Scott and Sophie Love to Travel

Little Camper on the Prairie – Southwest Minnesota

To take advantage of the beautiful fall weather, we decided to go camping in Southwest Minnesota this October – an area we had not yet explored.

Our first brief stop was Fort Ridgely State Park where we saw the ruins of a fort that played a pivotal role in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. We then drove through Sleepy Eye and Walnut Grove of Little House on the Prairie fame.

We stopped in Walnut Grove, but the museum was closed unfortunately. Sophie remembered reading all the Little House on the Prairie books while growing up in France. To her, they were very exotic – talking about blizzards and big open spaces – she never thought back then she would actually end up living in Minnesota!

A historic stone building situated in an open field under a cloudy sky, with a gravel path leading to it and a few vehicles parked nearby.
A historic stone building at Fort Ridgely State Park, with a sign detailing its history, set against a clear sky.
A historical stone building at Fort Ridgely State Park, with a sign in front and a cloudy sky above.
A tall stone monument standing in a grassy field under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A water tower labeled 'WALNUT GROVE' stands tall next to a rustic wooden building with multiple windows and a black door, set against a partly cloudy sky.
Exterior view of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, featuring a brown wood facade with white lettering.
An old wooden wagon with a canvas cover, positioned near a red building and surrounded by trees.
A woman smiles while standing inside a covered wagon parked on a gravel path, with wooden houses and trees in the background.
A colorful cutout board featuring figures in period costumes from the Little House on the Prairie series, with a smiling individual posing in one of the cutouts.
Lake Shetek

We camped at Lake Shetek State Park the first two nights. It is one of the largest and most popular lakes in Southwest Minnesota – but it was pretty quiet at this time of year.

Sophie and I are working on a goal of hiking all the Hiking Club trails at each of Minnesota’s state parks. This trail took us across a causeway to a little island we walked around. In the afternoon, we biked a portion of the Casey Jones State Bike Trail to the nearby town of Currie, which had an interesting railroad park that featured some old trains and even a working turntable. We biked alongside lots of cornfields ready for harvest on mostly flat roads, and we enjoyed this little glimpse of Minnesota farmlands.

A view of a serene lake framed by trees with autumn leaves and a cloudy sky.
A travel trailer parked next to a car in a campsite surrounded by trees with a scenic sunset view in the background.
A pot and a bowl of vegetable soup on a picnic table, with a slice of bread, a black camping mug, and a bottle of water, set against a sunset view over a lake.
A person walking along a gravel path beside a lake, with green trees and blue sky in the background.
A person hugging a large tree near a body of water, surrounded by foliage and blue sky.
A person walking along a dirt path beside a large oak tree against a backdrop of cloudy blue skies.
A man and a woman posing for a selfie while cycling on a paved path surrounded by tall grass and trees in a scenic outdoors setting.
A cyclist riding along a gravel path surrounded by tall grasses under a cloudy sky.
A cyclist wearing a bright yellow vest and sunglasses stands beside their bike on a paved path. The background features a cloudy sky and lush greenery, creating a peaceful outdoor scene.
A person wearing a black helmet and sunglasses smiles for a selfie while biking on a path next to a river, with a barn and silo visible in the background.
A cyclist in a bright green vest pauses on a bike path alongside tall, dry corn stalks beneath a partly cloudy blue sky.
Sign for End-O-Line Railroad Park with flowers and grass in the foreground.
A vintage red locomotive and caboose parked near a wooden fence, surrounded by lush green trees and a red barn in the background on a clear day.
A red-painted historic water tower next to a building with matching color; both structures are surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.
An old steam locomotive numbered 102 displayed beside a wooden railway express building, with red buildings and trees in the background under a blue sky.
A historic one-room schoolhouse named 'Sunrise School' with a wooden deck, located beside trees under a blue sky.
A red train caboose parked on a wooden platform near a curved railway track, surrounded by trees and a grassy area, with a rustic red barn in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A quiet rural street in Minnesota lined with parked pickup trucks and power lines, leading to a distant road under a cloudy sky.
A historic building with the sign 'U.S. Post Office' on the front, next to a modern establishment named 'The Hideaway,' under a partly cloudy sky.
A sign for the Currie Loop Segment of the Casey Jones State Trail, featuring a mural with illustrations of local history, including structures and natural features, alongside a parked bicycle in a grassy area.
A cyclist with a helmet rides along a path bordered by tall, golden corn stalks under a cloudy sky.
Two bicycles parked beside the entrance sign of Lake Shetek State Park, with tall grass and a cloudy sky in the background.
Pipestone

The next day, we drove to Pipestone to visit the Pipestone National Monument. Although the visitor center was closed due to the government shutdown, the grounds were open and we walked the scenic loop trail.

