Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow!

If it’s winter, where’s the snow?

Growing up in Minnesota L.B.D.E. (Long Before Digital Era) we never had to ask that question–because there was always snow. Once the yard was raked, the snow came. Came and went a few times, maybe. But definitely a fixture well before Christmas.

Looking on the bright side of things, warm temps and lack of snow do allow for some long, non-freezing hikes in the woods. Hope you’ve gotten out and about in this season of brown. And don’t worry, soon it will all be turned from drab to fab. Until then try humming, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…”

Thanks to everyone who came out and hiked with us this year. Happy holidays!

Hiking Into The Holiday

Ah, Labor Day. Or as I call it, No Labor Day.

Originally Labor Day was created to show appreciation for all the ways America’s workers have contributed to its prosperity and vitality. Now it’s more often seen as the last vacation day before school starts, a day to shop good sales or the end of a 3-day weekend.

Why not take a few minutes this Labor Day to think about your ancestors’ workday trials and accomplishments? Then say a little “thank you” and drive off to your sale or head to your hammock for a snooze.

September 1, 2023, Friday 6-9 pm: Como Park Hike + Riff Rangers at Como Lakeside Pavilion (St. Paul) – Hike Leader: Linda Quammen

Start your Labor Day weekend right with a moderately-paced, fun group hike around the lake (+ labyrinth & more) until 7:30 pm. After that we’ll listen to the Riff Rangers free concert in the open-air Pavilion. Classic rock, swing, folk, jazz, and bluegrass–they play it all until 9 pm.

Want munchies? Dock & Paddle restaurant next door serves fries & cheese curds to salads & burgers to go until 8:30 pm. Or grab a premium ice cream until 8 pm at Lakeside Treats on the lower lakeside level!

Directions: From I-94 in St. Paul, exit onto Lexington Ave. & go north approximately 1.25 miles to Como Park. Continue on Lexington Ave. as it winds through Como Park to the two large parking lots for the Como Lakeside Pavilion at 1360 N. Lexington Parkway. Park in either lot & meet outside the Lakeside Pavilion’s door to the Dock & Paddle restaurant.

The Summer Of ’23

Is summer slipping away from you? Everyone around buying up notebooks, gym shoes and school clothes?

No sir, no ma’am, now’s no time to dress for fall! Time to grab summer by its roots–yes–and ride it all the way to September’s end. Get Summer, Part 2 started with a warm evening hike, add a bit of outdoor jazz, then pile on some food truck favorites. Now that’s summer living, done right.

Aug. 16, 2023, Wednesday 5:30-7 pm: Nine Mile Creek at Moir Park Hike (Bloomington) – Hike Leader: Linda Quammen

Let’s hike over the river (9-Mile Creek) & through the woods of Moir Park for a scenic evening tramp. Note that this hike starts earlier than usual–5:30 pm–but for good reason…

POST HIKE: We’ll caravan 1.5 miles to catch the last half hour of World Jazz Collegium’s free concert at Bloomington Civic Plaza. They’re an awesome smooth jazz group, plus 9 food trucks and beer will be there, too–a super way to end Hump day. Check out the details here: Bloomington Market Fest: World Jazz Collegium. I’ll have the details and easy directions there via Old Shakepee Rd, as well. Bring a blanket if you want to sit on the East Lawn while listening, rather than stand.

Directions: Take I-35W south from Minneapolis to the West 106th St. exit in Bloomington. Exit & go west (right) on West 106th St. At Morgan Ave. S. turn north (right) & continue on Morgan Ave. S., past West 104th St., to the small Moir Park parking lot (beside Morgan Ave. S.) where we’ll meet.

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The Prairies Are Calling, Part 2

That’s right, the prairies are still calling you so do join us for another prairie + woodland + wetland nature hike.

This time we’ll see what’s doing the bloomin’ at the 110 acre oasis of green goodness that is Dodge Nature Center’s main property. Their motto is “Nourish Your Need For Nature” and that’s what we’ll do. Even with the drought we can expect those deep-rooted native prairie plants to put on a multi-colored show with swaths of monarda punctuated by coneflower, rattlesnake master, hoary vervain and other wonderfully weirdly named bloomers.

July 21, 2023, Friday 7-8:30 pm: Dodge Nature Center Hike (West St. Paul) – Hike Leader: Linda Quammen

Meteorologist Belinda Jensen says Friday is a day we should all get outside. So, let’s promenade around the prairie while it’s bloomin’ beautiful. We’ll swing by the mews to see the raptors (used for educational programs), search for any animals outside on the farmyard and take a walk on the wild side in the woods, as well.

