Tag Archives: Park

Parks, Sights, Travel

William O’Brien, St. Croix

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William O’Brien State Park, 16821 O’Brien Trail N, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047

The park entrance is north of the city.  It took us forever to find it.  It was like an epic joke, signs everywhere that said William O’Brien State Park, but no place to park.  When you find the entrance you will discover tons of parking.

Go left or right it is up to you.  If you want the long trip go right.  If you want to see the pond with minimum walking take the left path.  It is a fairly nice pond.  If you choose the long trip and it starts getting to you there is a cut across.

William O'Brian State Park pond

Overall it is a bit flat for hiking.  It is a walking trail.  There are some birds that nest there that might be worth seeing.  If you are in St. Croix and want to go hiking it is worth a trip around the park once.  Get your hiking pin.

William O'Brien State Park 20

William O'Brien State Park 24

There is also cabins, camping, and group camp sites.  If you are looking for a place to stay in the outdoors this one is pretty nice.

For more details on the park check out their website: William O’Brien State Park.

Sights, Travel

Crazy Horse, Custer

Crazy Horse, Custer – 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD 57730

We seem to love to carve mountains into men in the United States.  First, Mount Rushmore and now Crazy Horse.

The first time I saw Crazy Horse I was a child.  There was only an armpit.  You drove by and donated a couple of dollars as you past the man holding the bucket.

Years later I returned and progress had definitely been made both on the mountain and with the visitor center.

At the center you can learn the history of the construction and of Crazy Horse himself.  You can see the small statue of what the end product should look like.

Crazy Horse mold

Here is a picture of the mountain in 2005, my second trip.

Crazy Horse Mountain

Getting to watch the progress over the years is really exciting.  If you want to learn more about the project or donate to it check out the website for Crazy Horse.

Sights, Travel

Jewel Cave, Custer

Jewel Cave, 11149 U.S. Highway 16, Custer, SD 57730

Jewel Cave Ticket

Get your ticket and go.  Jewel Cave is pretty interesting.  If you are afraid of being in an enclosed space you might find it a bit scary.  You have to take an elevator down into the cave.  They have lights and a clear path to walk on, but when they turn the lights off it gets dark fast.

Jewel Cave 2005

They let you touch a rock at the start so that you can get it out of your system.

It can be a little bit chilly in the cave so take a jacket.  The sun does not heat the place.  In fact nothing gets into the place.  No bugs, no animals, nothing is down there.

If you are more adventurous they also have spelunking available.  When they describe how they make it through some of the smaller areas it makes me shiver.

This particular cave it one of the better ones in the area.  If you want to see the inside of one this one might be the right choice.

You can find out additional information at their website: Jewel Cave.