Matthew Vinge
@mvinge.bsky.social
Turning your kids into rock stars, chasing the northern lights and exploring Minnesota. I dig music, guitars, ukulele, Prince, and stargazing.
📸🎸🔭🌹DSA
St. Paul/Minneapolis/North Shore
📸🎸🔭🌹DSA
St. Paul/Minneapolis/North Shore
Pinned
Matthew Vinge
@mvinge.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Where my Minnesota, Twin Cities, North Shore/Woods people at??
I wanna follow you!
15yrs building community on Twitter, but...here we are.
I'm a music teacher, classical 🎸, MN explorer, aurora chaser, and nightscape 📸.
These are pics I've taken around MN in the last 30 days.
Let's be friends??
I wanna follow you!
15yrs building community on Twitter, but...here we are.
I'm a music teacher, classical 🎸, MN explorer, aurora chaser, and nightscape 📸.
These are pics I've taken around MN in the last 30 days.
Let's be friends??
Minnesota, if hoping for aurora again tonight...sit tight
Last night was too easy. Once in decade sort of easy. Usually have to try, fail & travel far, many times over, to see that
Still good chance but data is not screamin like 24 hrs ago
Welcome to aurora chasing. Hard & frustrating 95% of time
Last night was too easy. Once in decade sort of easy. Usually have to try, fail & travel far, many times over, to see that
Still good chance but data is not screamin like 24 hrs ago
Welcome to aurora chasing. Hard & frustrating 95% of time
November 12, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Minnesota, if hoping for aurora again tonight...sit tight
Last night was too easy. Once in decade sort of easy. Usually have to try, fail & travel far, many times over, to see that
Still good chance but data is not screamin like 24 hrs ago
Welcome to aurora chasing. Hard & frustrating 95% of time
Last night was too easy. Once in decade sort of easy. Usually have to try, fail & travel far, many times over, to see that
Still good chance but data is not screamin like 24 hrs ago
Welcome to aurora chasing. Hard & frustrating 95% of time
Wow. Can't say much else. The overhead corona was unbelievable. The most intense reds and greens. ❤️💚😍💃 She'll be dancing until sunrise.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
November 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Wow. Can't say much else. The overhead corona was unbelievable. The most intense reds and greens. ❤️💚😍💃 She'll be dancing until sunrise.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
One of the most incredible auroras I've ever seen. The overhead corona was unbelievable. The most intense reds and greens. ❤️💚😍💃 She'll be dancing until sunrise.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
November 12, 2025 at 10:19 AM
One of the most incredible auroras I've ever seen. The overhead corona was unbelievable. The most intense reds and greens. ❤️💚😍💃 She'll be dancing until sunrise.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
One of the most powerful auroras of the decade showing over the intense light pollution, St. Paul, Minnesota! 1:00am Smith Avenue High Bridge overlook.
Tonight was a special one. I have so many more pictures to share and sort through! Incredible night.
Tonight was a special one. I have so many more pictures to share and sort through! Incredible night.
November 12, 2025 at 9:28 AM
One of the most powerful auroras of the decade showing over the intense light pollution, St. Paul, Minnesota! 1:00am Smith Avenue High Bridge overlook.
Tonight was a special one. I have so many more pictures to share and sort through! Incredible night.
Tonight was a special one. I have so many more pictures to share and sort through! Incredible night.
🚨🚨🚨
📢
If you ever listen to me about the northern lights, make it tonight & tomorrow.
Do you want to see real magic? tonight might be beginning of an incredible 36hrs.
This is the real deal.
Find clear sky hour north & strap in.
Now.
Biggest since last October.
You will regret missing this.
📢
If you ever listen to me about the northern lights, make it tonight & tomorrow.
Do you want to see real magic? tonight might be beginning of an incredible 36hrs.
This is the real deal.
Find clear sky hour north & strap in.
Now.
Biggest since last October.
You will regret missing this.
a puppet with flames coming out of his head
ALT: a puppet with flames coming out of his head
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:23 AM
🚨🚨🚨
📢
If you ever listen to me about the northern lights, make it tonight & tomorrow.
