Category Archives: Sights

William O’Brien State Park, St. Croix, MN – Camping

May 3, 2016 Linda 1 Comment

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

The last day of April 2016, the weather looks as if it might rain, but it doesn’t smell like it. We head out with a car load of stuff for our car camping trip.

Driving into the park we sign in and get our site tag. We made reservations online. The process is simple. We drive past all of the cabins and campsites with electricity until we find our simple sight. This particular park has bathrooms everywhere so just pick a site where you like.

We setup our tent and head out for a nice walk. A trail starts a little ways up the road, or if you keep going down the road you will meet the trail. The main trail is a large loop with a few offshoot loops.

The camp site has a spot for your car, a place for your tent, a picnic table, and a fire pit. You can purchase wood at the entrance. Bring something to light it and some skills to get it going.

When you return from your walk have fun around the campfire. Use the grate to cook yourself a meal. Make yourself some marshmallows. Enjoy the evening.

Our trip was a bit cold. Make sure you bring a good enough sleeping bag or extra sheets. The nice part about car camping is that you can drive in plenty of supplies. Take advantage of it.

The site was nice. The trails were convenient, yet far enough away that people do not randomly walk through your site. There is some group camping closer to the middle of the park.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Preston, MN

April 27, 2016 Linda 1 Comment

Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, 21071 Co Hwy 118, Preston, MN 55965

Once you have explored the rest of Forestville State Park or perhaps before make sure you visit Mystery Cave. Take a tour.

Grab your jacket because the cave is always about 48 degrees, or something like that. It is also wet so be prepared for that. I was dripped upon several times. You can bring your children, but make sure they are well behaved. You wouldn’t want to lose one.

History, a trip through the caves is a trip throw history. The layers of the cave are made up of sediment from when the oceans used to cover Minnesota. Let me repeat myself here, the ocean used to cover Minnesota, but not just one time. You see the ocean recedes for a while and then comes back again over the over again, layer after layer. We are currently in one of those receding periods.

There are little bats in the cave, but nothing to worry about. In fact we are more of a threat to them than they are to us. Apparently there is some sort of bat disease that is killing the bats. This is rather unfortunate as these bats eat half their body weight in mosquitoes each night. Bats are cool.

This cave has stalagmites and stalactites. Water seeps into the cave and as it drips it creates these formations. The stalactites are at the top and the stalagmites are on the bottom.

As the water makes its way down through the cave floor it slowly becomes ground water. Unfortunately there are so many chemicals on the ground these days that the water isn’t drinkable anymore. Wrap your head around that for a moment. We are slowly poisoning our own drinking supplies.

Now for those with a bit more adventure in them there are crawling tours. It is just down that corridor.

I prefer the path more traveled and well lit myself.

There is a little treat if you want to call it that. At one point in the tour they turn off all of the lights and you get a sense of what it is like to be unable to see at all. It isn’t a darkness you have ever known on the surface, not even on the darkest night.

The cave is great. Plenty of interesting things to see. You might even get a look at one of those tiny bats. Pay attention to the tour guide. The history lesson is worth the time even if your are as much of a scaredy-cat as I am.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park, Preston, MN

April 27, 2016 Linda 1 Comment

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park, 21071 Co Hwy 118, Preston, MN 55965

Forestville has it all camping, hiking, horseback riding (bring your own, I think), and even a cave.

The park is in two sections. One section has the main part of the park where you will find the majority of the trails, the fishing area, the old Meighen Store, and fishing. This is a great place to catch a trout apparently.

The Meighen store is across the bridge that is out, pedestrians only these days. Plenty of people try their had at fishing along the stream that runs under that bridge. Take a look around.

There is a pretty good trail just across the bridge. It will get your heart racing if you take it very far, but the view from the lookout is nice. Most of the trails seem to be both hiking and horses so watch your step.

You can rent a cabin and stay in the park. Take a few days and enjoy as much of the park as you can. It is a rather large park. We explored a good portion of two days.

When you have your fill of the main area of the park you can head over to the gem of the park Mystery Cave. Yes, the cave has bats, but they are cute little bats that eat the mosquitoes in the area which is great.

I highly suggest checking out Mystery Cave. Take a tour. Reserve your spot. Enjoy the dark and most importantly the trip through time.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Fort Snelling State Park, Saint Paul, MN

April 26, 2016 Linda

Fort Snelling State Park, 101 55111, Lakeview Ave, St Paul, MN 55120

Looking for a park and a piece of history than look no further than Fort Snelling State Park. Located near the Saint Paul airport you can watch the big metal birds fly by among other birds, real ones. This is actually a great place for bird watching.

