Shooting Stars And Milky Ways And Alcohol

Photographing the night sky was always something I thought required a professional-grade camera, an $8,000 f/1.8 lens, and otherworldly editing skills. It was something I rarely attempted because my photos were shit compared to other shots I’ve seen. Everything was always either blurry or over-exposed or under-exposed or just bad. Sometimes all three, against all odds. Then I was drunk at a bachelor party the … Continue reading Shooting Stars And Milky Ways And Alcohol

kurtstafkiAugust 15, 2017

Biking, Camping, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Skiing

Get Uncomfortable

At a certain point, I lost count of the times something didn’t go right. Navigating three feet of powder on a mountain side with cross-country skis strapped to numb feet seven miles from the nearest road; losing footing while trying to cross a river in waist-deep, snowmelt raging water; finishing your last water bottle in 104F heat 17 miles from the car on a bike. You … Continue reading Get Uncomfortable

kurtstafkiDecember 5, 2016

Camping, Hiking

A Little Bit Foggier Now

Trips can go according to plan. Most often, they don’t (and that’s what makes them fun), but sometimes they do. This was one of those times. On a trip to Tettegouche State Park last summer, I was greeted by a fog rolling off the water. Lake Superior is a frigid, frigid being. It’s rare that the water is warmer than the air this time of … Continue reading A Little Bit Foggier Now

kurtstafkiSeptember 25, 2016September 25, 2016

Biking, Camping, Fly Fishing

2015

Or, Why I am Looking Forward to 2016. I started writing this post in the passenger seat of my Subaru on January 1 while speeding back to Minnesota from Big Sky, Montana. Now it is two weeks later and I’ve had more time to think about 2015 and the year ahead. We had a good year, 2015. A great 12 months. I fished in four … Continue reading 2015

kurtstafkiJanuary 16, 2016January 16, 20161 Comment

Camping

The Fancy Hatchet Trick

You can pick up a hatchet for $12 at your local hardware store. It has a nice wooden handle and will chop wood and hammer things and make your arm sore if you use it too much. You can buy a fancy hatchet online for $150. It has a colorful red wooden handle and it will chop wood and hammer things and make your arm … Continue reading The Fancy Hatchet Trick

kurtstafkiOctober 27, 2015

Biking, Camping

Afton Overnighter

Thirty-five miles separate my house in south Minneapolis and the campground of Afton State park. The road between rides the Mississippi River, before crossing farmland to the St. Croix River, which hugs the park. Most know of Afton because of the ski hill. Fewer know of it because of the golf course. Even fewer know of it because of the stellar state park. I’m OK … Continue reading Afton Overnighter

kurtstafkiSeptember 30, 2015

Camping, Fly Fishing

Temperance

Deep in the Superior National Forest is a tiny campground on the Temperance River. It has nine campsites, gets foggy when the temperature and dew point are just right and has some seriously spoiled chipmunks. This is where we stayed. With the exception of canoe-toting SUVs, the dirt road passing by the campground was quiet. We watched a storm roll in while playing cribbage and … Continue reading Temperance

kurtstafkiSeptember 9, 2015September 9, 2015

Camping

Minnesota State Parks Poster

The state park often takes a back seat to the national park. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc. are all regarded as the ultimate places to experience nature. While none can/should argue the unique beauty of the national park, none can/should argue the equally unique beauty of the state park. These are places that don’t require a drive across the country to visit. Only have two days … Continue reading Minnesota State Parks Poster

kurtstafkiJune 19, 2015June 25, 2015

Biking, Camping

Carver Park S24O

The 30 miles each way from my place in south Minneapolis to Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, Minn. is almost entirely on bicycle trails. The exceptions being the two miles from the house to the Greenway and a couple blocks in downtown Hopkins. This makes Carver Park Reserve a popular destination for bike campers. We loaded up our bikes with our gear the night before. … Continue reading Carver Park S24O

kurtstafkiJune 17, 2015June 25, 2015

Camping

Hipcamp Adds Minnesota

The barrier of entry for the inexperienced outdoorsman to spend time in nature is too high. Where do I go? What gear do I need? How much gear should I bring? Do I need to make a reservation? Who do I call? What should I do if my main plan falls through and I’m stuck in the woods with no place to stay? The good … Continue reading Hipcamp Adds Minnesota

kurtstafkiJune 16, 2015June 16, 2015

Birch & Flannel

A Northern Take On Fly Fishing, Beer, And All Things On Two Wheels

Category: Camping

Shooting Stars And Milky Ways And Alcohol

Get Uncomfortable

A Little Bit Foggier Now

2015

The Fancy Hatchet Trick

Afton Overnighter

Temperance

Minnesota State Parks Poster

Carver Park S24O

Hipcamp Adds Minnesota