Minnesota – Page 7 – Neaton Adventures

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve-Rogers-Minnesota

March 12, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, Crow River, Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Rogers, Winter2 Comments

With the temperature a cool 2 degrees, we began our hiking adventure at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve. The snow crunched loudly under our feet as we hiked. The trails varied in size depending on the route we took. Several of the trail routes were plowed and others were fresh single file boot prints.

We had a birds’ eye view of the Crow River flowing by as we stood on the cliffs. A tremendous number of geese, ducks and swans graced the river’s presence.

The hiking trails weaved in and out of forest and prairie terrain. A variety of birds were making their voices heard this morning. A bright red cardinal and his partner danced in the air as they flew past us.

A large knothole on a tree called to me to take a closer look. I am glad I did as I found a gnome living inside. Not long after discovering the magical gnome, a beautiful owl departed from a tree branch and flew just a few feet in front of us. A breathtaking moment!

A panorama view of part of the park.

Today’s hiking adventure was 6.5 miles long.

Richfield Lake-Richfield-Minnesota

March 6, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Richfield, Richfield Lake, Winter, Winter hiking2 Comments

Minnesota had its first rainstorm of the year yesterday. During the overnight hours the rain turned to snow. I woke up to a magical winter wonderland of snow covered ice. Due to the icy roads, I decided to stay close to home. Richfield Lake is a small lake with a paved path surrounding it.

With a variety of trees and plant life covered in a fresh thick layer of snow, a winter paradise was created.

Raindrops froze in place overnight.

Several crossing bridges around the lake allow access to the surrounding neighborhoods.

There are plenty of places to rest and enjoy the view.

Many different species of birds and small wildlife call Richfield Lake home throughout the year. Today I was able to capture rabbit tracks in the snow.

Today’s winter wonderland hiking adventure was 3 miles.

Lake Minnewashta Regional Park-Excelsior-Minnesota

February 26, 2022February 26, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, Carver County Park, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Lake Minnewashta, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Winter3 Comments

The sun was warm and the air was cool as we began our hiking adventure at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. The wide paved path was marked for winter hiking. The park also offered beautifully groomed ski trails.

Without any trail maps posted we found we had exited the park after the trail went under Highway 41. We walked along the highway until we saw a dog park across the way. A quick loop around the dog park allowed us to hike on the fresh covered snow trails.

After a detour of the dog park, we found our way back to the park and onto the winter hiking trail. A quick walk on the frozen Lake Minnewashta offered views of ice fishing houses, ski trails and our fresh footsteps.

Today’s winter hiking adventure was a little over 5 miles.

Swing Bridge Park Trailhead-Inver Grove Heights-Minnesota

February 20, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Mississippi River, Nature, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Swing Bridge, Winter4 Comments

This morning’s hiking adventure began at the Swing Bridge Park Trailhead.

I began by taking in the view from the Rock Island Swing Bridge that was built in 1894. The bridge no longer extends across the Mississippi River as it is now a recreational pier.

Further away from the shore, the frozen river began to break apart into giant sheets of ice. The warm sun shimmered across the water as eagles soared above looking for their next meal.

As I began my hike along the Mississippi River Regional Trail, I could hear birds singing, and the trees creaked as the wind blew through them.

The trail offered several places to rest and overlooks to view the mighty Mississippi.

The Wakota Bridge/494 Bridge appeared in the distance stretching across the Mississippi River.

The trail went under the Wakota Bridge. I had to wait for a long train to pass by before I could make my way towards the top of the bridge.

The Mississippi River mirrored the brilliant blue sky as I crossed the Wakota Bridge.

Today’s hiking adventure was 8 miles.

Ritter Farm Park-Lakeville-Minnesota

February 13, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Lakeville, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Ritter Farm Park, Silo, Winter1 Comment

With the temperature at -5 and it feeling like -16, we began our hiking adventure this morning at Ritter Farm Park. The wide trails were well marked throughout the park. We hiked the Mader Loop and Matterhorn Trail.

