This past Saturday I woke up to a crystal blue sunny sky, warm temps, beautiful fall colors and a day with nothing on the calendar... what to do?!! Only ONE thing to do! Take a day trip!
So my girlfriend Naomi, the boys, and I hopped in the car for a day of exploring the beautiful fall Minnesota countryside. We headed south down Hwy 169 through Belle Plaine and then veered over onto Co. Hwy 6 that runs along the west side of the Minnesota River. What a beautiful drive!
Along the way there is a beautiful old, architecturally interesting church... called St. Jessamine or something like that. So many interesting angles and corners that Naomi (aka "The Paparazzi") and I just had to stop for some photos. :) Isn't this church cool?!
The next interesting town we came through was Henderson. A really quaint main street... antique shops, interesting storefronts, definitely worth a stop. I have to say, I've never before seen a Red Owl storefront like the one there... brick with blue columns and polished brass lightposts and completely vacant of signage except for the words "Red Owl" on the side-street side of the building. A unique place indeed!
By noontime we'd reached Minneopa Falls State Park just outside of Mankato. If you have never been there, it's definitely worth a day trip. The setting along the river is gorgeous and it is a favorite hotspot for photographers in the fall. Every time we have been there, there has been a wedding on-site in the park.
This year, though, because of the dry conditions we've had, the falls were essentially DRIED UP! We couldn't believe it! Still an absolutely breathtaking place and the boys loved the opportunity the low riverbed provided to climb over rocks and "puddles". :)
This photo of the boys was taken under the main bridge in the park that crosses over the river and falls. I assure you, I would NOT have let the boys climb under there had the water been rushing!
And this is my friend Naomi standing on the bridge... you can see what a beautiful area it is!
From Minneopa we ventured west on Hwy 68 over to New Ulm for their Octoberfest celebration! What a blast! The towncenter was barricaded off and the street was filled with festivities... a german band playing polkas and authentic german music, beer stand, brat & sauerkraut stand, dancing... all too fun!
Naomi, the boys, and I sat down at one of the tables for a brat and a beer... the man sitting next to us was all decked out in his lederhosen(sp?). :)
After our beer and brats we took the narrated historic carriage ride through historic New Ulm. Very interesting... especially all the old "mansions" that have been renovated. I've heard that New Ulm is the most "native" German town in America.
Besides all the heritage in New Ulm, the city boasts the only glockenspiel in the country. It is a 45-50 foot tall clock tower with bells along the top. The bells tolls out beautiful music 3 times a day -- the sound is almost mesmerizing. And while the bells toll, there is a platform with dancing dolls (animated puppets almost). Very unique and unusual!
The last stop of the day (still in New Ulm) was Harmann Park where the 102' Hermann Monument resides. Despite a little "fear of heights", we all managed to climb to the very top of monument (Naomi, you overcame your fear! Congrats! :)
What an awesome day it was! Fall is my favorite time of the year... mostly because I look forward to "daytripping" and seeing the beautiful colors and countryside. Not sure where we'll go next year, but I wouldn't be surprised if we swing a trip to the New Ulm Octoberfest again. ;)
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