Do you want to see real magic? tonight might be beginning of an incredible 36hrs.
This is the real deal.
Find clear sky hour north & strap in.
Now.
Biggest since last October.
You will regret missing this.
📢
If you ever listen to me about the northern lights, make it tonight & tomorrow.
Do you want to see real magic? tonight might be beginning of an incredible 36hrs.
This is the real deal.
Find clear sky hour north & strap in.
Now.
Biggest since last October.
You will regret missing this.
I could not make it to Split Rock Lighthouse lighting tonight for the Edmund Fitzgerald anniversary.
It's a work/school night 🙁 but I was there last year.
Found some pics/video I never posted.
Pretty sure I hold the closest view anyone has dared to get on shore ⚓️🚢🕯🫡
It's a work/school night 🙁 but I was there last year.
Found some pics/video I never posted.
Pretty sure I hold the closest view anyone has dared to get on shore ⚓️🚢🕯🫡
November 11, 2025 at 3:39 AM
I could not make it to Split Rock Lighthouse lighting tonight for the Edmund Fitzgerald anniversary.
It's a work/school night 🙁 but I was there last year.
Found some pics/video I never posted.
Pretty sure I hold the closest view anyone has dared to get on shore ⚓️🚢🕯🫡
It's a work/school night 🙁 but I was there last year.
Found some pics/video I never posted.
Pretty sure I hold the closest view anyone has dared to get on shore ⚓️🚢🕯🫡
Spent weekend in Apostle Islands, Wisconsin. This is my fav pic.
Eagle worked Bayfield as fishing tug until '40s. Sold to fishery in Cornacopia 15m south in '70s until beached shortly after.
Still can't explain "Mpls, MN" on stern but the Cornacopia Hist. Soc. is helping me find info. Stay tuned.
Eagle worked Bayfield as fishing tug until '40s. Sold to fishery in Cornacopia 15m south in '70s until beached shortly after.
Still can't explain "Mpls, MN" on stern but the Cornacopia Hist. Soc. is helping me find info. Stay tuned.
November 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Spent weekend in Apostle Islands, Wisconsin. This is my fav pic.
Eagle worked Bayfield as fishing tug until '40s. Sold to fishery in Cornacopia 15m south in '70s until beached shortly after.
Still can't explain "Mpls, MN" on stern but the Cornacopia Hist. Soc. is helping me find info. Stay tuned.
Eagle worked Bayfield as fishing tug until '40s. Sold to fishery in Cornacopia 15m south in '70s until beached shortly after.
Still can't explain "Mpls, MN" on stern but the Cornacopia Hist. Soc. is helping me find info. Stay tuned.
Big guy. The variety in MN are yellowish unlike their iconic red cousin 🍄 Easily missed when blended w fallen leaves. Find them among birch/pine trees in late summer-November. Cool lookin' but they'll F your dog (or you) right up 🤢🤪🤮 Watch for them on walks.
November 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Big guy. The variety in MN are yellowish unlike their iconic red cousin 🍄 Easily missed when blended w fallen leaves. Find them among birch/pine trees in late summer-November. Cool lookin' but they'll F your dog (or you) right up 🤢🤪🤮 Watch for them on walks.
Legal observer training session this Thursday in Dinkytown (University of Minnesota) 9am-11am.
You must register to attend and to get the details but this is a trustworthy org. You can feel comfortable giving info.
tinyurl.com/MonarchMN-Tr...
You must register to attend and to get the details but this is a trustworthy org. You can feel comfortable giving info.
tinyurl.com/MonarchMN-Tr...
October 28, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Legal observer training session this Thursday in Dinkytown (University of Minnesota) 9am-11am.
You must register to attend and to get the details but this is a trustworthy org. You can feel comfortable giving info.
tinyurl.com/MonarchMN-Tr...
You must register to attend and to get the details but this is a trustworthy org. You can feel comfortable giving info.
tinyurl.com/MonarchMN-Tr...
