I had not been to Bay City Bay since January to photograph. Given the low water on the Mississippi River, I decided to go over and take a look. The weather this Spring was oddly warm; now the dog days of Summer have come and gone. The weather appears to be taken a turn for cooler. No complaints here.
We often hear about the “dog days” of summer but few know what the expression means. Some say that it signifies hot sultry days “not fit for a dog,” others suggest it’s the weather in which dogs go mad. The Dog Days of Summer describes the most oppressive period of summer, between July 3rd and August 11th each year. But where did the term come from? And what does it have to do with dogs?
The phrase is actually a reference to the fact that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. This is why Sirius is sometimes called the Dog Star.
In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun. On July 23rd, specifically, it is in conjunction with the Sun, and because the star is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it actually gave off heat and added to the Sun’s warmth, accounting for the long stretch of sultry weather.
Thus, the term Dog Days of Summer came to mean the 20 days before and 20 days after this alignment of Sirius with the Sun—July 3 to August 11 each year. – Farmers Almanac
These photos where taken August 30th 2021. You can really see how low the water is given the drought throughout most of the Summer. The Algae is rather prolific as well.
The recent rains have not made an impact on the water level on the Mississippi River. The satellite image gives you a sense of where the water line typically is. I haven’t seen the water this low ever.
After consulting The Photographer’s Ephemeris and Skyfire app it appeared as though there would be a great chance for some color at sunrise this morning at one of my favorite locations – Bay City.
While driving from Red Wing to Bay City, my optimism for color was not increasing. When I arrived at the Bay City campground, there was a bit of color on the horizon out over the bay.
iPhone photo
As you can see from the above photo, the cloud cover was dominating the scene. Even though it was in the single digits and quite cold, I stuck around. Clouds can shift and conditions can change rapidly. I capture three different [mostly gray] panorama via my drone.
I am always fascinated by the patterns in the snow and ice.
It didn’t look like the sunrise was going to amount to much. I put my drone away, but hung around a little longer. The sun tried a bit more to break through, but didn’t really completely. I took a couple photos with my iPhone and then there was nothing but gray.
iPhone photoiPhone photo
How Skyfire app works
Skyfire forecasts are displayed as a map overlay with varying colors to indicate the type of conditions and forecast probability of a colorful sunrise or sunset. Colorful conditions arise when there are clouds in the sky that are underlit by the sun when it is near the horizon.
Although it is possible to see colorful clear skies, these colors are typically associated with twilight conditions (such as the ‘Belt of Venus’ or the deep blue/orange colors of nautical twilight). Skyfire forecasts do not cover these phenomena.
Clear skies, that is, where there are expected to be no clouds to underlight, are not assigned a color. Cloudy, overcast conditions, where the extent of the clouds precludes the chance for underlighting, are shown as white.
When cloud cover is broken, or lies at the edge of a weather front, there is a chance of colorful underlighting. The probability of a colorful sunrise or sunset developing is indicated on a color spectrum ranging from blue/green to red, where the redder the color, the higher the probability, as shown in the table below:
Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located on the south side of Glacier Creek, about two miles south of the Hollowell turnoff. The half-mile walk around the lake is wheelchair accessible and features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak. The lake is popular for Brook trout fishing.
The area is named after Abner Sprague, who started a homestead there in 1874. Later, he opened a lodge for dude ranching, hunting, and fishing. To improve the fishing, he dammed the far end of the lake. The area became part of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 and continued to serve guests as the Sprague Hotel. In 1919, guests paid $6.00 per room with a private bath, and $1.00 for regular meals. The hotel, which no longer exists, stood near the present-day parking lot.
~Wikipedia
Our recent visit in September 2020 was not typically. Wildfires were burning in several areas across Colorado; including in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). We were in Denver a few days prior waiting on the snow storm to roll in an hopefully dampen the fire some. I think it helped, but no near enough. We were not entirely sure we would be able to enter the park as result.
My wife and I really enjoy our visits to Colorado. We are fond of RMNP and the Sprague Lake area. Since being married here in 2013, we make every effort to return whenever in the area. This last trip wasn’t all that different than the November day in 2013 when we both said “I do.” There was more snow this time and the
lake wasn’t frozen over. The trail around the lake is very easy to navigate and the views are beautiful; even with the clouds obscuring the view of the mountains.
