local gas prices in North West Minnesota

According to the New York Post, Goldman Sachs is predicting high gas prices this summer. They are predicting prices around $5 a gallon even though we have seen a drop in the price before Memorial day when prices are normally high. The price increase is to come mid July. Right now the cool weather and wind is affecting my decision to drive to nearby lakes to fish. Where and how far I go may be affected by high gas. The amount spent on gas for both boat and truck really cuts into the food and drinks I put into my cooler and the distance I go to fish. If I drive far enough that may mean a tank fill going and a tank fill coming back. I know from talking to gas station owners that high gas prices hurt them. People have less money after filling the car or truck to spend on beer,soda pop, snacks, and bait. The gas stations only make a fixed percentage off of gas sold and most of the profits come from items like food and soda. So in effect I will make food at home and bring Ice tea and avoid buying high priced supplies at the gas station if I can help it.

Bird Brains

One of the enjoyable things about this area of Northern Minnesota is the wildlife and one of the hobbies of home owners and land owners is feeding birds, squirrels and deer. It is very common to see back yard feeders and there are whole sections in retail stores dedicated to the back yard feeding of birds. In quite a few homes you will see a window with a chair and a bird identification book. Every season brings new species of birds to the back yard from common to rare with out even having to leave the comfort of your home. In this area you can see species of birds that some bird watchers travel thousands of miles to see.

That is why it was shocking to read about Cuyahoga Falls City council trying to pass an ordinance to regulate bird feeders. The argument is that spill from feeders falls to the ground and decays and causes birds to become sick and die. Jerry James, city councilman alleges that the death of bird was traced back to decayed seed from bird feeders. It was not stated how they came to this conclusion. Was there a biologist or veterinarian involved in the biopsy of these birds? If there was some scientific investigation nothing was put out there for the public to see.

When you read about this kind of news you wonder when some do-gooder will porpose the same type of legislation for your area to "save the little animals" from the bad humans so that they will get votes at the next election. Many who live here are close to nature and have a great concern for nature and will do anything they can to conserve nature without the extra help of new laws.

From Jerry James's statement to Akron News Now, you can conclude he knows very little about bird feeding. You would have to assume that people are dumping fifty pound sacks of feed onto thier lawns for birds to feed on, and that ankle deep piles of feed are rotting on the ground. This is probably the idea that Jerry James has about people who feed birds. The truth is bird seed is expensive and most people who feed birds want very little waste. The other truth is that wild birds are quite finiky about what they eat and different species eat in different ways and varied types of seed. A good example of this is that you probably will not see an American finch or House Wren eating wheat or milo seed. If the Cuyahoga Council was serious that would have stated what types of rotted seed had caused bird deaths. My guess is that they don't have a clue. For many birds you want to attract them with expensive types of seed such as Nyjer seed.

According to the Cuyahoga Falls Patch Chris Stranahan, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise says: "I've seen nothing posted on th ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resorces) website" about birds mortality from decayed bird seed.

Rural smokers and the Cost of Gas.

The total average house hold income spent on gas according to CNN is 9% of household income, and the national average is $3.99 for the month of April. This is very close to what we are paying in Thief River Falls and the surrounding area. With the distances needed to travel in this area it would be interesting to know how much of peoples income here is spent on fuel and how this changes how we locals have changed our spending and driving habits in order to afford gas. For a long time I have known that I will go with out something and not make a special trip into town. In other words if you forgot the milk, then no cereal in the morning and I will get some on the way home from work. This has even led to some quarrels when it comes to those living here who smoke and need a pack of cigarette's. A forty mile round trip just for cig's is really stupid when you consider the cost of gas just to get a pack. Most times a smokers brain does not see the logic in this but a quick phone call and a reminder can save an argument from happening.

Smilie Bridge

The Smilie bridge road is the name given to Pennington County Road 7. The road starts from State Highway 59 and goes to what is called by locals Kratka Bridge Road. Kratka Bridge Road is Pennington County Road 22. The Bridge itself crosses the Red Lake River and has a boat access on the south east side and is located 9.9 miles down stream from Kratka Bridge which is on County Road 22. The boat access isn't very good. It can be washed out and Rocky if the county has not fixed it. It is still popular when river levels are high because of the access to some good fishing holes on both sides of the bridge. Boaters have to be careful even with high water level because the rocks that can take out a propeller. Deeper water comes after the bend north of the bridge. Some people fish off the bridge but there are signs saying not to do this. Motorist speed on this highway so it isn't a good idea. For canoers a nice day trip through beautiful woods is from Kratka Crossing Carry In off the north side of County Road 22 to Smilie Bridge. I have Canoed this and it does take 12 hours with pit stops.

Local gas price in NW Minn. as of May 7,2011

Today was the day to fuel up the old truck. The gas station I stopped at was the Holiday Station on highway 59.

The price is $3.92 every where in Thief River Falls. Oil prices have gone down since the killing of OBL but this has not yet affected the price of gas. Everyone I talk to grumbles about the price of oil versus gas and the same grumblers are very negative that it will go back down to what it was six months ago. I have to agree with them.

Back Side of Thief River Falls Minnesota

It is the first day that we were able to go canoeing. The water was still very cold and as we cast off the dock by 3rd street bridge. Turning over into the water sent waves of dread over us. I normally do not fear tipping the canoe but today with a cool breeze and cold water I did not relish the idea of paddling back in the throughs of hypothermia. We headed upstream from 3rd street bridge taking a look at houses and stopping now and then to take a drink of beer and try to figure out who owned what house. It was interesting to see expensive homes next to normal family sized homes that were built in the 60's and 70's. Most of the docks and decks were still pull up onto the back yards or lifted up out of the water. We paddled around three bends which would put us behind Kmart and Walmart. With the last two beers we let the current and wind push us back towards 3rd street bridge. Of all the places in this area the Red Lake River in the Thief River falls area is one of the nicest and least taken advantage of. I have in the past Canoed from Neptune bridge (the farthest point east you can start from) all the way to Red lake Falls MN. Great fun and great scenery without crowds of people missing it up.