Author: michaeljordahl

Retired Miner, loves science, reading, carving, walking, recovering alcoholic

The Mesabi Trail

michaeljordahl's avatarmichaeljordahl

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Winding through the heart of the Mesabi Iron Range in Northeast Minnesota, the Mesabi Trail provides close encounters with nature for joggers, cyclists, and walkers like me. When completed, the trail will have 145 miles of paved paths from Grand Rapids to Ely, with several spurs through the picturesque woodlands and around the old, historic iron-ore pits.

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A three-mile loop encircles the St. James pit just north of our little mining town, Aurora.

A casual stroll around the pit is the perfect way to spend a beautiful summer afternoon, and I thought I’d share a few pics I’ve taken on my walks.

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A spiderweb along the path is heavy with dew in the fresh morning air.

A walk into the woods of Northern Minnesota can be breath-taking, but sometimes we’re reminded that nature can be brutal as well. With no hunting on the ubiquitous mining property, deer populations soar, and…

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lonesome road

thumbin

out of gas and feeling low

walking down this lonesome road

I’m eating dust and swallowing my pride,

I need a lift to get some gas

but all the cars are going past

so I’m walking down the road

and thumbing for a ride.

inspired by a farmer’s dog

I drop my thumb and start to jog

but which is worse, I really can’t decide,

I couldn’t run for very far

so I sacrificed my candy bar

now I’m walking down the road

and thumbing for a ride.

it’s sunday morn and church is out

and now here comes all thee devout

but when they left the church

they forgot what they learned inside,

for their big warm smiles are real nice

but their hearts must be as cold as ice

so I’m walking down the road

and thumbing for a ride.

 

gift

devil 2

in the mirror of truth

when we come face to face

with the devil that hides

in our most sacred place

we will have to admit

we portrayed an illusion

and now we can’t help

but to see our delusion

yet it comes with a gift

having seen our true selves

for at last now we see

the true everyone else

 

 

souls

souls 2

crystal balls

fall all around

and shatter

as they strike

the ground

while silently

we march

en masse

o’er bloody

drifts of

broken glass

 

how beautiful

the crystal sphere

a perfect orb

so pure and clear

yet hold a shard

up to the sun

and rainbows

shine on

everyone

 

(orig. posted 4-16)

cosmic dream

irreg gal

in my mind’s eye

i catch the solar wind

and sail the cosmic stream

i pass by great port cities

burning through the night

a billion lights agleam

standing on this ebon bow

silently i sail the stream

beyond these cosmic ports

within this cosmic dream