Film Review - They Shall Not Grow Old

A few months ago, I met some British people on one of my naturalist activities.  They found out about my love of history, and recommended a film called They Shall Not Grow Old.

The film was directed and produced by Peter Jackson.  He was able to access film and audio recordings relating to World War One, and put them together in an amazing way.

The silent black and white footage showed life at the beginning of the war, and footage of the front lines.  It was meticulously restored and colorized.  Realistic sound effects were added, included the speech of those filmed.  Lip readers read the words, and actors from the army unit's region were used to voice the lines for the film.

Throughout the film were stories from the veterans themselves.  I found out in the extra features that those were recordings of the actual veterans made in the 1960s.

There were also some still shots of drawings done for a magazine during the war to fill in the things (such as hand to hand combat) that could not be filmed during the battle.

The film was very graphic.   It would be impossible to accurately depict that war without being graphic.  This is definitely not a film for kids, as it would likely give them nightmares.

I think adults should see the film because I am a firm believer that we should all know our history.  We should learn from the good and bad parts of our story.  That way, we can repeat some fo the good things, and avoid repeating the bad parts.

They Shall Not Grow Old was humbling, sad, and amazing.  I'm glad I watched it, and grateful that I did not directly experience the war to end all wars.  I've always had a huge amount of respect for veterans, and this film made me respect their sacrifices even more.

Recommendations - Audiobooks

In this time of sheltering in place, I decided to write about some of my favorite books and films.  Hopefully, they will help you get through this time.

I enjoy the audiobook format for both the writing and the performances.  Here are some of the audiobooks I enjoyed in recent years:

• Code Girls by Lisa Mundy (History)
• The King's Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi (History)
• The Beautiful Brain by Hana Walker-Brown (Science)
• Dream More by Dolly Parton (Inspirational)
• Medical School for Everyone: Emergency Medicine by Roy Benaroch (The Great Courses)
• Gut by Giulia Enders (Science)
• A Grown-Up Guide to Dinosaurs by Ben Garrod (Science)
• The Next Pandemic by Ali Khan and William Patrick (Science and History)
• The Mystic School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury (Young Adult)
• Leadership by Doris Kearns Goodwin (History)
• Berlin 1961 by Frederick Kempe (History)
• Climbing with Mollie by William Finnegan (Family)
• The Unteachables by Gordon Korman (Young Adult)
• Interview with the Robot by Lee Bacon (Young Adult)
• Medical School for Everyone: Pediatrics Grand Rounds by Roy Benaroch (The Great Courses)
• Alone with the Stars by David R. Gillham (Historical Fiction)
• Our Harlem by Marcus Samuelsson (History and Culture)
• A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa (History)
• Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen (Historical Fiction)
• The Ravenmaster by Christopher Skaife (Nature and History)
• Devotion by Adam Makos (History)
• A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin
• The Miracle of Dunkirk by Walter Lord

My goal is to write in depth reviews of several of these works.  I'm also planning on reviewing some regular books, films, and television shows.

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Winter Driving on the Gunflint Trail

Driving on the Gunflint Trail in the winter can be challenging.  In recent months, I have seen people engaging in many dangerous practices which put their life, and the lives of others at risk.  As a member of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, I have seen the results of this carelessness, and know that many of those accidents could have been prevented.  Here are some basic tips of how to drive safely on the Gunflint Trail in the winter:

1. Don't drink and drive in a car or snowmobile!  In the state of Minnesota, if you get caught over the legal limit drinking and driving, drinking and snowmobiling, or drinking and boating, you lose the right to do any of those activities.  Many of the worst accidents I have responded to have involved alcohol.

2. Remember that your 4-wheel or all-wheel drive can get you going faster, but your brakes don't work any better.  If the conditions dictate it, drive slower.

3. If you are driving slower, and there is a line up behind you, pull over in a parking lot, turnaround, or side road to let them pass.  People generally don't mind if you drive slow, but they may not want to follow you for 40 or 50 miles at that speed.

