Here we are....the end of summer, school starts in about a week's time, and we are (for the most part) ending our wandering days. And boy oh boy did we wander! Our July was full of new places, new people, family, and FUN! Here we go....
Before we kicked off our July travels Luke put in a hard day's work in L's lab. Luke is trying to earn money to pay for a new fishing kayak. He has been working hard at some odd jobs; lawn mowing, pet sitting, and L offered to pay him for some help in the lab.
Not to worry, there has been plenty of time for fishing on the river....if Luke is not at home or riding his bike around the neighborhood this is where we are! The boys discovered a couple of ropes swings too and now they fish and swing/swim in the chilly river water.
Okay, now off we go! Team Tully headed north to Minnesota and North Dakota!! L was invited to speak at an environmental educators conference at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis so Luke and I joined him for a few days before the conference for hiking and wandering and some amazing history lessons. Then while L was at his conference Luke and I did our best urban hiking and exploring. L did an amazing job with his talk/presentation and his role as session co-chair and got lots of accolades and made so many connections. So proud!
Pinnacle Point - a short but steep hike after a picnic lunch and deer sightings. We also met a group of older ladies who really took their picnic seriously...cloth tablecloth and napkins, finger sandwiches, and fresh lemonade. We had jerky and carrots out of the bags they were sold in, we ripped bread pieces off the french loaf with our hands and we drank water that came from the hotel sink. Ha!
Our best guy!
One of our first stops was in the town of Alexandria, MN. This 28' tall Viking statue pays tribute to the Nordic explorers who are said to have founded and settled this area prior to Columbus arriving in the New World.
This is the Kensington Runestone. An artifact that I had never heard of but that has a rich, deep, and controversial history. This stone, with its Scandinavian markings, was found in 1898 deeply wrapped in the roots of an Aspen tree. The stone and its markings date back to 1362. The origin and how it got here is up for much debate and researchers in history, geology, and linguistics have been working on it for decades.
I found the runestone and its history/origin so interesting. Here is the translation of the stone's markings.
We continued to make our way west through Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. They are not kidding. Lakes EVERYWHERE! So gorgeous and clear and just such a unique landscape, obviously carved by massive glaciers that graced this area for millions of years. We loved our cross section drive across the state. Luke lamented daily that he did not have his fishing gear with him.
In the town of Fergus Falls we found a Tastee wannabe. Oh my gosh, this brought back so many great memories. We went old school and each got a twist cone. Perfection.
Fergus Falls, Minnesota. School mascot is an otter, this is Otto the Otter. Gigantic. We stopped just to see this guy looking out over yet another beautiful lake.
Pretending I am Ima on the chimes.
A lake selfie of Team Tully
We continued west to Fargo, ND. We just loved this little city! Big enough but totally walkable and full of fantastic and friendly people!
Fun and unique murals dotted some of the alleyways throughout Fargo. This one was a fan favorite!
Fargo breweries were common and L and I tried a a few of the local selections...so good!
We just happened to be in Fargo for the first Saturday of the season for their downtown Farmer's market. Fargo is located on the west bank of the Red River and the Red River Market had food, beer, crafts, and even entertainment. It was a great lunch spot for us.
We walked across the Red River (via a bridge) to Moorhead, MN to visit the amazing Hjemkomst Center. This viking ship replica was built by a local man to celebrate his Nordic heritage and in 1982 it actually sailed to Norway!
Outside is an exact replica of the Hopperstad Norwegian Stave Church. Also studied, researched, and built by a local man to honor his heritage! So gorgeous!
We found an off the beaten path trail (our favorite kind) to the aptly named Broken Down Dam Falls. We found the "parking lot" basically in someone's yard at the end of a long country road, parked our tiny Chevy Spark rental car and set off. This little known trail did not disappoint. The road less traveled is always worth it.
Luke and L braved the chilly water for a bit, it was pretty fast moving so they had to stay close to shore but definitely a nice way to cool off. We loved our MN and ND wandering and it was so nice to be traveling again especially in places that were new to all three of us!
We made our way back to Minneapolis and the mighty Mississippi River! Luke and I crossed this on foot, train, and bike. (the hotel we were staying in had "complimentary" bikes to take out and we took them up on it! We biked around campus and across the Mississippi quite a few times)
University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. A huge and gorgeous campus!
Luke and I found this AMAZING park full of miles and miles of trails within city limits! Crazy! Just a short (3 stops) train ride from the university.
The next day we took ourselves urban hiking (14 miles worth)! Our first stop was this amazing sculpture garden on the west side of the city. So many great photo opportunities!
I'm on one side, he's on the other.
We found the highest point in the city (back on the east side of the river)
Luke, placating me with a skyline selfie, ha!
We loved our time as the three Tullys wandering and finding cool spots, roadside attractions, good food, hikes, lake trails, and Fargo fun. I loved my time urban hiking and public transportation navigating with my very capable and fun 13 year old! A great little trip to a great part of the country! Thankful!
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