This overlook is placed within the most colorful portion of Badlands geology. Yellow, purple, gray, and striped reddish beds display the sequence of Yellow Mounds, the Interior Paleosol, Chadron, and Brule formations respectively, from bottom to top. ~National Park Service
The yellow mounds were formed when the sea drained, leaving the black ocean mud exposed to air. These formations are some of the oldest in the park. Both sides of the road offer jaw-dropping views. Catch a sunset here to watch all the colors light up. ~https://www.midwestliving.com/
This is one of my favorite overlooks in the park for all the reason mentioned above. Our visit to Dillon Pass in September 2020 during the pandemic was extra special. Shortly after we arrived we discovered there was a coyote on the hunt.
The layers of sediment are fascinating and natural colors quite beautiful.
Further along the loop just past the Conata Basic Overlook we were treated to an encounter with Bighorn sheep.
Beautiful views from Burns Basin Overlook. I always enjoy this park; even though this was just a drive through-quick visit on our way home from Custer.
The Wind River is a minor tributary of the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin in the United States. It flows for its entire 9.0-mile (14.5 km) length in western Pierce County. It rises in the town of Trimbelle and flows southward through the towns of Oak Grove and Diamond Bluff. Wind River joins the Mississippi near the unincorporated community of Diamond Bluff, which is within the larger jurisdiction (the town). ~wikipedia
I’ve driven past Wind River on Highway 35 thousands of times and never really gave it much thought. It’s rather small and not particularly picturesque from the the highway. You can bet a better look at in along 1005th Street. The view from the air provides an entirely different perspective. There are so many of these little pristine spring-fed streams and rivers feeding into the mighty Mississippi.
Horizon to Horizon PanoramaWind River Delta @ Mississippi RiverVertical PanoramaThe view from Wind River Valley facing South; beyond the main channel of the Mississippi River toward Sturgeon Lake and Treasure Island
Some additional view of sandbars in the backwaters of the area
A French settler, Monte Diamond, named the community after the area’s limestone bluffs. The unincorporated community of Diamond Bluff is located along highway 35, the Great River Road, on the mighty Mississippi River.
Looking West from Diamond Bluff. Treasure Island Casino and the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant is off in the the distance.
Looking East at Diamond Bluff
Mid-river views
Vertical panorama, up river with post sunset colors on the horizon
Hunter’s Point Park is a special place to Copper Harbor residents as well as visitors to the area. Access to the point was in jeopardy a few of years ago when a development company purchased it along with the surrounding property. It is now a Township Park and continues to be open to the public.
Hunter’s Point is bursting with natural wonders. Flora is abundant; wildflowers, lichen, mosses, cedars, hardwoods and pines. Otters, martins, beavers, deer, squirrels, chipmunks and various other wildlife enjoy the area too. The geological formations are special on the point. The basalt in this area is the oldest rock on earth-essentially, the earths crust. It’s like a window to the past.
Add Hunter’s Point Park and other attractions to your Copper Harbor trip itinerary using our Copper Harbor route maker tool.
~www.inspirock.com
Hunters Point park is just under a 10 acre parcel of land with 4000+ feet of shoreline. It is a great spot to explore and stretch your legs. There are interesting rock formations to examine and lots of birds and other wildlife scurrying about.
The upper peninsula of Michigan is a splendor of color to behold in the Autumn season. It was also windy when we were there. I didn’t get to fly my drone as much as I would have liked, but did manage to get in the air a few time when the wind calmed down for a moment. Hunters Point was one of those calms spots…for a moment.
The Garden of the Gods’ red rock formations were created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago. Archaeological evidence shows that prehistoric people visited Garden of the Gods about 1330 BC. At about 250 BC, Native American people camped in the park. They are believed to have been attracted to wildlife and plant life in the area and used overhangs created by the rocks for shelter. Many native peoples have reported a connection to Garden of the Gods, including Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pawnee, Shoshone, and Ute people.
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In 1879 Charles Elliott Perkins purchased 480 acres of land that included a portion of the present Garden of the Gods. Upon Perkins’ death, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909, with the provision that it would be a free public park. Palmer had owned the Rock Ledge Ranch and upon his death it was donated to the city.
