Meet the man who made the Minnesota-shaped forest

January 6, 2025 6:50 AM

Meet the man who made the Minnesota-shaped forest A brief news story about a man who brought some v e r y s l o w whimsy to his job.

Hat tip to Cris E for the link.

posted by wenestvedt (13 comments total)

But this Minnesota-shaped forest is itself located in Minnesota, which would imply that inside the Minnesota-shaped forest…
posted by AlSweigart at 7:18 AM on January 6 [2 favorites]

....go on....
posted by wenestvedt at 7:19 AM on January 6 [7 favorites]

Minnesota has a Minnier-sota upon its stately forestry
And Minnier-sota has a Microsota, and so on to infinity

(with apologies to Augustus De Morgan and Jonathan Swift)
posted by jedicus at 7:28 AM on January 6 [12 favorites]

The quotes from this guy are kinda adorable.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:32 AM on January 6 [2 favorites]

It kind of looks like Alfred Hitchcock's profile along the eastern border. I wonder if that was intended or just a happy accident.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 7:44 AM on January 6 [2 favorites]

I have seen a drawing that superimposes Hitchcock's profile over the Minnesota/Wisconsin border, quite convincingly indicating the menace posed by the Cheeseheads (e.g., Ed Gein, the Dells).
posted by wenestvedt at 7:50 AM on January 6 [2 favorites]

But this Minnesota-shaped forest is itself located in Minnesota, which would imply that inside the Minnesota-shaped forest…

Lake Superior is the largest lake in the world. Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior. There is a lake on Isle Royale called Siskiwit Lake, with a few small islands in it. The largest of these, Ryan Island, is (for those following along at home) the largest island in the largest lake in the largest island in the largest lake -- and it has its own tiny body of water.

When we hiked Isle Royale, we didn't have a boat with us and were too tired to swim out to it -- so we settled for just looking at it.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:56 AM on January 6 [10 favorites]

Reading this post, I giggled, to the point that spouse asked me what was going on. Thank you for this small bit of joy on a chilly winter morning.
posted by enfa at 7:59 AM on January 6 [1 favorite]

Wikipedia lists several islands in lakes on islands in lakes on islands.
posted by Ishbadiddle at 8:05 AM on January 6

Wow I wish he had also done the loon!

Thank you!
posted by kyraU2 at 11:46 AM on January 6 [2 favorites]

I love how his supervision noticed, but still allowed it through, even if a note accompanied it saying not to do it again
posted by Higherfasterforwards at 12:25 PM on January 6 [3 favorites]

Great post!

One of my favorite bits about living in MN is the inherent quirkiness you see here. Apparently having to spend multiple months cooped up every year can lead to strange psychological effects, sometimes people deal with that accordingly. Sure, you guys have your own weird, but the Minnesotan weird is different in a way that is difficult to quantify.

That document looks like it's about a hundred years old, but it's dated 1989. 1989 wasn't a hundred years ago, was it? God, I hope not.
posted by Sphinx at 7:44 PM on January 6 [3 favorites]

Omg that is amazing. I had no idea! And what a way to leave a lasting note in the local landscape in a way that leaves a distinct note—one that shouldn't have much in the way of ecological impact any worse than the existence of logging itself would imply. A fingerprint upon the landscape.
posted by sciatrix at 5:18 PM on January 7