4. If you see an animal or some beautiful scenery, look behind you before you put on the brakes!  I have had multiple cars slam on their brakes in front of me this past year and nearly cause an accident.  The first time I was driving a red fire truck with the emergency lights on, when someone saw a moose, and slammed on their brakes in front of me.

5. Follow other cars at "country distance" instead of "city distance."  In the rural areas, we give the vehicles about 3 times the distance as in the city.  When I had vehicles slam on their brakes in front of me, any one of those incidents could have resulted in an accident if I had been following at "city distance."

6. Don't stop in the middle of the road.  There are plenty of spots to pull off the road if you want to get pictures.

Picture from Gunflint Lake Scenic Overlook Parking Lot

Gunflint and Magnetic Lakes from the Gunflint Lake Scenic Overlook Parking Lot

7. Don't stop in the middle of a curve or on a hill.  Other cars will not have the time to stop if the drivers do not see you until the last second.

8. Don't come up the Gunflint Trail with bad tires.  It doesn't matter if you have 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive if your tires cannot grip the road.  I started out a winter with worn tires once, and it made a huge difference.  Shortly after the first winter driving conditions, I went to Duluth to get some new tires, making the driving much safer and more relaxing.

9. Put your phone away and enjoy the scenery.  American cell phone service disappears as you pass the George Washington Pines just outside of Grand Marais.  If you pick up a signal after that, you will be paying international rates since your signal is bouncing off the Canadian towers.  Besides, it is illegal to make calls on anything but a hands-free device while driving in Minnesota.

10. If you see emergency lights, be prepared to stop!  Please keep first responders and others at an accident scene safe!  Since the Gunflint Trail is only a 2-lane road, there will most likely be someone stopping you if there is an emergency incident.  Have patience, we will let you continue your drive as soon as it is safe.

Magnetic Rock in the Winter

Monday was a beautiful day on the Gunflint Trail, so I decided to take Ellie on a snowshoe hike to Magnetic Rock.  The sky was a deep blue, and the temperature started at about ten above, and ended at about two below zero Fahrenheit.

It was the first time I hiked on snowshoes with Ellie.  I tried walking in front, but Ellie kept stepping on the back of my snowshoes, so she ended up in front a little ways into the hike.

The snow off trail was deep, and the trail was relatively hard packed.  I probably could have gone without the snowshoes, but it is better to bring them along when you don't know the snow conditions.

Magnetic Rock and Border Route Trailhead

Magnetic Rock Trail First Pond

Ellie on the Trail

After about an hour of hiking, we came to Magnetic Rock.  It was shortly before sunset, so there was a nice golden glow over everything.

Magnetic Rock with the Setting Sun

Magnetic Rock

Ellie at Magnetic Rock

 Magnetic Rock is actually magnetic.  It contains magnetite, the most magnetic of the iron ores.  Compass needles are also made out of magnetite.

There are a plethora of lichens on Magnetic Rock.  Lichens are 3 forms of life living together symbiotically.  One part is a larger fungus.  The second part is algae or cyanobacteria.  Part three is a yeast type fungus.  The cyanobacteria or algae provides sugars/carbohydrates as a byproduct of photosynthesis, and the fungi provide mineral nutrients and a home outside of the water.  Lichens are a great bioindicator, since they are so sensitive to pollution.

Snow and Lichens of Magnetic Rock

 The last picture shows ice and lichens on Magnetic Rock.  Can you see which one is which?  The white on the peak is mostly ice, and the bottom 2/3 is mostly lichen.

Magnetic Rock

To get to Magnetic Rock, drive up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais for about 50 miles.  You will pass the South Gunflint Lake, North Gunflint Lake, and Warren's (Gunflint Narrows) roads on your right before passing the Round Lake Road on your left.  About 100 yards beyond the Round Lake Road on the left will be the Kekekabic Trailhead.  In about 100 more yard on your right will be the Magnetic Rock about Border Route Trailhead.  There is a small plowed parking lot in which to leave your car.

