June 20 - Como Park, St. Paul

An earlier start for this month's walk and the sun was high and hot. Spotted some wild life around the lake, then headed over to the conservatory and Japanese garden. Then back to Black Bear Crossing to feed Karen before she left for LA and a week with Erika in Australia. And though Summer starts tomorrow, we made tentative plans for Fall colors at Lutsen in October. Talked of Taylor Falls for our July 18th gathering while globe-trotting Karen is gone again - this time to France and Serbia. Bon Voyage!

May 16th - Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis

Bundled up for a brisk and windy walk around Lake of the Isles for just 5 of us. A few photos of late-blooming tulips and emerging lilacs, then headed to Cafe Barbette for a warm and cozy lunch.

Ft. Snelling State Park - April 18, 2009

The secret to finding this close-in MN State Park is taking the Post Road exit from Hwy 5 near the airport. It's another 2.5 miles past the permit entrance to the beautiful visitor center and all important restrooms. Not as muddy as warned, but too much brown for this visitor's eye. The result: only one photo-op of one of our largest gatherings. Post-hike picnic at Deb and Jocko's in Highland Park for hikers and bikers sans bikers!

Lake Como St Paul - March 21, 2009

Bea's back from Florida hibernation and joined Flo, Joan, Deb H and Margaret for a couple rounds around Lake Como.  Battled crowds of kids and dogs on the Springiest Saturday of the year. Karen and Cheryl joined us for lunch at Como's Zobata Cafe - Karen's hiking limited by a run in with dog Buster. (She did mention Meals on Wheels!)
Watch for April plans to ride the light rail together from the Franklin Avenue station to National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington. Yes, there will be hiking!

East River Road Parkway - Feb 21st, 2009

The fresh snow and bright sunshine were a bit deceptive. The temperature hadn't reached 20 degrees and Minneapolis had an overnight snowfall of 4 1/2 inches which meant walking a ways in the street. Hard to hike with snow covering some icy patches, but thank you St. Paul street department for plowing the walkway as we left the boundary with Minneapolis and hiked into St. Paul. That was also about where we spotted a pair of eagles up above the river. More wildlife down below  - many ducks so still in a small spot of open water. The worst windchill walking over the Mississippi River on the Lake street bridge, headed for a great meal at Longfellow's neighborhood grill - home to those great sweet potato fries. Six of us also signed a card for Karen who's caring for daughter Erica recovering from surgery.

Woodlake Nature Center, Richfield MN

Temperatures turned "moderate" by MN standards just in time for another Saturday hike. Jean Fox filled us in on Woodlake's history and current activities including snowshoe and ski rentals - $30 per year single membership! After a great lunch at the Blackbird restaurant (50th and Bryant), some visited the Russian Museum of Art for the Icon exhibit. Here's the link to Woodlake: 
http://www.woodlakenaturecenter.org

Tamarack Park, White Bear Lake Township - Dec 2008

A Saturday hike shortened by Winter weather, but made up for by a warm and wonderful lunch at Bea's. The best sightings of a hawk on the ground with it's prey less than 15 feet from our path. Also spotted woodpeckers and squirrels and I believe a new outdoor sculpture since we last hiked this location! Missed a couple of our regular hikers, but so good to have Barbara, Rachel, Dorothy and Jocko join us. Such a comfortable time together - who noticed the weather was turning nasty and the roads nastier. But hey, we're Minnesotans!
And thanks to Jocko aka HJ for the hawk photo!