Tuesday, February 14, 2017

BBBC, Feb 13, five natural wonders within an hour of Saint Paul

This post is part of the Brave Bold Blogger Challenge put on by ToadMama.com The goal is to write everyday during the month of February and I haven't exactly been keeping up. The bigger drop was not giving credit where it's due.

Thanks Toad Mama for putting this together! 

Today's topic (yesterday's really): open concept or room with walls?

William O'Brien State Park

This state park sits on the west bank of the Saint Croix River, north of Marine on the Saint Croix. The Saint Croix river is a National Scenic River, a designation that protects it from development.

map | camping | trails

Rice Creek Chain of lakes

The Rice Creek Chain of Lakes is seven miles long, located between I-35W and I-35E, just north of The Cities.

map | entrance fee: $5/day

Camping (make a reservation)

Wargo Nature Center
7701 Main Street
Lino Lakes, MN 55038
651-429-8007

Spring lake Park

Located between highway 52 and Hastings. A short hike from the parking lot will bring you to +100 foot bluffs overlooking Spring Lake, the impoundment behind lock & dam number 2.

map
Spring Lake and tree tops

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge/ Fort Snelling/ Minneahah Falls

The Minnesota Valley national Wildlife refuge is the only national refuge system located within a major metropolitan area. Starting in Jordan, the Minnesota river valley winds in and out of the refuge system before converging with the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling. Looking south from the I-494 you'll see the refuge, look north and you'll see Fort Snelling State Park.


Lake Minnetonka 

( Lake Minnetonka Regional Park )

I couldn't make a list of the Twin Cities' natural wonders without mentioning the magical waters of Lake Minnetonka. While I've motored past and fished the big lake to my west, I don't have any specific park or par-like stops to recommend. There is a regional park on the west end of the lake and plenty of places to stop for lunch. Also, the U of M Landscape Arboretum is just south of the lake, off of highway 5.

- Ride North

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