The winding trail led us through different types of tree groves.

We crossed over a walking bridge and decided to hike across Lake Marion. The sun shone brightly upon on us warming our faces.

On our hike back to the park we noticed our footprints were the only visible ones on the ice.

Two old silos still stood on the Ritter Farm property.

We finished our hike at 3.6 miles. A return trip during the summer months is a must!

Lake Johanna- Arden Hills-Minnesota

February 10, 2022February 10, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, Arden Hills, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Lake Johanna, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors, Snowshoeing, Winter2 Comments

I went snowshoeing for the first time this past week. It took a little time getting used to wearing them, however, I definitely recommend giving snowshoes a try. My friend and I began our snowshoeing adventure at Johanna Marsh. We followed deer tracks all the way around the marsh.

A short distance from Johanna Marsh was Lake Johanna. The lake had cars and ice fishing houses scattered across the ice. Many people were out enjoying the day. Snowshoeing across the lake offered a beautiful view of the University of Northwestern.

We came upon a bridge and on the other side of the bridge an old chapel sat on top of the hill. Island Chapel was built in 1925. Its huge carved wooden door was locked.

I enjoyed my snowshoeing adventure. My favorite part of wearing snowshoes was how well they gripped the ice when I walked. I might have to invest in my own pair.

Reservoir Woods-Roseville-Minnesota

February 5, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Lake McCarrons, Minnesota, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Reservoir Woods, Roseville, Trout Brook Regional Trail, Winter, Winter hiking7 Comments

Even though the temperature was 10 degrees, the wind chill took it to a -12 this morning. Gray clouds covered the sky as we started our hiking adventure this morning at Reservoir Woods. Without any maps posted of the Reservoir Woods Trail we quickly found ourselves hiking off the paved trail and into the woods.

The snow covered trail allowed us to walk under the mighty pine trees. We even found a holiday decorated tree. Once through the pine tree grove we began hiking again on the paved Reservoir Woods Trail until we reached Lake McCarrons.

We continued our hike across the frozen lake. A beautiful fox jetted out and ran past us until it reached the middle of the lake. The fox watched us as we continued our hike to the other side of the lake.

The Trout Brook Regional Trail began once we reached the other side of the lake. The Trout Brook Creek was only partially frozen allowing ducks to gather by the dozens.

With our cheeks feeling like a thousand bee stings, we ended our hiking adventure at 5.9 miles.

The Landing-Three Rivers Park District-Shakopee-Minnesota

January 22, 2022Posted in Adventure, hiking, Minnesota, Nature, Outdoors, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, exploring, hiking, Hiking Adventures, Minnesota, Minnesota River, nature photography, Outdoors, Parks, Winter1 Comment

Today’s hiking adventure brought me back in time. The Landing offers visitors a glimpse of what a town might look like living in the 19th Century. With the temperature feeling like -6, I had the place to myself. The vacant town was quiet except for the wind blowing around the buildings and the snow crackling below my feet as I walked.

As I hiked out of the first town, I came across an old school house and farm equipment. Taking a glimpse at the inside of the school, I could see small chalk boards the students used to use on each desk.

The next town I entered was much older than the previous town. The farm houses were from the mid 1800’s. The old wagon was very impressive to see.

Down the hill from the historic towns was a river trail. The trail followed alongside the almost frozen Minnesota River. Eagles soared above me as I hiked through the forest. Silence surrounded me. The wind began whipping across the river and through the trees. The fresh snowfall floated up making the air sparkle like glitter.

Memorial Park was just west of The Landing’s parking lot. As I hiked through the snow towards Memorial Park, I came across two more old stone/brick old houses with a creek flowing behind them. The trail continued past the old houses to a walking bridge which offered beautiful views on both sides of the frozen snow covered waterway.

As I looped back towards where I began this hiking adventure, I was humbled as I came upon Sacred Burial Mounds. After a moment of silence for those who came before me, I ended this hiking adventure.