Bryan Hansel
Outdoor writer/photographer who hosts gear‑nerd conversations that draw meaningful replies.
Hidden Roadside Art Echoes American Quirkiness
About 10 years ago, I was on a road trip exploring western Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. I had spent a week or so in the Black Hills and was driving to North Dakota on 85, a two-lane rural highway, and I came across this. I thought that it pretty much summed things up. I'm not sure if it still exists, but, next to Carhenge, it's one of the most American sculptures that I've had the pleasure of seeing. I have no idea if it still exists, but it's worth seeing if it does.
Twin Metals' $380K Payments Fuel Mine Push Despite Opposition
Twin Metals Paid Former Trump Officials $380K. Their Controversial Mine Proposal Near the Boundary Waters Is Now Advancing Against Public Opinion https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/boundary-waters-mine-vote-breakdown/
Republicans Could Dismantle 30 Years of Public‑land Protections
The Republicans just tabled the point of order that would have ruled the Congressional Review Act as not applicable to this type of executive land management action. The CRA has never been used this way. Now with a simple majority...
Senate Republicans Threaten Boundary Waters with Foreign Mining
It sounds like the Republicans in the Senate are going to try to sell out the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to a foreign mining company today. The BWCA is a million acres of designated Wilderness in northern Minnesota with...
Add Post-Ride Stretching to Rouvy and Zwift
What would make Rouvy and Zwift better is if after a ride, they'd run you through a stretching program.
US Trade Deal with Iran: Biggest Policy Blunder
Trying to catch up because we went out to dinner at DQ as a family in case Trump did his "a whole civilization will die tonight" demented bullshit and the world changed. Thankfully, he TACO'd. So, the agreement that Trump...
Fake AI Images Mistaken for Artemis Photos Surge
The number of fake AI generated things that people are believing are photos from Artemis is unreal.
Feds Shut Down Grand Rapids Lab, Leading Forestry Research Hub
Feds to close US Forest Service Grand Rapids lab that does global-leading research on forestry, climate change https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/03/federal-government-to-close-grand-rapids-lab-known-for-forestry-and-climate-research
Artemis Captures Earth From Behind, Unlike Apollo.
Left to right: Original unedited Apollo 17 mission Blue Marble photo; Artemis II's Hello, World photo; Apollo 17 Blue Marble edited by NASA; and NASA's EPIC camera onboard NOAA's Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite on the 50th anniversary of the...
Military Spending Eclipses NASA; Raise Extraction Royalties
For the people complaining about the cost of NASA, Trump spent more attacking Iran in a month than NASA gets all year. The fat in the budget is in the military. Want to raise money in a different way? Raise...
Everyone Deserves Senior Park Pass Despite Rising Costs
With how expensive everything is getting, everyone regardless of age should be able to get the senior national park pass and its discounted rates.
Minnesota Moves to Regulate E‑Motos, Not E‑Bikes
E-moto "bikes" may be regulated in Minnesota soon. A new bill defines what an e-moto is and then requires licensing and insurance; sets an age limit of 15 and above; restricts where they can operate; requires a driver's license; and...
Free Superior Hiking Trail Maps + Desktop Wallpaper
My Unofficial Superior Hiking Trail maps are as done as they are going to be for this March 2026 edition. They are now available for free. I'm also throwing in an image of mine that you can use for your...
Minnesota Mining Leak: 400,000 Gallons Escaped Unpermitted
When someone tells you that Minnesota has tough mining standards be sure to share this with them. Of the 11 documented failures that were admitted, the "largest unpermitted release was nearly 400,000 gallons" and it may have reached the Beaver...
11 Must‑Visit Vermont Towns Beyond Montpelier
If you were going to map Vermont and include Montpelier on the map, what other 11 artsy, touristy, or outdoor-orientated towns would you include?