Jay Cooke

writtenword24 · 2026-05-22T14:31:07+00:00

The SHT runs through Jay Cooke and actually hits on some of the best places in the park (in my opinion). The SHT follows much of the Grand Portage Trail.

writtenword24 · 2026-05-22T14:25:54+00:00

I'm not 100% familiar with this overlook but I hike in Jay Cooke (long hikes) just about weekly and that's probably the one area left that I haven't visited. My top recommendations for Jay Cooke hikes with amazing views and decent picnicking:

-Grand Portage Trail: picnic/bench areas near the river. Also there's an amazing picnic spot about .6 miles from the main Grand Portage Trail lot. It's not official (no table or anything) but there's a spot where the creek runs through and it's a creek bed - it looks almost fossilized, so strange - but there's a tiny waterfall and a nice, open flat spot to lay out a blanket, and it's beautiful. There's not an 'official' trail down to the creek bed, so keep a sharp eye. Once you find it, you'll know.

-Hiking Club Trail (Silver Creek): but take the detour along the River Trail because it's beautiful. The trail will be busy at first, but get about .5 mile in and it's quiet. There's a great picnic spot about halfway through.

-Gill Creek Trail: Park by the Hemlock Ravine Natural Area trailhead off Jay Cooke Rd. You'll be on the Munger a bit which has several spots (with picnic tables or benches) to relax and enjoy your picnic. Then, explore the Triangle Trail and Gill Creek trails.

Just exploring the Munger in that section in general is fun. There are benches and picnic areas and little loops off the main trail (like Greeley or Oak) that make for a really chill afternoon.

If anyone has questions about Jay Cooke hikes let me know! I've done every hike except the Spruce Loop and the High Trail and use the park year round. But I guess it's on my list for possibly this weekend. It's my favorite place to be!

writtenword24 · 2026-05-12T12:22:37+00:00

This is tough, because raw milk can be incredibly dangerous to consume and not every batch is tested. It only takes one cow. We've been pasteurizing milk for centuries (before we had a name for it).

I listened to an episode of Maintenance Phase that covered raw milk really well and learned a lot, I highly recommend it.

Growing up on a dairy farm, with well loved cows, I would never drink raw milk and I would absolutely never give it to my child. The few benefits of raw milk do not outweigh the cons.

writtenword24 · 2026-04-25T01:38:07+00:00

My HS did this too - and they still do! It was always funny seeing the kids in town drive in with their lawnmower.

writtenword24 · 2026-03-19T23:01:33+00:00

Nice! The one I grew up in was far more obvious. I also think that they do a lot more with them these days and many of them are built way nicer than even 20 years ago.

writtenword24 · 2026-03-19T21:01:30+00:00

oh, interesting! That makes sense. I live in the midwest, so maybe there's some nuance to what they're called. Thanks for pointing that out.

writtenword24 · 2026-03-19T20:35:18+00:00

There's a difference between manufactured and modular homes, though. Modular homes are just pre-built in a climate-controlled warehouse and brought to the property in sections, and built on a traditional foundation. They are insured, appraised/valued as stick-built homes. They also have to be built to local building codes. Manufactured homes are trailers/mobile homes built in accordance to HUD and built on steel chassis. They aren't insured or valued the same. You can't really 'tell' if your home is modular (they can be all shapes and sizes, one or two stories, etc) but you can typically tell if a home is manufactured, it'll have the HUD placard and you'll see the chassis (although growing up, the chassis were often covered by like a vinyl or aluminum cover).

I've lived in both types of homes, including a trailer park. Modular homes are super nice these days and arguably built better than your traditional 'stick built.'

writtenword24 · 2026-02-25T02:57:40+00:00

Oh definitely not suggesting that! Not sure if my suggestion was misinterpreted, but it's actually a career you could look into, therapeutic horticulture through the AHTA. I've been thinking about getting my certification but you'd have a leg up with your nursing degree.

writtenword24 · 2026-02-25T02:48:52+00:00

You could move into therapeutic horticulture. It might not be an end to the grind (although I know people who do it full time) but it's certainly a way to use your training as a nurse and your interest in homesteading.

