Just a normal conversation with my partner here in Minneapolis these days.

Well, I'm home now. A huge snowstorm ripped through the BWCA, covering my site and all surrounding area in a foot of wet heavy snow. It buried and soaked any potential firewood. I had to evac. Was still very pretty.

Some last minute laundry and then heading up north! Going into the wilderness tomorrow morning. A little nervous but mostly hype!

Setting myself up for comfort. I'm packing this 30L gear crate FULL of just add water foods, snacks, seasonings, and such. Heading up tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my partner's birthday. (Yep, Valentine's baby) I am making us a veggie taco bar dinner and a homemade chocolate cherry cake. We'll also probably go for a hike earlier in the day. I'm excited!

A common muskrat at golden hour. #muskrat #mammals #wildlife #photography #nikon #minnesota

More partial desaturation. Meadow vole. #vole #mammals #wildlife #photography #nikon #minnesota

Playing with partial desaturation. White tailed deer. #deer #mammals #wildlife #photography #nikon #minnesota

I don't particularly believe that they will be ending the Minnesota surge, but if they do they will go somewhere else and terrorize them. Just as the rest of America stood with us during this time, Minnesota is ready to stand with their next target in support.

Humblebrag moment. I meticulously measured all of the photo gear I wanted to bring on this trip as well as potential future trips. I found exactly one case that seemed to fit the bill. It arrived today, and, well... I did pretty dang good at measuring.

Do the people who say the protesters are paid really not understand that we actually like and care about our neighbors and community? Like actually truthfully not get that?

Secured a watertight case for my photo gear. Looks like I will have the means to bring my camera body and a couple lenses on my trip!

My Chemical Warfare

All my emergency supplies arrived for my trip today. Hand warmers, space blanket, SAM splint, and a power bank. I'm about to solo camp for a week in the deep winter wilderness. Might be the most badass thing I have ever done. 11 more days until departure!

I think one thing people outside Minnesota don't understand is that after Good and Pretti were killed by feds while observing, the most normal people you could imagine have made peace with the fact that they could be next, and they are still out there because they say it's the right thing to do.

A Minnesotaism I'm just learning about is that the rest of the country calls a Norway Pine a Red Pine. I've heard it by both names, didn't realize Norway Pine is a state exclusive term. Next you're gonna tell me folks call a grey duck a goose...

Spent the day doing some food dehydration, cleaning, and making a veggie dumpling stew to share with my partner. This was a good downtime day. Back at it tomorrow.

Feeling better this morning and ready to handle the day. One foot in front of the other.

Had an anxiety attack today. First time in a long time. Trying very hard not to let everything get to me but it's been difficult.

He puts it so succinctly. Love from this Minneapolis gal, @mrcodydahler.bsky.social www.youtube.com/shorts/SfzuV...

Can we just have RT Rybak run for governor? Is that an option?

Scored my summer Boundary Waters trip permit this morning. I got my first option, which was risky. That EP only permits one group a day. We will be launching from Little Gabbro in early August.

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I've been working on getting set up for a longer winter hike-in camping trip. I'll be heading out in just a few short weeks. The actual duration of the trip is going to depend on how the weather pans out, but cloud be up to 5 days. And I'm doing this completely solo. How I've missed the woods.

Friends, I realize that this has not historically been an account to follow for politics. I had tried to stay away from posting political content as much as possible, because frankly I'm not the most reliable source for that info. 🧵

We're a little bit safer as a community now. I wish everyone in Minnesota a well deserved sleep tonight and I wish that Bovino randomly smells tear gas at inopportune times for the rest of his dishonorable retirement.

It's ok to not be ok. We help each other out. Take the pressure in shifts. Humans need rest. What is happening out there is a lot, but so is this community. Minnesota is home to millions of my friends whose names I don't know yet. I will support you at your highs and your lows.

ICE just executed an observer at 26th and Nicollet.

Ope, just gonna congregate by the thousands past ya. #ICEOut

The world needs to read this thread. This is what is actually happening here.

I've seen a lot of people outside of Minnesota asking what they can do to support us during this situation. I think the single best thing you can do is only buy from local-to-you businesses. Cut out the national chains. The money spent there is fueling this. Support your local community first.

Went to the Powderhorn Art Sled Rally with my partner today. That was a beautiful coming together of community that I felt like we all needed. Thank you Minneapolis, you are wonderful and loved.

I've been setting up safety systems for travel. I always tell two people where I am going, my route, when I'm leaving, and I make sure to let them know when I've arrived. It's given me peace of mind when going to the store or a friend's place during the occupation.

Stay salty Minnesota! The ice is melting. youtu.be/IS2TkdConpM

This is Minneapolis: Walk into my neighborhood ACE last night & see the signage on their door notifying fed agents that it’s private property and cannot be used for immigration enforcement. These signs are all over the city. Walk in & the nearest shelf has goggles & whistles.

Minneapolis, I want to suggest a cool piece of hiking gear: the Fox 40 safety whistle. Very easy to find model of safety whistle with a pea-less design that reaches 115 decibels. Thats loud! I bet you could hear that multiple city blocks away. Anyways, consider it for, you know, hiking.

Good. Get the fuck out of our city. www.kenklippenstein.com/p/immigratio...

Folks in other cities around the country, please take note. They will not stop in Minneapolis. Community organization stops armed masked thugs from abducting people. Get organizing now and be ready.

I am once again begging anyone who is coming in from out of town to cover what is happening in Minneapolis to remember that we live here and will continue to do so after you leave. This is our home. Sensationalism doesn't help US. The truth is bad enough.

My dad just texted and told me my mom is showing serious signs of dementia. I'm going to be offline for a bit while I navigate this. Be well everyone, and hug your loved ones.

It has been a surreal day here in Minneapolis. I've never seen the mood of an entire city change so sharply in unison. I'm proud of my community for standing up in the face of everything happening. Never thought I'd live in an occupied city before.

Fellow Minneapolis residents, be very safe today.

Happy New Year from Sadie and I!

Pretty winter goldenrod flowers. #nature #photography #macro #nikon

Playing around with a new macro lens. Here are some extreme closeups and a couple textures. #nature #photography #macro #nikon

After a long hike, the dogs decided to cuddle up on the couch together.

I am now helping to lead two queer-centric hiking clubs in the Twin Cities, working on organizing a greater outdoors club for Minnesota, and getting involved in a nature photography club. For as chaotic of a year as it was generally in the US, I'm doing alright at the end of it socially.

First night of hot tent camping was successful!