Quoted a trip from Pillager to Walker and back to Pillager at $60 both ways so $120 less 20% so $96
The drive from Pillager to Walker, Minnesota, is a classic Northwoods journey that typically takes about 45 to 55 minutes via MN-64 North. As you leave the open farmlands and meadows surrounding Pillager, the landscape quickly transitions into a dense, picturesque canopy of pines and hardwoods. The route carries you through the heart of the Pillsbury State Forest and skirts the edge of the Chippewa National Forest, offering a peaceful, winding road with glimpses of hidden potholes and shimmering wetlands. This stretch of highway is particularly stunning in the autumn when the tamaracks turn gold and the maples flare red. As you approach Walker, the terrain opens up to the expansive views of Leech Lake, welcoming you into one of the state’s premier lakeside resort destinations.
Stay away from Lyft as autonomous vehicles disrupt ridesharing market, says Wedbush
In 2025, the dynamic between Lyft and autonomous vehicles (AVs) has transitioned from competition to a strategic "asset-light" partnership. Rather than developing its own self-driving hardware, Lyft acts as a massive distribution and fleet management network for AV giants like Waymo, Mobileye, and May Mobility. By integrating these robotaxis into its existing app, Lyft aims to create a "hybrid network" where autonomous cars handle high-demand, predictable urban routes while human drivers remain essential for complex maneuvers, poor weather, and personalized service. While this strategy allows Lyft to scale quickly without the massive R&D costs of building a robot, it faces significant pressure from Wall Street over potential margin compression and the risk that AV providers might eventually prioritize their own first-party apps over the Lyft platform.
Uber Stock Continues To Slide: What's Driving The Weakness?
Uber stock has faced significant downward pressure in December 2025, sliding more than 10% over the past two weeks to trade around the $80 mark. This decline is largely driven by a "perfect storm" of regulatory and competitive concerns:
• Legal & Regulatory Blows: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined by 21 states, recently expanded a lawsuit against Uber, alleging deceptive billing and difficult cancellation processes for its Uber One subscription service. Simultaneously, the company is battling mounting pressure in Europe, including taxi protests in Barcelona and potential new labor rules that could reclassify drivers as employees.
• Robotaxi Anxiety: Despite Uber launching new autonomous partnerships in Dallas and Dubai this month, investors are increasingly worried about long-term competition. The rapid expansion of Waymo and potential threats from a centralized Tesla robotaxi fleet have led some to fear that Uber’s "middleman" business model could be bypassed.
• Analyst Adjustments: While many on Wall Street remain long-term bulls, heavyweights like Morgan Stanley recently lowered their price targets, signaling a shift in near-term sentiment after the stock’s strong run earlier in the year.
Deep rock south of Brainerd
If you’re heading to the intersection of Highway 25 and Highway 2 south of Brainerd, you're looking at a classic Minnesota crossroads in the heart of the lakes area. This junction, located near the town of Genola and just north of Pierz, serves as a key transition point between the dense pine forests of the north and the rolling farmland to the south. It's a high-traffic spot for commuters and cabin-goers alike, often marked by the rural scenery, local agricultural hubs, and the steady stream of travelers making their way toward the Brainerd Lakes recreational area.
And this is why Minnesota is superior to Texas in my mind
The primary difference between Minnesota and Texas lies in their opposite approaches to land ownership and outdoor access. Minnesota is a public-land stronghold, boasting over 12 million acres of accessible terrain, including state forests, Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), and two massive national forests; in the northern half of the state, it is common for hunters and hikers to roam for miles without encountering a fence. In contrast, Texas is a "private land state" where roughly 95% of the land is privately owned. While Texas offers world-class hunting and recreation, access is typically restricted to landowners or those who pay for exclusive "leases," making public access much scarcer and often more crowded compared to the open-range tradition of the North.
Thank God for SNK car wash in Nisswa Minnesota
SNK Carwash and Oil change is a full-service automotive care facility in Nisswa, Minnesota, that combines efficiency with local reliability. It serves as a convenient one-stop shop for both seasonal residents and locals looking to maintain their vehicles against the elements.
• Offers a range of professional car wash services designed to keep vehicles clean and protected.
• Provides quick-lube oil change services to help maintain engine health and performance.
• Features a retail area with automotive essentials and convenience items.
• Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
DNR buys nearly 16,000 acres in northern Minnesota
Located in the heart of Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region, Lake Vermilion is widely celebrated as one of the state's most scenic and sprawling bodies of water. Covering roughly 40,000 acres, it is famous for its "365 islands"—one for every day of the year—and a rugged, irregular shoreline that stretches over 290 miles, the longest of any lake in Minnesota. Its name is a French translation of the Ojibwe word Onamuni, meaning "Lake of the Sunset Glow," a nod to the reddish tint the water takes on during the evening.
As the southernmost "Canadian Shield" lake in the region, its character is defined by granite outcrops, towering pines, and clear, shallow bays. It is a premier destination for anglers, particularly those chasing walleye, muskie, and smallmouth bass, and it serves as a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Whether for its historic resorts near the towns of Tower and Cook or its reputation as a top-ten scenic lake in the country, Vermilion remains a crown jewel of the American Northwoods.