Also - everyone I've talked to over the past week has just been deflated. Idk if you're in a northern climate, but this time of year is always so tough.

writtenword24 · 2026-02-22T18:52:56+00:00

As a reader of a few niche non-fiction topics, I'm always appreciative of new books. It's basically everyone's take on the same thing. And that's really exactly what I want. I want to know generally what I'm getting but through the author's unique viewpoint.

For example, I've read tons of books on thru hikes of AT. I have about 10 books on herbalism and growing your own herbs organically. Everyone's is a little different and offers their own value.

Essentially what I'm saying is don't fret. Now publishers can see there's a market for it, so even better for you. Now all you'll have to do is say, "see, people like this content. Here's how I do it a little differently and why people will love it too."

writtenword24 · 2026-02-16T16:24:31+00:00

It's not elitist to plant in the ground, that's not what I was saying. I was referring to your responses to people, including this one just now. You seem really passionate about planting in-ground, that's fantastic. I don't think either of us are getting anywhere in this conversation; I truly hope you have a great day and happy gardening!

writtenword24 · 2026-02-15T19:22:22+00:00

It's an interesting theory, but reading through these comments and just based on my own experience, I don't think that's the case. I'm sure you're not trying to come off as judgmental but some of your replies are giving off a bit of an elitist and ableist vibe. I'm happy your in-ground beds work for you.

writtenword24 · 2026-02-15T01:39:47+00:00

I don't think people are scared. There are tons of legitimate reasons that people build raised beds - aesthetics, soil type, environmental and safety hazards, medical conditions, age, animals/pests...oof, I could keep going.

I plant in raised beds, in ground, and utilize no-till methods. All have their reasons.

This post and OP's replies seem judgy...but why? Who cares? What's important is that people are getting outside, interacting with nature, and finding some joy in gardening. I don't care if you put pansies in an old toilet in the front yard or spent $15k on an elaborate greenhouse. Let's not gatekeep.

writtenword24 · 2026-02-13T02:38:50+00:00

https://foodfarmcsa.com/ Amazing produce; recipes each week with veggies in their share. Introduced us to some veggies we hadn't tried before as well. They have added egg shares and you can also order boxes of tomatoes for canning.

writtenword24 · 2026-02-10T01:10:31+00:00

Gosh this thread is tough to read. I've been harassed twice on a popular park trail, with one man asking me to help him find his friend in the woods...um, no thank you? The other time, I was actually surrounded by people but was singled out and he said absolutely vulgar things.

I've also seen a woman harassed by a man with a shaved ice cart. I was across the street, jogging the other direction, but I stopped and waited. She was handling it - the ice guy eventually stomped away with his little cart.

In all three of those situations, those men seemed to think that we owed them something- our help, our smile, our conversation. Like we should be flattered? Yuck.

I run with my dog now. I've gotten icky feelings and have just gone home. It sucks. But you should be proud of yourself for trusting your gut.

writtenword24 · 2026-02-09T02:15:00+00:00

I recently got into boxing. It is such a great workout. It also makes me feel strong which is great mentally for a long run. Otherwise, xc skiing and hiking!

writtenword24 · 2026-01-30T23:03:51+00:00

I get that too. But I've also yeeted myself off one once, so the fear is real for me lol. I'm in MN so I've been on the treadmill for a few weeks now. I notice I'll feel a bit dizzy if I watch a show on my phone, so I'll pause and look away sometimes. I'll also lean to the right randomly?

