Hail storm in the backyard, Eagan, Minnesota

Practice tee, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

They seem to be everywhere up here – Tower, Minnesota

Sunset over Lake Vermilion, Fortune Bay Resort Casino marina, Tower, Minnesota

Calla Lilies for Colleen, Bachman’s, Eagan, Minnesota

The Sand Creek, hole thirteen, Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan, Minnesota

Rainbow over the neighborhood, Eagan, Minnesota

Continuing on with the ten favorites theme I started a few days ago, here is my initial pass at outstate Minnesota. There is a heavy focus on the northern part of the state, as I’ve spent the most time there. Other areas are very nice too, but maybe that can be a third post down the road.

1. Devil’s Kettle Hiking Trail

Part of the Judge C.R. Magney State Park, the trail to the Devil’s Kettle is pure North Shore beautiful. It’s not too long or too tough, so almost everyone can do it, and I just love that we haven’t figured out the mystery of where all that water goes.

2. World’s Best Donuts and Sven & Ole’s Pizza

Grand Marais is such a beautiful town. I’ve been lucky enough to visit almost every year of my life, so I’ve had plenty of time to see the dining options come and go. These two establishments are firmly planted within shouting distance of each other and continue to be must visits on every single trip I take.

3. Lutsen Mountains and Lutsen Resort

Lutsen has always been Minnesota’s only “real” ski area and I love visiting any time of the year. The golf course added another dimension and the original Lutsen Resort on the lake holds special memories of my friend Megan’s beautiful wedding on the beach.

4. Gooseberry Falls (above) and Split Rock Lighthouse

Gooseberry Falls State Park represents everything that is good about the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Gorgeous setting, nice visitor center, easy access off highway 61, miles of great trails and photogenic waterfalls. And it’s all free.

Just down the road, Split Rock isn’t free, but what a wonderful historic site. Another great visitor center, friendly, informative guides, super cool lighthouse structure and a beautiful hiking trail down to the lake and the iconic photo opportunity that awaits.

5. Ely Blueberry Festival

This is a relatively new thing for me, but I’ve been to the last two Blueberry Festivals in Ely and will plan to keep coming back. My parents have been going for years and it’s just down the road from work, so I think it’s officially tradition now.

6. The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and The Vermilion Club

Speaking of work, it’s a no brainer to include The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Golfweek’s #1 public course in Minnesota.

Best. Benefit. Ever.

After the round, the food at the resort is good, but nothing compares to the VC. You know your foursome needs a Bamboozler…

7. Grandma’s Marathon

This race lacks the total spectator count of Twin Cities, but it’s so very special in a different way. Taking the train to the start, the beauty of Lake Superior, the crowds when you enter the city, the party at the end – Grandma produces a world-class event. A true showcase for the city of Duluth.

8. Tobies Caramel Rolls

Not quite halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth, the pit stop in Hinckley almost always means a visit to Tobies. And Tobies means caramel rolls – soft, sweet, sticky caramel rolls. Yum.

9. Brainerd Area Golf – The Classic, The Pines, The Preserve and Deacon’s Lodge

While I’ve photographed all of these courses, I’ve actually only played two of them (The Classic and The Preserve). Throw in Golden Eagle and you have a solid week of great Minnesota resort golf. One of these years I’ll organize a buddy trip to do just that.

10. Greg’s Meats

Last, but not least, Greg’s Meats is located just north of Cannon Falls on highway 52. While they have lots of great things for sale, all I have to say is: beef jerky time!

What else do you like outstate?