There are a couple of paths that you can take. You can walk along the east side of the fort. Stare up at the great walls and imagine manning such a fort.

Anther option is walking up the hill and actually checking out the fort. It is only open during certain times of the year, but the outside is quite nice.

You have the option of walking around the island. Stolling around Pike Island is a pretty good walk when it isn’t too wet. This path is along the Mississippi River on one side and the Minnesota River on the other side. There is a cut across if the walk is too far.

There is plenty of picnic areas and places to go fishing. Watch the boats go by. Check out Snelling Lake on your way in. There is a lot to do at this park. You can even go bike riding.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan, MN

April 15, 2016 Linda

Lebanon Hill Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123

I have found 3 entrances to this park. The first is straight down (south) Lexington Avenue, you can’t miss it. Literally, it is the end the Lexington Avenue. The next is along Pilot Knob just south of Cliff road. The 3rd is along Cliff road past Lexington Avenue.

I like the 3rd entrance. It is near the visitor center which is nice. The roof is interesting. I have seen people swimming in the lake near the visitor center. I do not think there is a life guard, but have a great time.

In the city of Eagan Lebanon Hills is the best park for trail walking or riding. You can hike. You can ride bikes. You can ride horses. There are even winter activities is you are that sort.

It can get a bit muddy at times, but overall these trails are pretty nice. You might find a friendly frog along the way. There is plenty of water to view.. You might stop at one of the picnic tables along the trail. These trails are also the best marked trails in Minnesota as far as I can tell.

If you need to get in a couple of miles or even longer this is the park for you. The is plenty to do next to edges as well. I often see people fishing, both ice fishing and regular fishing. Personally I just like to watch the ducks.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Harney Peak

January 10, 2016 Linda

Harney Peak, South Dakota

The hike up to Harney Peak in Custer State Park, SD is a long one. You can stay in the park or drive in and walk from one of the parking lots near Sylvan Lake. Block out a full day for this hike. Eat breakfast, take a lunch, and enjoy a dinner somewhere special after. I suggest a shower before dinner.

Harney Peak is the highest natural point in South Dakota. It is nestled in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore. It is also the highest summit in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. Harney Peak was once used as a fire lookout and the tower that was used is still on the peak. You can go all the way to the top.

If you want to stay in the park and start your trip nice and early you can stay at Sylvan Lake Lodge or in one of the cabins around the lodge.

If you are in amazing shape you can start you walk up to the peak with a nice stroll around Sylvan Lake. If you need all of your energy you skip the lake and take that trip at another time. The is parking at the lake and there is parking a little further to the east.

The Trail 9 starts north of the lake. Trail 4 to the east has more of the extra items to see like Little Devil’s Tower and Cathedral Spires. If you plan on taking these side trails I suggest going to them first so that you have the energy and sense to stay safe getting to them. The Little Devil’s tower trail is nothing to take lightly.

The view from the northern trail, Trail 9 is pretty. I love the fact that they warning signs suggest staying off ledges when it is lightning, but with this statement it suggests that you can walk on any ledge you want at any other time.

The reality is that rock climbing in the area is permitted. You enter at your own risk. You are responsible for your own actions.

Bring water and a snack for the top. Water to keep hydrated, you will need it. The snack is sort of a victory meal for making it. Plus you will probably be on the trails or at the top at meal time. Also bring a camera. The view is amazing.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Shoshone River

January 9, 2016 Linda

Shoshone River – Cody, WY

Along Cody the is a river called the Shoshone River. There is a walking path along this river. Take bear spray!

It is kind of pretty. More of an interesting walk than a scenic one. We went on a day after it had rained. Do not step in the odd looking mud. It is actually volcano ash and sticks to your shoes like you wouldn’t believe. My feet suddenly weighed about four times what they normally do.

You can see different birds along the river. They sit out there and fish or just relax.

There is a spot where the river parts and merges again. It is interesting how one part is really dirty water and the other is really clean.

You can take river rafting rides down the Shoshone River. We went on one done by River Runners.

You start in Cody and they give you a life jacket. Make sure it fits and is tight. Then they bus you up the river. You can go on the short or the long trip. The length of time actually depends on how high and fast the river is flowing.