Bring snowshoes, water, sunglasses/goggles, snow boots, layers of clothing, and your camera.  Plan two to three hours for this moderately difficult hike.

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving.  It is a time to make great memories, spend time with friends, and spend time with family.  If you work in the hospitality industry (like I do), it is another work day with a large meal at the end.  It is also a day to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives.

I'm thankful for: an amazing family; friends old and new; pets past and present; being able to live and work in such a beautiful place; funny moments; music that moves me to the soul; the amazing work my relatives have done with the Hope for Annabel organization; the birth of my niece; the ability to play music with some great friends this summer; volunteers; Christmas with my family; learning to make lefse with my family; people who put their lives on the line to save others (military, firefighters, law enforcement, and medical responders); the honor to serve on the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department for the 15 years; 10 years as a host on the WTIP Radio Station; great stories; learning something new every day; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter; canoeing and kayaking in the summer; a passion for birding; road trips; audio books; native plants; interesting geology; the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings; living in a free country; camping; scientific advances; the beauty of Lake Superior; great food; Irish tea; house plants in the winter; wind chimes; great hikes; Celtic Music; Classic Country Music; Gospel Music; Folk Music; Christmas Carols; Concordia College in Moorhead; great vacations; a passion for learning history; family recipes; being a part of the Grand Marais Writers' Guild; good movies, and so many great memories with my family and friends.

This list is in no particular order.  It is by no means complete.  I encourage all of you to make a list of blessings in your lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hike to Two Step Falls and High Falls on the Baptism River

The North Shore of Lake Superior is full of surprises.  I've lived near this Great Lake for over 17 years, and still find many hidden treasures.

I have been visiting Tettegouche State Park for longer than I have lived here, but always went to see either the mouth of the Baptism River, or Palisade Head (both of which I highly recommend).  This summer, on a whim, I changed from walking to the river mouth to taking the hiking trail inland to see the High Falls on the Baptism River.  Upon arriving at this gorgeous waterfall, I had to ask myself why I had never come before, and why I left my camera in the car.

A few weeks ago, I decided to take my boxer Ellie for a walk to both the Two Step Falls, and the High Falls.  I parked in a small lot just beyond the Tettegouche State Park Visitor's Center, grabbed the dog and the camera, and hiked the relatively long, muddy trail to each of the falls.

The first falls I came to was Two Step Falls.  There  are a lot of stairs to traverse to get down to the river at that point, but it was worth it.

Two Step Falls on the Baptism River

Ellie the Boxer Enjoying Two Step Falls

After viewing the Two Step Falls, we climbed back up to the main trail.  The two people who ascended the stairs before us were sprawled out on the bench at the top.  In my life as a naturalist, I am blessed with plenty of exercise on hills, so the climb didn't really bother me.  However, if you live a sedentary life, you might want to skip the Two Step Falls, and go right for the High Falls.

A short hike brought us to the High Falls on the Baptism River.  It is 70-feet tall, and is the tallest waterfall fully in Minnesota.  The High Falls on the Pigeon River is taller, but half of it is in Ontario, Canada.

High Falls on the Baptism River

Frozen Spray from the Waterfall

High Falls on the Baptism River

The path I took to these falls was a little over 3-miles round trip, and by many standards, it was a strenuous hike.  If you are looking for a shorter hike, you can park at the trailhead parking lot closer to the campground.

I am sure the hike looks different from a few weeks ago.  We are in the midst of a snowstorm in Northern Minnesota, which has already given us at least 6 inches of snow on the ground, with more coming down.

50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing

50-years ago today, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin set foot on the Moon, while Michael Collins circled overhead in the Columbia.  The goal of getting to the Moon by the end of the decade and returning safely to the Earth had been set by President John F. Kennedy on May 25, 1961, only 20-days after the first American (Alan B. Shepard) had flown in space.  Approximately 400,000 employees and 20,000 industrial firms and universities worked together to make this goal a reality.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we worked together that well again today!