Today’s hiking adventure began at Memorial Park.

If you’re missing any ducks, well…we found them. Hundreds of ducks were hanging out in the pond chatting it up with each other.

A light coat of frost covered the grass alongside the paved trail.

We crossed the bridge to hike the Minnesota Valley State Trail near the Minnesota River.

The Minnesota River looked like glass. The brilliant blue sky reflected off the river.

One of these days, I would like to catch a beaver gnawing on a tree as we hike by.

We continued along the trail.

The remains of an old kiln for burning limestone to make bricks resided near the trail.

We took a detour from the trail we were on to hike under the roadway. The short tunnel had a wonderfully painted mural on the walls and ceiling.

The Big Woods Regional Trail led us across the Minnesota River on a wide pedestrian bridge that was built in 1927. Markings of the old roadway were still present on the bridge.

We backtracked to resume hiking on the Minnesota Valley State Trail.

The ruins of the old Shakopee Brewery, founded in 1856, is still roughly standing.

We continued on the trail towards the city of Chaska.

We hiked the Orange Loop once we arrived in Chaska.

The Orange Loop Trail led us to Athletic Park, which we have hiked previously.

We completed the loop by hiking around Firemen’s Park.

Fireman’s Park has a wonderful boardwalk around Fireman’s Lake.

We ended our hike at the Crooked Pint Ale House and Chaska Curling Club. We were able to watch people curling on the ice while we ate. Curling is pretty interesting to watch. I might have to sign up for a lesson or two.

Today’s hiking adventure was 10 miles.