Directions: From Hwy. 62 (formerly Hwy. 110) in Mendota Heights continue east & turn left (north) onto Delaware Ave. Turn right (east) onto Marie Ave., continuing past an entrance sign for Dodge Nature Center, to Charlton St. Turn left (north) onto Charlton, go past Dodge Preschool on the left, & turn into the next driveway entrance on the left: Dodge Nature Center Farm (1701 Charlton St.). Park in the gravelled lot, where we’ll meet.

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The Prairies Are Calling

That’s right, the prairies are calling and you must come. Come for that iconic view of a Midwestern prairie running riot across the landscape–purples, lavenders, oranges, yellows and whites all jostling for room. Both July hikes will feature prairies during their peak blossoming, capturing everything from the gigantic compass flowers to the dainty flowering spurge.

July 11, 2023, Tuesday, 7-8:30 pm: Lebanon Hills Park – Holland Lake Trail Hike  (Eagan) – Hike Leader: Linda Quammen

The prairies are in bloom so we’ll route our hike past a number of prairie patches, some reconstructed or enhanced by park staff in recent years.  Monarda, hoary vervain, and butterfly weed are a few of the beauties we’ll see attracting the fluttering, flitting and flying of the butterflies, birds and bees.

Directions: Take I-35E to Eagan and exit onto Cliff Road. Proceed east on Cliff Road. Continue on to the Lexington Ave. stoplight and turn right (south) into the Holland Lake trailhead parking lot of Lebanon Hills Regional Park. We’ll meet in front of the big informational sign at the edge of the parking lot, overlooking the lake.

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Celebrating Summer

Let’s celebrate!!! Whatever you want to celebrate–weekend beginning, Air Qualiity Alert’s end, summer officially in swing, your blooming rose bush, rain–doesn’t matter, we’ll celebrate with you. We’ll even raise an ice cream cone (or cup) to you, so come on along as we traipse up hill and down dale around Minnehaha Park.

June 30, 2023, Friday, 7-8:30 pm: Minnehaha Regional Park Hike (Minneapolis) – Hike Leader: Linda Quammen

Our hike along both sides of Minnehaha Creek will view the famous falls at various levels as we criss-cross bridges during our travel down to the Mississippi River and back. Afterward, we can reward ourselves with ice cream at Sea Salt or Dairy Queen!

Minnehaha Park’s 193 acres of natural bounty includes 53-foot Minnehaha Falls, limestone bluffs with creek overlooks, beautiful wildflowers, foot bridges and the Mississippi River, above.

Directions:  From Hiawatha Ave./MN Hwy. 55, south of downtown Minneapolis, turn east onto 46th St., then turn right (south) onto Minnehaha Ave, continuing south to the Godfrey Circle roundabout. Exit the roundabout heading east on Godfrey Pkwy and park in one of the two pay parking lots or along local streets like Minnehaha Ave. (You can also go right at Godfrey Circle and head west half a block to the small (left side) parking lot of Longfellow Gardens on top of the Hwy. 55 tunnel,) We’ll all meet at the stone viewing wall of Minnehaha Falls (with Sea Salt restaurant just behind you).

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Anything Goes

It’s June, and, of course, it is “busting out all over the meadows and the hills.” But is it spring or summer?

Meteorologically, it’s summer but astrologically it’s still spring for over 2 more weeks. Okay, potato, potato (with an “e” if you’re Dan Quayle), we just say (or sing) Anything Goes!

Why not come along on a “sprummer” hike where we can mull over–or completely ignore–these and other weighty questions?

June 7, 2023, Wednesday 7-8:15 pm: Old Cedar Bridge Hike (Bloomington) – Hike Leader: Linda Quammen

Join us for some amazing views on an evening jaunt across the non-motorized Old Cedar Bridge spanning Long Meadow Lake. We’ll also hike the Hog Back Ridge Trail to see what’s blooming and check out the pier for another view of Long Meadow Lake, its plants and animals (lots of egrets?).

Directions: Take Hwy. 77 (Cedar Ave.) south from I-494 and exit onto Old Shakopee Road. Go right (west) onto Old Shakopee, then left at the first stoplight: Old Cedar Avenue. Continue down the hill to the parking lot where the road ends. We’ll all meet at the side of the parking lot nearest the bridge.

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