Presentations

Learn from the experience of 5 Rovers who successfully thru hiked the Border Route Trail in September, 2019.  Josh Brand will explain what to consider when planning a Border Route Trail thru hike and Cheryl Batson will share our experiences from the trail.  If you’re thinking about visiting the Border Route Trail, then this is for you!

Tour Europe’s most historic river, with stops in 5 UNESCO world heritage sites, castles, mansions, cathedrals, medieval cities, and an all day e-bike through the Black Forest to a mountain farm.

Presented by John Elliott

A couple of Rovers traveled back to the Grand Canyon to experience it from a different perspective. They visited many of the most photographed spots around the Canyon including a few buildings that were built by a famous architect that grew up in St. Paul, MN.  Come see the sites such as the North & South Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Lakes Powell & Mead, the West Rim and the critters we saw along the way.

Presented by Jen O.

Denny Caneff (Executive Director of the Superior Hiking Trail Association) will discuss the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s Trail Renewal Program — what it means for trail users, the Association itself, and for the land and water the Trail passes over.

It’s not how to beat the slots, but how to find a great wilderness hiking experience nearby. Less than an hour from the Vegas Strip are the Spring Mountains, with many hiking trails and the highest peak rising to 11,900 feet. This is a picturesque, but harsh, environment with a giant mummy and gnarly zombie trees! This presentation will encompass photos from many trips out there.

Presented by Barry Shillingford

Several years ago I saw a photo of a friend at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and knew that one day I had to go there myself. In August 2019 I went on a 19-day trip to Northern Ireland to achieve my dream. The Irish people are amazingly helpful and friendly and I learned as much about history and politics as I did about the beauty of the island. No car; I relied on busses, trains, and hiking.

I started with three days in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. I walked the intact medieval city walls built during 1613-1618, visited the Free Derry Museum, and viewed Bogside murals painted on the sides of houses during “The Troubles” – the bloody struggles of the late 1960s until the late 1990s.

The second part was a supported, but self-guided, point to point 8-day hiking adventure. I walked in Glenariff Forest, took a ferry to Rathlin Island, and hiked to Carrick-a-Rede and to Giant’s Causeway. I saw waterfalls, clifftop trails, hills, islands, rock formations, and beautiful beaches, shared walking trails with sheep and cows, and climbed innumerable stiles separating fields. Finally, I arrived at the famous World Heritage site Giant’s Causeway, and stayed an extra day.

Finally, I spent four days in Donegal Town, Donegal, Republic of Ireland. It is a very old port and the former centre of government for the O’Donnells from the 15th to the 17th century, with a ruined castle, ancient abbey and graveyard.  It is a lively music and tourist center and the beginning of the Blue Stack Mountains Way hiking trail.

I was nervous about taking the trip by myself but prepared well and relied on friendly travelers and Irish people. I can’t wait to share my photos with you!

Presented by Joannie J.

Doug will present a slideshow of a guided boat/bike trip he took in the northern Netherlands May of 2019. The bucolic countryside starts just outside Amsterdam and provided beautiful views of dikes, seashores, small towns, tulip fields, and forests. A very bike-friendly country, peddling was safe, enjoyable and fascinating.

Presented by Doug Johnson

We started our journey with a cable car ride from the beautiful town of Chamonix France to the 12,605’ summit of Aiguille du midi. Over the course of eleven days we hiked though beautiful little towns and villages like Les Contamines, La Fouly and Trient. We then spent a couple of days in Switzerland which include a leisurely, and well deserved, boat ride along the eastern shore of Lake Geneva from Chateau de Chillon to Lausanne.

Presented by Mike Hogan.

Explore Urban Glasgow by bike, with visits to historical St. Andrews University (think Hogwarts from Harry Potter), the River Clyde, whisky tasting, and Carhart kilts. Fort William’s Ben Nevis offers stunning vistas of the valley. From here hop a train, ferry and a bus to Portree on the Isle of Skye for castle tours, the Quiraing, Neist Point Lighthouse and Fairy pools. Hunt the legendary Loch Ness monster while sailing the illustrious loch near Inverness. And if you’re into history (or Outlander) a trip to Culloden battlefield is a short cab ride from the city. Post Nessie sightings (or lack there-of) or take a 35-minute train ride to the town of Aviemore in Cairngorms National park. E-bikes make it easy to explore the parks woodsy bike paths and picturesque Lochs. Edinburgh, our final destination, offers cobblestone streets, castles and ancient architecture.

Presented by: Shelly G.

Which climatic changes are and are not currently affecting Minnesota? What changes do we expect in the years and decades ahead? Where do we have gaps in our knowledge that preclude definitive statements? This presentation will answer these questions by focusing on the foundational data and research available to climate scientists.

Kenny Blumenfeld, Ph.D. – Sr. Climatologist, State Climatology Office

What’s not to like about a springtime tour of Holland on the seat of a bicycle (with no hills!). Enjoy stories and pictures as Sue explored windmills, tulip fields and a dairy farm (think Gouda!) by bike during the day and ended in a different town every evening with a gourmet dinner and comfy bed waiting for her on the barge.

Presented by Sue W.

Allie, daughter of Rovers member, Regina, will present about her 4-month bike tour in East Asia. She will show photos and route details from her self-supported trip on the east coast and southern islands of South Korea and across Japan’s main islands, from Fukuoka to Sapporo.

Come see all the work that has been accomplished so far!  All the initial buckthorn on the lot has been removed! Lots of invasive work has been done and is beginning to be under control.  Many natives have naturally come up on their own now.  See the future goals and challenges and see where we are going on 2020!

Presented by Cheryl Batson

We will be waterproofing an old, leaky Rover tent – sealing the seams, and treating both the rain fly and the underside of the tent using products commonly found at local outdoor sports stores.

I’m not an expert but have done it enough to learn a trick or two.

Presented by Rob Chase