…a quest for Buffalo 🦬

Just a short mini post to get some photos archived from the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo. This is the third year, but our first visit. Running through November 7th, we thought it was well worth the $24 tickets (and fighting the huge crowd). Thanks again to zoo staffer Sarah Mariette for recommending that we go this year. Make sure you get tickets online ahead of time if you want to go – they are not available for purchase at the door.

Late afternoon break at Como Zoo, Saint Paul

Flowers, flowers, flowers

Thank you, UMD Land Lab – that was delicious

My forever home still isn’t ready

Winter is coming…

Nice job, Apple Valley

Good hole to get it on, but wow does Vegas have me screwed up

18th tee @ Keller

Way to go, nature

And I’ll even be happy with a “senior” rate

Lots of wildlife on my bike ride visit to the forever home (not pictured: snake)

All of us even parred that monster hole @ Willingers

Lots of love in this little space

Hastings Golf Club always has nice landscaping

The University of Minnesota-Duluth Land Lab

Reminded me of Lebanon Hills

Riding along the big river

Pond on number one, Ridges at Sand Creek

Mike: kindergarten friend; John: junior high friend

Willingers doge (one of two)

Trail race = Gordy and donuts

Punch, Grand Ole Creamery, Como Zoo and Conservatory

My man @ Como 🐧

Top 3 floral scent (which lasts like three days in MN)

Bluefin Bay, Tofte, Minnesota

A beautiful arrangement from a beautiful soul

…but tropical inside (thanks to SK)

The “new zoo” has been impacted in unique ways by the pandemic, so we were happy to help support them via the drive-thru Nature Illuminated experience that runs through January 17. Prices vary by day, with discounts for zoo members (we paid $50 for our car of four people). The inflatable animals and lighting are set up in the eastern parking lots (near the school that SK and MK attended), which you enter and exit from the main zoo entrance on McAndrews. There is an audio program you can stream from your phone that ties in with the sequence of the animals, who are grouped much like the zoo itself. You are asked to drive with just your parking lights and the leisurely pace was just right, allowing for photos and an overall time of about 40 minutes.

We do have beavers on the Mississippi, right?

Free flower from Honda

This amazing weather week continues

Old shot from the San Diego Zoo

Take advantage while you can

Get it while you can

Some color on the Mississippi

Awe on today’s hike

Superior Hiking Trail @ Devil’s Kettle

Don’t see that every day

Approach to nine green, peak color, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay #nofilter

Gold Mine Trail 🍁

River Oaks in Cottage Grove

She is so talented

Fall colors in Hastings

A Dwan maple in Bloomington

Don’t know what those are, but great to have late season flowers

Pope Family Ranch, Forest Lake

Phalen with Curtis (plus Craig and Jeff)

Too bad our Cheese Dog wasn’t working

Summer in full swing at Brookview

Cold front really dropped the temp, though

It’s been hot, but pretty

Approximately 127 turtles are hiding in this photo

Mississippi River, Saint Paul

Dead mayfly party in Lowertown

Cross River, Schroeder, Minnesota

Pretty awesome for a “weed”

Today’s bike ride sight: the Anson Northrup

Devil’s Track River, Minnesota

Just learned what “tombolo” means this trip too

Mississippi River, Saint Paul

My favorite part of spring

I don’t think that is in the brochure

Valleywood #8, Apple Valley, Minnesota

My city is awesome

Morning walkies around Lowertown

The Dahlgreen cows were impressed

Cannon Golf Club, Cannon Falls, Minnesota

Highway 52 bridge over the Mississippi, Saint Paul