I went for a quick 2 mile run around Rosemount. After being in the Army for so many years the runs in the morning just seem to take the kinks away from sleeping. Plus you have to take advantage of "no snow" on the ground as much as you can. After the run I felt great. Showered and got ready for the day.
I fed some brand new batteries into my camera, grabbed my sunglasses and hopped into my car. I quickly drove over to the local coffee house in Rosemount and grabbed a Large cup of the house coffee. I think they called it Pike Place Roast™ which tasted very good actually. The problem with this coffee is that it is extremely hot. I tried to take a snip after I got back in my car but it was too hot to drink. So I started the car and eased the 5 speed into reverse and I was off.
Heading out of Rosemount I took a left on 42 and in no time I was at the 55/42 junction. I took a left and heading towards 42. I took a left at 42 and was quickly followed by some Harley riders out enjoying the nice weather. As you drive down 42 you get to drive past some farms and on the left hand side you will see a big Wooden sign signaling you to turn left if you want to head to the Schaars Bluffs! I took a left and moving into the oncoming traffic lane so the bikers behind me would not have to stop or slow down. I always hated that when I was on my motorcycle. They even waved as they rode by. Good day to you bikers!!
You are greeted then by a sign that looks like this.
So I took a right after this sign and was met by a great big metal sign welcoming you to Schaar's Bluff.
I followed this down to where the parking lot was located. I backed my car in and took some pictures with the Mississippi in the background. I don't need to show these pictures as I don't really want to show off my sweet car. I am truly showing the beauty of the Mississippi and the fact it is right in our back yard of Dakota County.
I stepped out of my car and I was the only car one at the park. I grabbed my steaming cup of coffee and my camera. As I walk down the hill that steaming hot coffee burns my left hand and as I type this I can still smell that dark coffee smell from my hand. And YES I washed my hands!! People wash your hands! Germs are everywhere and most are from us not bathing and washing our hands!
As I make my way down to the river I am met bye this huge wooden fence. Which I figure this is to deter people like me from jumping that fence and hanging my legs off the side of the cliff. Well it worked and I figured I didn't want to do anything against the rules. So I leaned on the fence and snapped a couple of pictures.
What a view!!! My camera does not do these justice. You are going to have to visit this place yourself. I carried on down to the park and was greeted by a sign that had some really good
information on it.
I decided I was going to walk the trail and time it for everyone. So I headed on down to where
the trail starts and was met by a large Gazebo. What a great plac
e to have a kid's birthday party or a family BBQ. We love those in Minnesota.Give them a call if you would like to reserve this for a rockin' kid's birthday or a family reunion. 952.891.7000.
You will be welcomed by this sign below.
And then on to the hike. I had some pretty decent running shoes on but I should have grabbed my indoor soccer shoes as the terrain was a bit sketchy when I got of the trail. So grab either some hiking shoes or some decent all terrain shoes to make this a little easier for you or STAY ON THE TRAIL. After serving in the Army for 8 years I had my fair share of ruck marching and hiking. I was once told by one of my battle buddies he counted the miles on his boots and he was at 210 miles. Soles still in tact!! I have never had a problem with my feet so I skated off the trail at times to get some really cool pictures. Just be careful if you are not as experienced of a hiker. There are dangers everywhere off the trail. Plus t
hey warn you with the coolest sign ever!
Now we are talking. Exactly what I needed. A little adventure. You can almost see in this picture where the fence ends and the cliff goes straight down. 10:47Am is the time according to my trusty cell phone. I set out on my hike with just a camera and my sunglasses. The hike is very nice and much needed release of Anxiety from the daily grind and horrible winters we continue to persevere through. I question my way of thinking all winter long on the reason I continue to live in a state that can punch you the face with a 20 below wind chill for two weeks in a row. I think the answer lies in the beauty of spring and summer. You just appreciate the sun and the warmer weather so much more.
I have lived in many places. I can compare Minnesota to many places and I seem to always want to come back to the land of 10,000 plus lakes. Colorado was great and the weather is fantastic but you have to deal with altitude and most of the people that live in Colorado are from other states. They have moved there from other places. I know, my Aunt, Uncle and my cousins live out there. They love it! They still miss the 20 below weather though. haha! I lived in Korea for two years. The weather there is very rainy and I just don't like being wet all the time. One of the worst things in life is being wet all the time. We would go into the field on Trainings OPs and it would rain from the moment we set down to the day we left. And then I went from that extreme to Iraq. Iraq is hot like Arizona. Which I have been there too on mutiple occasions. Iraq has some of the greatest culture I have ever seen. I love the geniorousity that they have over there but it is very hot. We had to wear flight gloves to hold onto our rifles. You know the kind that the pilots wear to protect their hands from fires. So extreme heat or extreme cold? I think I have to go with the cold. The cold you can bundle up and tough it out. You can only take off so many clothes.
Well back to the walk on the trail. What a delightful walk it is. I come up to a severe drop as shown below. The good thing is they built some stairs for everyone to follow to the other side. I didn't take this route though. I jumped down and went to the river shore.
What a spectactuler display of power of nature. The river is huge when you actually get down to the side of it.
That is a river not a lake!! Here is the view from below to where I was walking.
The time was now 11:40Am and I was meaning to get something to eat around noon so I figured I would walk back to my car. I barely made it a mile down the trail before I turned around. So I know when I plan better I will walk this for miles and be able to soak a lot more in. So next time I will time it for everyone so you can plan a little better.
So when you think that you have nothing to do today ask yourself; "is there something that I can do that does not involve a cell phone, computer, a busy mall, a busy coffee shop or a busy restaurant"?? Of course there is. Get out and see Minnesota! Walking is best exercise after all. It reduces stress and helps prolong your life.
Good day everyone!! Be a great American!
-jayson
