On Trail With Nibi Mocs

The 9th annual Rochester Sports & Vacation Show will take place on Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.

This is “Where Family Vacation Memories Begin”. The Rochester Sports & Vacation Show is southern Minnesota and northern Iowa’s Largest Outdoor Sports Show.

This years event features a variety of ATV, Marine and Camper dealers, presenting an assortment of ATV’s, Boats, Campers, RV’s, Travel Trailers and Truck Accessories.

This is the show where all your outdoor adventures can be made. An array of representatives from the U.S. and Canada will be available to discuss your next fishing, hunting, or camping adventure. Fishing Tackle retailers will also be available to make sure you have what you need on the water this year.

This is one of the largest outdoor educational events with 18 seminars on the schedule for this year. Featured speakers at this years event will include Bob & Ginny Riege, Food Plot Management by Kyle Thompson. Fishing Seminars for Muskie, Walleye and other fish species by Bob Riege, Ginny Riege, Scott Kleinschmidt, and TGIF Outfitters Bob Bott. Special to this years seminar schedule will be Fishing from Kayaks presented by Brad Nelson from Hi-Tempo Watersports and Boundary Waters Canoeing and Outdoor Photography by Larry Ricker from LHR Images.

Sharing the outdoors and fishing with family and friends can start by attending either the “Kids Clinics” at 5:30 P.M. on Friday or 11:00 A.M. on Saturday or the “Ladies, Lets Go Fishing” seminar at 6:30 P.M. on Friday. These seminars will be presented by Bob & Ginny Riege.

Show hours will be, Fri. 2-8pm Sat. 10am to 8pm and Sun. 10am to 4pm.

Admission $5.00 for adults. Children 12 and under Free.

This event offers free Ramp and Street parking on evenings and weekends.

Speaker Schedule

Due to a number of factors, it’s been tough for me to get out to shoot lately. I finally had an half hour available on the 19th. We’ve had a string of days with morning fog and hoar frost lately and the 19th was no exception. I headed to the Zumbro River, north of Elton Hills Drive figuring, correctly, that there would be some good images to be had there.

Here’s the scene from the Rec Center parking lot:

Nearby, I noticed these dead plants, covered in the frost.

I headed north on the bike path to the foot/bike bridge over the river. Here’s a view north from that bridge.

Another view from the bridge. I really liked that tree on the left — lots of character.

So… I took a photo of just the tree.

And then, incorporated it into another, wider view.

Looking back from the west end of the bridge, I really liked the reflections in the open water.

Another reflection as I headed back across the bridge.

Trudging through the snow, northwards on the east side of the river, I found a place I could get down nearly to the river level.

My half hour was almost up so I reluctantly headed back to my car.

Well, after receiving an inch of snow here, another couple there… we finally received our first “real” snowfall of the season last night. About 5-6 inches here in Rochester — ok, I know that’s still not a lot but… well… more than we had been receiving.

Of the 3 pups, Pip is the most comfortable in the snow and cold. Of course, he has the thickest coat and the most protected feet of the 3 so, it makes sense that he likes it the best.

He loves sticking his face in the snow, which means that he often gets his face covered. I ventured out with the camera today for a handful of shots.

Here’s the king of the snowballs, lying in the snow, looking at me.

Rosie doesn’t mind the snow in small doses. She enjoys bouncing and hopping in it… until she gets too cold…

Sam likes it least of all… so, I didn’t get a photo of him today. He didn’t mind the cold (as low as 5°F earlier on) when there wasn’t any snow, and didn’t mind the initial snowfall when the temperature was still relatively high. He definitely doesn’t like the snow and cold combination we’ve had lately though.

Here’s another, closer photo of Pip.

I also took some video today including all three of them. I might find time to share that with you as well within the next day or 2.

Ok, I know it’s nothing like other people around the nation have, and still are, experiencing. But, this is what I woke up to this morning!

I grabbed the camera and took a few shots in my neighborhood shortly after dawn.

I love when there’s still some fall color left when the snow starts flying!

Later, I took Sam and Pip to nearby Quarry Hill Park for their usual morning walk. It was beautiful! So, after taking them back home, I headed straight back with camera in hand. Unfortunately, a lot of the snow had melted by the time I got back. Still managed to find a few things to take photos of though.

I was particularly was looking for vestiges of fall and signs of winter together.

The transition has begun.

In contrast, just last Monday, I went canoeing at Chester Woods park. We’d had record breaking temperatures in the 70’s that day. Although windy, the paddle was very pleasant. I noted the fading colors in the fading light.

Transitions. We’ll have some fall weather, I’m sure. Winter has announced it’s impending arrival.

I went for another paddle yesterday. The lake was calm — smooth as glass. Of course, I had to visit the eagles. I think they’re getting used to me…. they were definitely cooperative. The 2 adults sat in one tree… not exactly side by side but close enough so I didn’t have to move between photographing each of them.

Across the lake, this year’s young one had left the nest, exploring the tree it resides in. It’s the first time I’d seen it out of the nest. Won’t be long now before it starts flying.

On the way back to the landing, I took a few photos in the fading light.

I sure do like having this place close by!