You pick a spot on the boat you are assigned to. I picked a middle spot. I did not paddle or let go of the boat at all. Water scares me.

The guide takes you down the river and tells you how to navigate the rapids. The family trip is pretty simple, but very interesting.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir

January 9, 2016 Linda

Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir – Cody, WY

Wow, this thing is huge. Not the dam as much as the reservoir. Keep in mind you are in a desert.

You drive by this on your way from Cody to Yellowstone and never really think much about it, but find someone to take you our on it and you will see just how big it is.

We went fishing on this reservoir a few years ago. The came close to the dam so we could see it, but getting too close is really dangerous. Take a look from a distance.

The fishing is good. Someone introduced an unwanted fish some years ago. Please people: introducing two fish or one pregnant fish not from the area can destroy an entire ecosystem. Make sure your boat is clean and do not bring fish from other areas and dump them into the reservoir.

The fishes we caught were really big. I think they were rainbow trout. They were really pretty. There are several different types of trout in this reservoir. Get yourself a fishing license and have fun.

Just boating around the reservoir is a good time as well. It is really big and they let me control the boat for a while. The boat we were on had an underwater view and my job was to keep us the same distance from the line at all times.

If you are a boater or like to fish this is a great place to go.

Here is another website with additional information – Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Devil’s Tower

November 29, 2015 Linda 1 Comment

Devil’s Tower – Wyoming WY-110, Devils Tower, WY 82714

The Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is a bit off the interstate, but absolutely worth the drive. I have made a point of stopping 3 times to take a stroll around this big boy or at least snap a few shots.

Take advantage of this natural oddity, and the first national monument in the United States. How did it come into being? The legend is 6 or 7 little girls depending on the tribe were out and saw a bear or bears. The ground rose up lifting the girls away from the bear(s). The bear(s) tried the climb the tower, but could not reach the girls and clawed the sides.

The tower is amazing from a distance, but once you get close to it you will see the true awe. There are 2 trails around the tower and you can climb the side of it. It is really climbing and you need to check in before you start your climb.

2006 devil's tower rock climbers — The white dots are people.

You can just walk up and take a few snap shots without walking around this tower at all. The best views of the tower are from the entrance. It shows the scratched sides the best. The boulders around the front are pretty interesting as well.

The inner trail is of course shorter at about 1.3 miles. The front and and the right side have the best views and pictures so if you can only do part of the trail do this section, counter clockwise. You can also get a great view of the climbers in this area. Some of the rocks around the base of the tower are huge. Don’t fall into one of the cracks. As long as you stay on the trail you will be fine.

The outer trail is a bit longer, but has some other amazing views at 2.8 miles. This trail heads away from the tower and gives you an outer view of this enormous structure. We took this one to the left, clockwise. You will walk part of this in the grassy area and part of red soil. You will find yourself stopping ever couple of steps just to snap another shot.

The views around the back away from the tower are fairly spectacular as well.

This trail gives you both some close views and some distant views of the tower. It is worth the trek around nature. You may even get to see a few deer like we did. Just check yourself for ticks when you leave. The trail brushes by a few pine trees and it is easy to pick those little bugs up as you pass by.

I cannot quite express how amazing Devil’s Tower is to view. If you get a chance to see this national monument make sure you take advantage of it.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Big Horn Mountains

November 29, 2015 Linda

Big Horn Mountains – Wyoming via highway 14 or highway 16.

The route through 16 is the easiest one to pass. Only a small portion of it is twisty and winding. That portion is pretty neat and not too scary. We usually take this route as we pass through.

The route through 14 is more scenic and I believe there are hiking trails on one of the offshoots. Honestly there are a million trails in this area, but we found an easy one along the river on one of our trips through here.

I have seen bikers (cycling) traveling through the Big Horns. I cannot imagine taking a bike up or down this mountain.

The views are amazing. Stop as often as you can to take in those big skies and beautiful canyons.

Enjoy your trip through the Big Horns. There are some neat little towns along the way. You can make a trip out of traveling through the Big Horns, but more than likely you will be on your way to Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, Devil’s Tower, or Harney Peak in the Black Hills. Happy travels.

Dilettante Requiem of Chaos

Category Archives: Sights

William O’Brien State Park, St. Croix, MN – Camping

Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Preston, MN

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park, Preston, MN

Fort Snelling State Park, Saint Paul, MN

Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan, MN

Harney Peak

Shoshone River

Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir

Devil’s Tower

Big Horn Mountains

I was thinking about becoming a … today.