Mississippi River Trail: A True Biking Adventure
Mississippi River Trail: A True Biking Adventure
By Dave Simpkins
Editor/Publisher
Disney tours define a true adventure as traveling beyond the ordinary, being immersed in your destination’s way of life and sharing the wonders.
This is a philosophy Liz Walton and Dan Collins of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, MnDOT, are following in their planning of the state’s 800-mile portion of the Mississippi River Trail from Itasca State Park to the Iowa Border.
LocationDr. Roberts Trail reveals its Forest Secrets
Dr. Roberts Trail reveals forest secrets
by Dave Simpkins
Minnesota’s forests have stories to tell.
Rachael Nicoll, a member of Itasca State Parks Naturalist Corp, told a few of those stories to a group along the Dr. Roberts Nature Trail.
The Naturalist Corp is a special project funded by the Legacy Fund, providing summer interns to lead tours and give presentation at state parks.
Cuyuna's Day On The Hill
The Cuyuna Range business community felt the addition of a 25-mile mountain bike system to the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area would only attract 30-year-old adrenalin junkies that would only benefit the hospitals and bars.
LocationSnowshoe Wonders
A layer of fresh white snow covered the landscape at Lake Bemidji State Park.
Naturalist John Fylpaa led a group of Thursday snowshoers when they came across a trail of timber wolf tracks leading to Big Bog Lake.
LocationCity kids learn to ski
Imagine, children playing soccer on cross-country skies, rocking back and forth on a wide teeter-totter with those skies and trying to negotiate a hill on one ski.
These are just a few of the activities young people ages seven to 13 participate in during the Loppet Adventure Winter Camp held each year at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis during winter break.
Location
Lobbying for Precious Places
It was one of those perfect Minnesota spring days, lush green leaves on the trees, brilliant blue sky and a slight breeze cooling the 65-degree air.
According to lobbyist, Judy Erickson, the last day of the 2008 legislature was a perfect day to pass a last minute $20 million appropriation bill to establish Lake Vermilion State Park.
LocationHiking the Border Route Trail
“A trail eases our way, but it also narrows your focus,” Paul Gruchow.
The 64-mile Border Route Trail can be merciless with its steep grades, thick forests and rocky trails.
It can also be the most beautiful trail you’ll ever hike. Nestled between the Canadian border and the Gunflint Trail, it offers with majestic views of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, with lots of plant and wildlife.
Location
Itasca forest tells stories
Minnesota’s forests have stories to tell.
On Wednesday, Rachael Nicoll, a member of Itasca State Parks Naturalist Corp, told a few of those story to a group of visitors along the Dr. Roberts Nature Trail.
LocationJoseph Nicollet's discovery
Joseph Nicollet rode in the middle of a trading canoe taking notes.
LocationCuyuna Mtn Bike Trails draw attention
Teddy Schaefer and Peter Gustafson pulled up on their mountain bikes after pedaling through some of the 23-mile Cuyuna Country State Recreational Mountain Bike trail last fall. They proclaimed in unison, “awesome!”
Location
