Lake Maria State Park

A lovely early fall hike in a beautiful woods at Lake Maria State Park.  We followed the Big Woods Trail for about 2 1/2 hours through open prairie ablaze with prairie grasses and flowers in bloom.

 

 

The sumac is red now and just complements the yellows and purples of the flowers and the gold of the grasses.

From there we hiked through a mixed maple forest - not many changing leaves yet, but the forest is open enough that we could see through to the little ponds and lakes as we passed them.  They added a lot of light and color to the walk.

Our hike also included an oak forest and Lake Maria itself where,if you wanted to, you can rent a canoe or hike on the board walk.  If you are into camping, all of the campsites at the park are hike in sites and some take quite a bit of walking, but the quiet space by yourself would be worth it.

Following our tradition, we enjoyed a great lunch together.  This time in Monticello at the Corner Cafe where we toasted Margaret, the previous keeper of this blog who was that very day setting out to teach English in Azerbeijan with the Peace Corp.

Margaret, we'll miss you.  But we expect you to have a wonderful experience to share with us when you return.  Safe travels!

Hiking and Packing - August 21, 2010

Dorothy, Deb, Bea, and Michelle savor their choices

Another overcast and steamy August morning for a trek around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis for 10 of us. Then a cool Italian lunch at Amore Victore on Lake street - right across the street from that snotty French Barbette. Followed by dishes and books to pack at my place. Those who stayed on reaped the benefits of raiding my liquor cabinet so that's the only picture for today's hike. Time to turn over the reins to another hiker/blogger as I leave for the Peace Corps in Azerbaijan.

July 17, 2010 - Caponi Art Park, Eagan, MN

Neither heat nor humidity can stop hikers - only slow us down a bit and thank goodness for meandering, shaded trails. First time visit to a secluded semi-private park aka sculpture garden created by local artist/teacher Anthony Caponi in the city of Eagan. Joined by Michele for a picnic lunch plus several rounds of photos from grandmas Christy and DeAnn. Here's a couple photos plus a link at the bottom to more photos at my picasa site.

  July 2010 Hike at Caponi Art Park

June 2010 - Taliesin, Spring Green WI

Words cannot express what a wonderful weekend in Wisconsin. I created 2 separate photo albums in Picassa of the photos I took - one for the Amish-style B&B in Cashton and the other of photos I took during the tour of Taliesin. So I'll add just one photo from Friday night in Cashton and a photo taken Sunday at a short stop in Wabasha to inquire about a kimono for Bea!

Taliesin photos

Countryside B&B photos

June19, 2010 - Big Rivers Regional Trail, Dakota County MN

Three veterans plus newby Mel of the biking group hiked along this former railroad bed. Not easy to find, but well traveled by mucho bikers. Started near Hwy 13 and 35E and headed toward Mendota Bridge. Here are a couple photos as proof and hike was followed by fine dining at Axel's.

April 17th, 2010 - Lake Rebecca, Hennepin County, MN

A first-time hiking spot thanks to DeAnn's new hiking book of close-in places. And didn't we forget a site map on another hike? What map would show us those hills anyway! Three strikes and we'll need a search party! Thank goodness for the sun to find our way North and time for lunch!

And glad I remembered Delano's mainstreet, but first time for us all at the Three Crows for live music with lunch along the Crow River. Was that Jimmy Crack Corn - and I don't care?

First of the season: requisite tick check.

Wow to the 25 years long restoration of trumpeter swans at Lake Rebecca!

'Tis I in my new Twins hat; photo taken by Deb H.

March 20th, 2010 - Lake Phalen, St. Paul MN

Can't believe I only took one photo - outside Swede Hollow Cafe at that. Too windy to pull out my camera and click with my mittens on! Brisk and sunny and I heard my first red wing blackbirds of the year!