The Sanderson Crew 5: A taste of Minnesota

The days continue. We had a big weekend around here. 11th Anniversary AND Father's day. Throw in Craig taking Friday off of work and some beautiful weather and it was pretty close to perfection. I had been shooting Craig some ideas for this 3 day weekend for months. I am not exaggerating. We never bit the bullet on a single idea. We are going in a week for a good-sized camping trip so camping was not super appealing but we did kind of want to go and do a "mini-trip: as a family. Wednesday night we finally sat down and Craig said, "What about southeastern MN, we've never done that." We had thrown the idea around a few times so this wasn't just a random idea but we wanted somewhere close (within 2 hours was the goal), a state park to explore, plus a new area. So our trip to Southeastern MN was hatched with the leaving time less than 24 hours away. Don't you love those impromtu ideas. I am a traveler so if you tell me to be ready in 30 minutes I could probably do it. We had about 18 hours before our goal of leaving.

Day 21: Thursday, June 18th.

So Thursday was filled with hanging out around the house, blowing bubbles, stopping at the pool for a little swim before Craig came home and we left on our trip. We decided to NOT camp but found a reasonable hotel with a warm pool and a hot tub. We spent a lot of time in it!

Day 22: Friday, June 19th. Happy 11th anniversary Craig!! We were up and out with the sun this day. Off to Forrestville Mystery Cave State park. Oh MN state parks, you are all so different and unique and cool. We explored the Forrestville part of the State park this day. It is an abandoned town circa the late 1800s. Everybody kind of just moved when the railroad was created and did not go through the town so it looks untouched from the 1800s. We were able to look at the store/homestead, school, and were even able to hike up to a gravesite.

Ringing the dinner bell:

The gravesite was very overgrown, somewhat dilapidated and weirdly beautiful.

After the state park we decided to go pick strawberries at a place close to town. Craig and the older two picked while Caleb and I needed to do a little of this:

But we didn't miss the eating part. Warm, straight from the field strawberries on a scenic overlook without a cloud in the sky. Pinch me.

Afterwards we decided to check out the town of Lanesboro....which was originally our only destination plan. There is an sizable amish population in the town. It was fun watching a horse and buggy go by now and then. We stopped at the falls and watched an amish man fish for trout.

Then off to a playground for bit:

11 years baby!!

And then we decided to get a little adventurous. Biggest attraction in Lanesboro is the bike trail.....we did not bring our bikes. BUT the 2nd biggest attraction is floating down the river. Now that would be a new experience for the kids. So we did. No pictures of the event as my camera was tucked safely in our van for most of it but it was a good time. I was a little nervous being on a river with our kids but it was pretty safe and a good, tame river to do our first float trip on.

Capping it off with a little ice cream:

Day 23: Saturday, June 20th. Time to go explore the Mystery Cave part of Forrestville/Mystery Cave State park. Largest Cave system in Minnesota. It was pretty awesome. I hadn't been in a cave since I was Andie's age and it was the kids first cave experience. They do a really great tour through the state park.

Day 24: Sunday, June 21st. Happy Fathers Day. To cap off of our "Explore Minnesota" weekend we took my parents to a Twins/Cubs game. What a great way to celebrate two great Dad's! Craig is a huge Cubs fan and it was fun that they were playing the Twins in MN. It was a first at the "new" Target field for all of us. My favorite was Andie was wearing MY Twins shirt from when I was 8 and the Twins won the World Series in 1987. True Vintage gear right there. She got a few comments and smiles on it.