Minneopa State Park

Thursday, June 5th, 2014, Danny and I set out to explore Minneopa State Park.  This park is near Mankato, MN.  Our map landed us at an entrance that was closed.  However, near the entrance was parking to see the upper falls.  From the parking, it looks like a bridge.  The falls are visible from the bridge.  It was beautiful.  This also gave an opportunity to take some time to discuss and demonstrate experimenting with ISO settings.  

There was an informational note on the bridge:  Evidently, a century ago, the falls would have been on the other side of the bridge.  Erosion moved the falls that much.

We then set out for the main park.  This park requires a state permit to enter (worth the cost.)  A larger falls can be seen here.  Minneopa creek tumbles down a smaller 8 ft drop, then falls nearly 40 feet into a luscious gorge.  

We opted to take the scenic route to the bottom of Minneopa Falls.  The green on the gorge walls on the way down was enchanting.  Imaginably something of a fairies paradise. At the bottom of the falls, more lush scenery presented itself.  Truly a gorgeous park, worth the trip.

View 'UP' from bottom of falls

Happy Hunting! 

Robin and Danny

Springbrook Nature Center - Initial Peek

Danny and I headed out again today.  Our destination: Springbrook Nature Center.  This 127 acre park is located in the north part of Fridley, MN.  We had a time crunch and couldn't stay too long.  We DID have enough time to determine this park needs a deeper look.  Many of the paths are still covered with snow.  High temperatures forecast over the next few days will resolve that issue.  The recent snow melted and refroze, clinging to trees and dried weeds as ice. 

This park has several hiking trails that cover a variety of habitats.  

Some of the trails have floating bridges.  We saw some smaller woodpeckers, crows, and some type of hawk while walking the Prairie Hiking Trail.  

Have fun exploring!

Danny and Robin