Cruising backroads of Hwy 61. I noticed this 760ft peak above me. Quickly located nearest trailhead to try to get up there. 2hrs of climbing 2.5 miles of switchbacks...
Wait for the sunset.
It was worth it but a little scary going down in dark, lol.
Sawmill Dome, Cty Rd 6, Finland, Minnesota
Wait for the sunset.
It was worth it but a little scary going down in dark, lol.
Sawmill Dome, Cty Rd 6, Finland, Minnesota
October 27, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Cruising backroads of Hwy 61. I noticed this 760ft peak above me. Quickly located nearest trailhead to try to get up there. 2hrs of climbing 2.5 miles of switchbacks...
Wait for the sunset.
It was worth it but a little scary going down in dark, lol.
Sawmill Dome, Cty Rd 6, Finland, Minnesota
Wait for the sunset.
It was worth it but a little scary going down in dark, lol.
Sawmill Dome, Cty Rd 6, Finland, Minnesota
Minneapolis/St. Paul friends,
Halloween on Friday 🎃🍬🍫
Great opportunity to arm neighborhoods with whistles. Whistles + candy.
Simple, dirt cheap, highly effective device to alert others to incoming danger.
Youknowwhatimsayin?
We should all have one on us.
Still time to order.
Halloween on Friday 🎃🍬🍫
Great opportunity to arm neighborhoods with whistles. Whistles + candy.
Simple, dirt cheap, highly effective device to alert others to incoming danger.
Youknowwhatimsayin?
We should all have one on us.
Still time to order.
October 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Minneapolis/St. Paul friends,
Halloween on Friday 🎃🍬🍫
Great opportunity to arm neighborhoods with whistles. Whistles + candy.
Simple, dirt cheap, highly effective device to alert others to incoming danger.
Youknowwhatimsayin?
We should all have one on us.
Still time to order.
Halloween on Friday 🎃🍬🍫
Great opportunity to arm neighborhoods with whistles. Whistles + candy.
Simple, dirt cheap, highly effective device to alert others to incoming danger.
Youknowwhatimsayin?
We should all have one on us.
Still time to order.
Sunset on Raspberry Island, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Vibrant Mexican folk art displayed "Alebrijes: Keepers of the Island"
I prob won't get up early to do it so I'll give ya a tip:
Sunday morning sunrise will provide beautiful backdrop behind sculptures over river bluffs. Could make some killer pics!
Vibrant Mexican folk art displayed "Alebrijes: Keepers of the Island"
I prob won't get up early to do it so I'll give ya a tip:
Sunday morning sunrise will provide beautiful backdrop behind sculptures over river bluffs. Could make some killer pics!
October 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Sunset on Raspberry Island, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Vibrant Mexican folk art displayed "Alebrijes: Keepers of the Island"
I prob won't get up early to do it so I'll give ya a tip:
Sunday morning sunrise will provide beautiful backdrop behind sculptures over river bluffs. Could make some killer pics!
Vibrant Mexican folk art displayed "Alebrijes: Keepers of the Island"
I prob won't get up early to do it so I'll give ya a tip:
Sunday morning sunrise will provide beautiful backdrop behind sculptures over river bluffs. Could make some killer pics!
I'm about to sub for an after school guitar program full of 7-10 year old elementary kids.
This usually goes one of two ways...
Controlled chaos or absolute chaos.
But... for $100/hour we will survive.
Pray for me 🙏🎸
This usually goes one of two ways...
Controlled chaos or absolute chaos.
But... for $100/hour we will survive.
Pray for me 🙏🎸
October 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I'm about to sub for an after school guitar program full of 7-10 year old elementary kids.
This usually goes one of two ways...
Controlled chaos or absolute chaos.
But... for $100/hour we will survive.
Pray for me 🙏🎸
This usually goes one of two ways...
Controlled chaos or absolute chaos.
But... for $100/hour we will survive.
Pray for me 🙏🎸
Crystal clear skies last night.
I sat in a cemetery for an hour, hoping to catch some straggler (2 days past peak) Orionids streaking behind this old tombstone.