Sea creature remains, 13th fairway, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Lake Vermilion, Minnesota

http://stephanhoglund.photoshelter.com/gallery/Aurora-Borealis-Over-Downtown-Grand-Marais-Minnesota/G0000mYT5ZiXXtv4/C0000woFEiiEFoSg

Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis, Minnesota

American violets, front sidewalk, Eagan, Minnesota

The tree out front, Eagan, Minnesota

The Hideaway, 4/15/2012 Snowstorm, Tower, Minnesota

Robins reconsidering their travel plans, patio at Fortune Bay Resort Casino, Tower, Minnesota

Birch Point dock, Lake Vermilion, Minnesota

A “friend” on the deck stealing bird seed, Eagan, Minnesota

Somewhere over Colorado, Delta Flight 1787, MSP-SAN

Kid one’s friend visiting the bird feeder, Eagan, Minnesota

Tree droppings, but at first I wasn’t sure…Valleywood Golf Course, Apple Valley, Minnesota

Echo Point, Lake Vermilion, Tower, Minnesota

Rapidly disappearing snow cover, Fortune Bay Resort Casino, Tower, Minnesota

Minnehaha Creek, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Last winter, North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota

Arrowhead Trail sign, Lake Vermilion marina, Fortune Bay Resort Casino, Tower, Minnesota

Splitrock State Park, Lake Superior North Shore, Minnesota

Gooseberry Falls (lower falls), Gooseberry State Park, Minnesota

Peanut Butter Pinecone Bird Feeder, Gunflint Nature Center, Grand Marais, Minnesota

Cabin 6, Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais, Minnesota

Front Yard Evergreen, Eagan, Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, Minnesota

Rock Outcropping, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Pond on the Fourth Fairway, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Waiting a few more weeks to trim this one, home office window shrubbery, Eagan, Minnesota

South Beach, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnehaha Creek between Nokomis and Harriet, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Backyard Sugar Maple, Eagan, Minnesota

Front Yard, Eagan, Minnesota

No Idea What These Are, Fortune Bay Resort Casino, Tower, Minnesota

Picked up some new gear at the wonderful Joe’s Sporting Goods in St. Paul last weekend. Took my pocketful of Christmas cash and bought a set of Fischer nordic skis and bindings, Alpina boots and a pair of Yukon Charlie’s snowshoes.

I’ve never really done either of these sports, so these are just entry-level products (but well made). I went out and used both yesterday for the first time and did OK. I need to learn more about cross-country form, but 32 years of downhill skiing made it pretty easy to get around without falling down.

Snowshoeing on frozen Lake Vermilion at night was a total trip. The stars were beautiful, it was absolutely quiet and temps were very reasonable. So peaceful and calming – at least until I started to sink into some slush. I was using the cross-country poles and one of them poked through to water. I asked a co-worker about that and he said not to worry – apparently the heavy snow can force water up through cracks to create a slush/water layer. He assured me there is ice beneath that, so I’ll go out again tonight.

Saw one shooting star last night, but still waiting to see the northern lights again.

The picture above was taken with my new favorite iOS photo app – Camera+. It really is a massive improvement on the build-in camera app and the low cost makes it a no-brainer purchase.

I know the snow and cold is coming in a few short months, but I just can’t get over how pretty it is in northeast Minnesota. More on the first week coming soon…

I’ve had the Fuji mountain pictured above for a long time, but never really ride it that much. That might all change now, though, as I recently discovered a hidden gem just a mile and a half south of our house.

The Lebanon Hills Regional Park borders Eagan and Apple Valley and contains a really fun series of mountain bike trails.

I think my bike is a little too small, but I got it as a free credit card points reward way back when. It will have to do for now, but I may invest in a pair of $35 riding gloves at some point.

Last night was my third time on the trails and I like it more and more each time. I love that it’s so close, has great scenery and variety, isn’t too difficult for a beginner like me and (probably best of all) is free.

The parking lot is almost always full of cars, but I never see too many people on the trail itself. Since it’s around six miles all in the same direction, I can see where that would happen, though. The only thing missing is a drinking fountain in the parking lot.

Way to go Dakota County!

University of Minnesota golf course, St. Paul, November 1, 2008

Anybody know what tree drops leaves like these?

UPDATE: Jake says it is a Ginko Biloba tree. That was Colleen’s thought too…