Share and Voice: Eco-Footprint

I saw this article and video on Northland's News Center website and thought it was really cool. It is similar to the building that we got to see at Bagley. I hope to build something like this hopefully in the future. Living comfortably and being green don't always go hand in hand but in this EDGE Home in Bayfield you'll find everything you need for comfort in a very small package. How this living space is kept comfortable in the winter makes it one of the greenest structures in the Northland. This EDGE Home by Revelations Architect costs only 30 dollars a month to heat and it has a unique way to adapt to the climate. On the North and South side of this building are giant sliding door which provide insulation to the interior while residents are away and for cold evenings. The home also has something called a butterfly roof which catches rainwater for re–use for use in the bathroom and kitchen. I found this very interesting and it's extremely efficient in cost as well as most importantly eco-friendly! You can check out the house and video at: (Small Carbon Footprint). 

Read 'n' Seed 4: Third Quarter of "Man vs. Wild"

1. For this quarter I read the next 64 pages which were pages 130-164. 
2. The main topics in the third quarter were: Surviving the jungles and deserts.
3. I've yet again learned a ton of vital and essential information on surviving some dangerous terrain; jungles and deserts. 

• Jungles: 
• Friend not Foe: Adapting to such an alien environment is a mental battle that must be won. Think of the jungle as your friend, not your enemy. It can provide everything you need to survive.
• Slow Down: Speed is not the way of the jungle. The faster you go, the quicker you'll fall. Move slowly and deliberately around obstacles, checking the undergrowths as you go. 
• Keep covered: The jungle's greatest danger is "death by a thousand cuts." Keep stings, bites, and scratches to a minimum from the outset and ensure your skin is covered.
• Sleep High: The jungle floor is a repository of creepy-crawlies. Always try to sleep on a raised platform or A-frame bed.
• Rivers: The sure way out of any jungle is by its rivers. Look for them, then follow them. They will eventually lead you to safety and civilization.
• Deserts: 
• Think Water: In the desert, dehydration is Public Enemy Number One. Don't waste a drop of water and make it your first priority to find.
• Keep Your Head Covered: In extreme heat, your head and neck will gain heat as fast as they lose it in freezing weather. Always keep them loosely covered.
• Find Shade: Nothing will make you dehydrate faster than direct exposure to the sun. Keep well covered and out of the sun and use the terrain and surrounding foliage to keep in the shade. 
• Don't Waste Energy: Any vigorous activity will make you sweat. In the heat of the day, don't exert yourself unless you are certain there is something to gain.
• Move Early or Late: If you are sure that moving on will help and you are confident of finding water, do so early or late, when the sun is less fierce, or under a full moon.

      4. I would continue for people to take away from this book that they have what it takes to survive in vast, dangerous, and unforgiving terrain. "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude of mind."-William James. By following these tips you do in fact have a chance of surviving any types of wilderness/terrain, especially the jungle or desert. 

New Header Linky

This is a picture that I shot while fishing on Lake Vermillion during the summer of 2008. I played around with the sharpness, temp, saturation, etc.... and came up with this image. I hope you guys like it!

Share and Voice: Lakewalk

I read a very interesting article regarding the lakewalk becoming more eco-friendly. The City of Duluth has been awarded a grant in the amount of $41,159 from the Department of Natural Resources Solar Legacy Grant Fund for the purpose of placing solar powered trash and recycling units along Duluth's Lakewalk. It is estimated over 1 million people use the Lakewalk annually, which contributes to the high volume of garbage, according to the City. The trash containers can hold up to 5 times as much as traditional containers. The units use solar energy to run a compactor that reduces the trash. The trash containers operate on about the same amount of energy as one Christmas-tree light. I found this information to be very beneficial and it's nice to see that our city is trying to do its part to make things more friendly to the environment. It was a breath of fresh air so to speak to hear about these efforts to go more green. Well done Duluth! You can read more on this topic at: (Lakewalk).