No impressive meteors on camera 😢 but I got a cool shot of Orion & a very bright Jupiter through the middle.
I sat in a cemetery for an hour, hoping to catch some straggler (2 days past peak) Orionids streaking behind this old tombstone.
No impressive meteors on camera 😢 but I got a cool shot of Orion & a very bright Jupiter through the middle.
October 24, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Crystal clear skies last night.
I sat in a cemetery for an hour, hoping to catch some straggler (2 days past peak) Orionids streaking behind this old tombstone.
No impressive meteors on camera 😢 but I got a cool shot of Orion & a very bright Jupiter through the middle.
I sat in a cemetery for an hour, hoping to catch some straggler (2 days past peak) Orionids streaking behind this old tombstone.
No impressive meteors on camera 😢 but I got a cool shot of Orion & a very bright Jupiter through the middle.
Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon ☄️ last night from north central Minnesota. (Circled in first pic)
This is pretty good for phone camera but I'll try for a pic w 🔭 this week.
It did look spectacular in my new massive 15×70 binoculars. Like a fuzzy green ball.
I also found this abandoned 100yr old fire tower
This is pretty good for phone camera but I'll try for a pic w 🔭 this week.
It did look spectacular in my new massive 15×70 binoculars. Like a fuzzy green ball.
I also found this abandoned 100yr old fire tower
October 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon ☄️ last night from north central Minnesota. (Circled in first pic)
This is pretty good for phone camera but I'll try for a pic w 🔭 this week.
It did look spectacular in my new massive 15×70 binoculars. Like a fuzzy green ball.
I also found this abandoned 100yr old fire tower
This is pretty good for phone camera but I'll try for a pic w 🔭 this week.
It did look spectacular in my new massive 15×70 binoculars. Like a fuzzy green ball.
I also found this abandoned 100yr old fire tower
"They got the guns but we got the numbers. Gonna win. We're talking over."
-Jim Morrison
No Kings.
-Jim Morrison
No Kings.
October 18, 2025 at 10:19 PM
"They got the guns but we got the numbers. Gonna win. We're talking over."
-Jim Morrison
No Kings.
-Jim Morrison
No Kings.
Still 6 stops from downtown Minneapolis and the train is already at capacity. Announcements being made telling people more trains are coming. The platforms are full but no one can get on. No Kings.
October 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Still 6 stops from downtown Minneapolis and the train is already at capacity. Announcements being made telling people more trains are coming. The platforms are full but no one can get on. No Kings.
Aurora is going to rip any min according to the data. I'm stuck on the train for another 30min 🥲 and still an hour away from a suitable spot. If you're up north tonight, I'd go outside and check it out. Probably going to continue to build up over next hours. Look north.
October 18, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Aurora is going to rip any min according to the data. I'm stuck on the train for another 30min 🥲 and still an hour away from a suitable spot. If you're up north tonight, I'd go outside and check it out. Probably going to continue to build up over next hours. Look north.
Never skip the show when a Beatle comes to town.
Paul McCartney playing Blackbird tonight in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Paul McCartney playing Blackbird tonight in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
October 18, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Never skip the show when a Beatle comes to town.
Paul McCartney playing Blackbird tonight in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Paul McCartney playing Blackbird tonight in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
I got a lot of books. This is one of my rare treasures.
"The Beatles in Minnesota" documenting the only Beatles concert ever in MN on 8/21/1965. These are the only high quality pics from the show.
Can't wait to see Paul McCartney tonight in Minneapolis! See you there.
"The Beatles in Minnesota" documenting the only Beatles concert ever in MN on 8/21/1965. These are the only high quality pics from the show.
Can't wait to see Paul McCartney tonight in Minneapolis! See you there.
October 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I got a lot of books. This is one of my rare treasures.
"The Beatles in Minnesota" documenting the only Beatles concert ever in MN on 8/21/1965. These are the only high quality pics from the show.
Can't wait to see Paul McCartney tonight in Minneapolis! See you there.
"The Beatles in Minnesota" documenting the only Beatles concert ever in MN on 8/21/1965. These are the only high quality pics from the show.