In 1995 the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center was opened just outside the park. ~wikipedia
Our visit to Garden of the Gods in early September 2020 was a bit hazy. The smoke from the all of the wild fires were blowing South in the general vicinity of the National Natural Landmark. Even though the views were somewhat obscured, they were beautiful.
The park features 21 miles of hiking trails to explore. However; given the fires in the mountains, this recreation area was jammed full of people. We spent some time hiking around keeping our distance from other in the era of Covid. It was nice to be outdoors in the early hours of a warm Fall day. The view of the beautiful red rock formations, flora and fauna were a welcome change from being in our home office.
“You wind among rocks of every conceivable and inconceivable shape and size… all bright red, all motionless and silent, with a strange look of having been just stopped and held back in the very climax of some supernatural catastrophe.” ~Helen Hunt Jackson
I have been thinking about starting to smoke again; it’s been far too long without a proper smoker. I’ve made due smoke grilling ribs on a Weber kettle, but it just isn’t the same. I have made and bought all sorts of smokers over the years. The first few I made from old freezer units with a hotplate for heat/smoke sources. I experimented with charcoal and wood burning in an offset chamber as well. They all worked incrementally better as I gained more experience.
Bradley electric smoker
My last smoker though was a Bradley electric. It had a pretty slick wood biscuit feeder system. You could smoke for hours; eventually the discard pan would run over. I smoked a lot of homemade venison sausage and jerky in that unit. I didn’t care much for all the plastic in build though and eventually the plastic around the temp control broke.
After that mishap, it was just the Weber and smoke/grilling pork baby back ribs for a long while. Fast-forward ten or so years; It was time to get another smoker. I’ve done lots of research and have read posts from one end of the Interwebs to the other. There is quite a variety of smokers out there: bullet charcoal smokers, barrel and drum charcoal smokers, offset side firebox charcoal smokers, cabinet style charcoal smokers, Kamado, egg, and ceramic smoker/grills, propane gas smokers, pellet smoker/grills – the list goes on.
Electric Smoker
I had my eye on another electric smokers. This time I would look for something with a more quality metal build. Theelectricsmoker.com listed a total of three Masterbuilt smokers in their top 10 list, two of which were #1 and #2. I did a bit more research and liked what I
Wood chip port
saw. Reasonable price point and the build quality seem to be better than the other electric I had used. I especially liked the side port for adding wood chips. The one issue I read about with these smokers is that the digital control units were flaky at best – a lot of people commented on this. Sure there were likely thousands of people that had no issues, but that isn’t my luck. I would get a flaky one and I just don’t want to deal with that. I looked to the analog electric version, but that didn’t have the side port on it; I’d have to open the door to refill. I was thoroughly disappointed at this point and began to look at others makes/models of smokers.
Propane Smoker
Masterbuilt 340G open
I was set on an upright cabinet smoker. Given the reviews, I went back to Masterbuilt to take another look and started to look at their propane line. One of my homemade smokers had a propane burner in and it worked pretty well from what I recall. The Masterbuilt 340G40″ ThermoTemp XL smoker caught my eye. I immediately noticed that there was a separate firebox door
from the smoking cabinet. When you open the firebox door, the attached wood chip tray swings out
Masterbuilt 340G 40″ ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker
for quick/easy filling. I really like the propane tank bracket on the right side as well. This was an easy choice for my next smoker. Sold. After approximately 2 hours of assembly time and a 3 hour seasoning Saturday evening I was readying to go for Sunday morning.
First Cook
I prepared a selection of chicken legs, rack of pork baby back ribs and small brisket. Chicken legs were rubbed with a creation of mine – little something I call Magic Sprinkle. It’s great on a hard boiled egg, steamed vegetables, avocados and it makes a nice rub for any sort of meat. It has six ingredients: white pepper, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and dried cilantro leaves.
Mesquite smoked chicken
The baby back ribs rub is one I’ve created over the years; it shares some of the ingredients of Magic Sprinkle plus a few more. It consists of: onion powder, garlic powder, Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, paprika, dried cilantro leaves, cumin, white pepper, black pepper and Mrs. Dash original blend.
Mesquite smoked baby back ribs
The brisket was rubbed with Weber Steak ‘N Chop seasoning and black pepper.
Mesquite smoked brisket
Mesquite smoked brisket
Overall I am very pleased with the results. Looking forward to the next smoke event.