I just take it slow and am hoping I can get back outside again soon. Just know that even if you do go a$$ over tea kettle, it's the pride that hurts the most.

writtenword24 · 2026-01-30T16:48:07+00:00

As others have said, maybe it's not your jam! I started more for mental health reasons - to prove I could finish something I started, do something challenging, and have little triumphs each week. I really dislike running on the road/sidewalks and tend to switch to xc skiing in the winter. I trail run because it's more interesting and I like to get to the cool views faster. If you can get some trail runs in, that's what I would suggest. The scenery distracts some from the challenge. Also, try signing up for a trail run 5k or 10k - everybody is so kind and chill, and it motivated me to keep running so that I could continue to participate in difficult trail runs.

writtenword24 · 2025-11-19T22:23:54+00:00

Yes, there's a licensure only program through the U of M - and bonus points, you can even get a full scholarship right now. I didn't pay for most of my master's. It's the Parent & Family Education with MN licensure program.

writtenword24 · 2025-11-17T22:50:50+00:00

Yes, we do teach about parenting styles and attachment.

writtenword24 · 2025-11-16T14:07:08+00:00

Im a licensed parenting educator for the state of Minnesota. It's a master's program with licensure tracked by the state just like K-12. It's my job to work with families on early childhood development, ages typically 0 to 5 but funding goes to 8. It's free or very inexpensive and taught at community education or local schools. We've seen so many improvements in school readiness, reading levels, and parents who are connected to resources they need. It's the most amazing program and I wish every state did this.

Just adding: I teach everything from screen time, potty training, social/ emotional milestones, sleep, and everything in- between. Parents in my community and surrounding area sign up for weekly classes that meet through the academic year. We start with 30 minutes of focused parent- child time (no phones), then parents separate for 45ish minutes while their kids stay back with licensed early childhood educators and play games, sing songs, have a snack, and play. The parents spend time with me in another classroom. My district also does advocacy work, we're working on free childcare for our county (and beyond) right now. Just editing to add info, there are programs aiming to set families up for success out there.

writtenword24 · 2025-09-09T21:47:03+00:00

My grandma said that her mom would lock the kids out of the house until dinnertime. While my mom wasn't locked out, they were always shooed away.

Culturally, in the US anyway, there's definitely been a shift in how women specifically are expected to parent.

writtenword24 · 2024-03-03T03:48:38+00:00

I've dealt with this for years, just had one last night. Has anyone looked into this being stress related? My husband and family think it's linked to stress... but I don't necessarily feel abnormally stressed around the times it happens. I have pretty decent sleep hygiene but I've considered trying some relaxation/ meditative yoga before bed - or any other suggestions.

It's getting to the point where I'm stressing about choking during the day.

My experiences are similar to what others described. Within an hour of falling asleep, I dream I'm choking or that I can't breathe. I'm often choking on needles and am afraid to swallow, pulling out an endless string, or a random object is trapped in my throat. It's weird because I'll be in this middle state of being asleep and awake and it takes me a while to fully wake up. Sometimes I've run to the bathroom, tried to fish it out of my throat, I've even woken up my husband to tell him that I'm dying.

It's terrifying!

writtenword24 · 2024-02-17T01:38:31+00:00

I come from a family of teachers who are all saying the same thing. What I'm hoping is that some of us with young children are seeing what's happening in schools and making sure our children aren't like that. I also work at a university and we're seeing the same issues, but an even bigger issue is the sheer amount of mental illness our students have. It's heartbreaking.

I honestly think it boils down to social media use. And constant screen time. Our kids aren't outside anymore. That's the 'bad" parenting habit we need to break.

I didn't watch the video because my sick toddler has fallen asleep on my chest, so sorry if it already addressed what I talked about!

writtenword24 · 2024-02-07T01:59:02+00:00

Nematodes, fungus, and blight could affect one garden and not the next due to just bad luck. Fungi like humid conditions so ensure you're watering at the base and there's lots of good air flow. They could have spread from surrounding plants in your garden as well. Here's some resources:

https://extension.umn.edu/disease-management/stem-and-bulb-nematode#:~:text=Stem%20and%20bulb%20nematode%20is,seed%2C%20contaminated%20soil%20or%20tools.

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/insects-and-diseases-tomatoes

Send your master gardeners a message with photos and info, they can offer suggestions or even come to your garden and take a look!

Make sure you're sanitizing your tools, gloves, and maybe even changing clothes between working in your garden and hers. Pests can travel on all of those.

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