Can't wait to see Paul McCartney tonight in Minneapolis! See you there.
I love the new powerbox art around the downtown St Paul Minnesota parks. These are my favorites. Find them around Mears Park, Kellogg Mall and adjacent streets.
October 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I love the new powerbox art around the downtown St Paul Minnesota parks. These are my favorites. Find them around Mears Park, Kellogg Mall and adjacent streets.
Sunset fighting storm clouds over Minnesota & Mississippi Rivers confluence. Tonight from St. Peter Cemetery bluff in historic Mendota.
One of oldest (post-European arrival) burials in MN here, 1840, but it was a traditional Dakota burial place long before settlers arrived.
One of oldest (post-European arrival) burials in MN here, 1840, but it was a traditional Dakota burial place long before settlers arrived.
October 13, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Sunset fighting storm clouds over Minnesota & Mississippi Rivers confluence. Tonight from St. Peter Cemetery bluff in historic Mendota.
One of oldest (post-European arrival) burials in MN here, 1840, but it was a traditional Dakota burial place long before settlers arrived.
One of oldest (post-European arrival) burials in MN here, 1840, but it was a traditional Dakota burial place long before settlers arrived.
The John G. Munson departed the Two Harbors, Minnesota port on Lake Superior while I was visiting the breakwater lighthouse.
It traveled approx 300 miles in 28 hrs to Saulte St Marie, Ontario.
The Munson was built in 1952. It is 768ft long and carries coal/iron ore.
It traveled approx 300 miles in 28 hrs to Saulte St Marie, Ontario.
The Munson was built in 1952. It is 768ft long and carries coal/iron ore.
October 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The John G. Munson departed the Two Harbors, Minnesota port on Lake Superior while I was visiting the breakwater lighthouse.
It traveled approx 300 miles in 28 hrs to Saulte St Marie, Ontario.
The Munson was built in 1952. It is 768ft long and carries coal/iron ore.
It traveled approx 300 miles in 28 hrs to Saulte St Marie, Ontario.
The Munson was built in 1952. It is 768ft long and carries coal/iron ore.
I just bought $23(!!!) tickets on Stubhub for Paul McCartney in Minneapolis next week.
I've seen him 5 times and never paid under $100.
I wouldn't sleep on those 🎟 if you're interested. I sent a mass email to all my music students parents letting them know those are available.
I've seen him 5 times and never paid under $100.
I wouldn't sleep on those 🎟 if you're interested. I sent a mass email to all my music students parents letting them know those are available.
October 6, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I just bought $23(!!!) tickets on Stubhub for Paul McCartney in Minneapolis next week.
I've seen him 5 times and never paid under $100.
I wouldn't sleep on those 🎟 if you're interested. I sent a mass email to all my music students parents letting them know those are available.
I've seen him 5 times and never paid under $100.
I wouldn't sleep on those 🎟 if you're interested. I sent a mass email to all my music students parents letting them know those are available.
The horizon opened up during the rain tonight for last few min of sunset.
I really wanted to find opening in clouds to catch rising full harvest supermoon bc Saturn is right next to it 🌚🪐 Failed 🥲 Too cloudy in the east and it's raining but I'll take a good sunset I guess.
Red Wing, Minnesota
I really wanted to find opening in clouds to catch rising full harvest supermoon bc Saturn is right next to it 🌚🪐 Failed 🥲 Too cloudy in the east and it's raining but I'll take a good sunset I guess.
Red Wing, Minnesota
October 6, 2025 at 1:24 AM
The horizon opened up during the rain tonight for last few min of sunset.
I really wanted to find opening in clouds to catch rising full harvest supermoon bc Saturn is right next to it 🌚🪐 Failed 🥲 Too cloudy in the east and it's raining but I'll take a good sunset I guess.
Red Wing, Minnesota
I really wanted to find opening in clouds to catch rising full harvest supermoon bc Saturn is right next to it 🌚🪐 Failed 🥲 Too cloudy in the east and it's raining but I'll take a good sunset I guess.
Red Wing, Minnesota