FROM THE ARCHIVES: Visiting the Northwest Angle with my aunt Fay Sobottka and my mom (Denise Jorgensen) was an adventure. This remote area in northern Minnesota is a result of a boundary dispute between the U.S. and Canada, making it the northernmost point of the contiguous United States. Accessible only through Canada, it boasts […]
Of all the state parks in Minnesota, a handful always find a way to the top of my list when looking for a weekend away. Enter, Father Hennepin State Park in Isle. Located on the southeast shore of Mille Lacs Lake, the hideaway park is gorgeous. Long, sandy beaches and rocky shoreline; a campground and […]
My favorite state parks are those that are obscure, hard to get to, and have less foot traffic. You’d be hard-pressed to find another that fits the bill as well as Franz Jevne State Park in Birchdale. The 118-acre park is located on the south banks of Rainy River (which demarks the Canada–United States border) […]
If you love the North Shore, there is no better way to see it than from above. Lake Superior Helicopters opened in 2009 and allow you to see one of the largest tourist destinations in the midwest. I loved the experience, from the office staff to the pilot. Worth snagging a tour this summer. They […]
I was lucky enough to stop at Maplewood State Park during the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. Located on the outskirts of Pelican Rapids in the heart of Ottertail County, this state park was created in the early 1960s as the hilly, lake-dotted terrain was better suited to recreation than to farming. The park is located […]
If you are looking for a tough (but quick) hike in southern Minnesota, look no further than John A. Latsch State Park. Located just 12 miles northwest of Winona, the roadside park functions primarily as a wayside on U.S. Route 61, which runs between the Mississippi River and the base of three steep bluffs. The […]
My grandfather is dying. They say six months if we’re lucky. I have known death all my life though this is the first time I have had advanced notice. Maybe it’s because I am his namesake. For whatever reason, I am allotted borrowed time. Time to ask him about every photo he has hanging on […]
When I was asked to check out the Safari North Wildlife Park in Brainerd, I jumped at the chance. First, I have spent my entire life passing through Brainerd and I had no idea something so cool would be hiding in plain sight (I mean, besides Paul and Babe), and second, I will look for […]
Growing up in Minnesota, I spent most of my time in the Northwoods. My parents were adamant about safety, education, and conservation. We were required to take DNR courses on things like lawful hunting and fishing, and recreational vehicle and firearm safety. Enter, Mantrap Valley Conservation Club and Auxiliary. The MVCC is a favorite in […]
During the winter, social media feeds are filled with two groups of people, those that have mastered skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and other cold-weather endeavors with the smiles and hordes of gear to prove it, and those that stay inside. There isn’t often a medium. I find myself to be someone who falls in the […]
I have to be honest, The Paul Bunyan State Forest is one of my all-time favorite places in Minnesota. Let me tell you why. This area, outside Park Rapids, is near and dear to me for several reasons but most notably because it is where I, a self-professed Paul Bunyan expert, believe the idea for […]
Have you heard of The Lost 40? Located in the Chippewa National Forest in the town of Northome, the Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), or simply “The Lost 40″ is a nature preserve that is unlike anywhere you have seen in the Midwest. Let me give a bit of history; In the late […]
If you plan on heading up to the North Shore and are looking for a place to stay, check out the Finland Campground. The secluded oasis is seven miles from the very popular (and beautiful) Tettegouche State Park and Lake Superior Hiking Trail. The location alone is worth a drive through. Tucked into the woods […]
If you are going to be in or passing through Duluth anytime soon, make sure to spend some time at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Previously known as Lake Superior Center, Great Lakes Aquarium has been part of the Duluth Waterfront since 2000. From many vantage points throughout the building, you can catch a view of […]
Have you ever tried kayaking or canoeing? How about stand up paddle boarding or hamboarding? What about rock climbing? If not, why? What if I told you, you could try all those things without the added expense of buying equipment, having the means to store it, or paying for an expert to show you. Well, […]
The next stop during the #MNGFO2019 was Myre-Big Island State Park in Albert Lea. Just a stone’s throw from the Downtown area, the park has 8 miles of shoreline on Albert Lea Lake making it a great place to rent a canoe and head out on the water. I myself am more into hiking so […]
Today marks the 45th MayDay Parade and Festival and it certainly didn’t disappoint! The free event took place in the Powderhorn neighborhood in South Minneapolis and ran noon to dusk. In the Heart of the Beast Theater (HOTB)’s annual MayDay Parade, Ceremony, and Festival has been a staple in the Twin Cities area and is […]
If you are looking for a day trip away from the city, I suggest planning a trip to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. Beginning in 1989, the now-center started as EagleWatch, Inc. as a group of volunteers sharing with visitors to Wabasha views of wintering bald eagles from an outdoor observation deck along the […]
Can I just tell you how much I love the Quarry Hill Park and Nature Center in Rochester? The park was originally purchased by the Rochester State Hospital in the 1870s. In 1882, a cave was hand-carved to serve as a cellar for the storage of many vegetables grown on the State Hospital farm. Quarry […]
One of the best parts of having a record snowfall is fresh powder for the snowmobile trails. Snowmobiling is a rite of passage in Minnesota – it certainly was for me. Minnesota has snowmobile trails in nearly every county of the state, including 224 miles in Hennepin County, 369 miles in Dakota County and 208 […]