Pipestone (the actual stone) is a compact, fine-grained red-colored stone that is soft, smooth, and easy to carve – making it a preferred material for artisans. It occurs in thin layers often nestled between hard layers of other stone (like the Sioux quartzite found in Pipestone), which adds to the region’s geological diversity. The layer of pipestone happens to be close to the surface in this area, making quarrying it more accessible, though it still presents its own set of challenges due to the surrounding tough rock formations.

For over 3000 years, Native Americans have been quarrying pipestone to craft their ceremonial peace pipes, which hold significant cultural and spiritual value. This important tradition continues today, with Native people still quarrying in the area to honor their ancestors and keep the art alive.

We found the striking red pipestone beautiful, radiating warmth and vibrancy. We were equally captivated by the Sioux quartzite, which created stunning natural formations in various places, with their unique textures and colors that further enhanced the landscape’s allure. There was also a really cool, tranquil waterfall in one spot, and it gave me the chills just thinking about how people over the millennia may have been in the same spot enjoying this unique place.

Sign for Pipestone National Monument surrounded by tall grass and clear blue sky.
Sign at the Pipestone National Monument Visitor Center, featuring the National Park Service logo and surrounded by a rocky pathway.
Close-up of a stone wall featuring various shapes and shades of purple and pink stones, with a distinct arrowhead design embedded in the center.
A man stands at the bottom of a historic stone fort ruin, surrounded by dry grass and trees under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of colorful pipestone rock formations, showcasing various textures and hues with a flat stone surface, likely part of a natural setting.
Close-up view of red pipestone with unique textures and mineral patterns.
Rocky cliff face with shrubs and trees against a clear blue sky, surrounded by grassy terrain.
A person standing next to a large, colorful rock formation, with vibrant colors and textures in a natural setting.
Close-up view of colorful rock formations against a clear blue sky, with plant life growing nearby.
A person stands next to a large, pink-tinged rock formation along a paved pathway, surrounded by greenery and under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by greenery and trees under a clear blue sky.
Stone steps leading through a narrow passage between large rocks, surrounded by fallen leaves and greenery.
Close-up view of a textured rock surface displaying natural patterns and color variations.
Close-up of a large, weathered rock formation with a tree overhead and blue sky in the background.

Following our visit of the Pipestone National Monument, we stopped at a nearby gift shop built like a fort where we admired beautiful peace pipes and other objects made out of pipestone. After a picnic lunch at the city park across the street and a quick stroll through the town of Pipestone, our next stop was Split Rock Creek State Park for some hiking. We enjoyed another Hiking Club trail that featured a stunning vista of prairie grass in the late afternoon sun.

A person standing in front of a rusted metal sculpture depicting two horses and a carriage, set against a wooden fort-like background under a clear blue sky.
Display case featuring various traditional Native American peace pipes and wooden flutes, surrounded by small white pebbles.
A person sitting at a picnic table by a small pond, enjoying a sunny day outdoors. The individual is wearing sunglasses and a hoodie, with a backpack nearby, surrounded by tall grasses and trees.
A large, decorated pipe monument with a feather design, set against a backdrop of trees and buildings in a park.
Exterior view of a historical building in Pipestone, featuring yellow brick walls, adorned with red stone accents, and a black door with decorative features, surrounded by wooden benches on a porch.
A stone structure with a wooden roof stands next to a calm lake under a clear blue sky, surrounded by fields and trees.
Two deer standing in a wooded area surrounded by greenery and foliage.
A scenic view of open grasslands under a clear sky, illuminated by soft sunset light, with distant trees and gently rolling hills in the background.
Blue Mounds

We camped that night in Blue Mounds State Park. This is an interesting place where hard Sioux quartzite rock rises up from the surrounding plain creating a large hill and interesting cliff faces. The quartzite actually didn’t rise up, but it was the surrounding prairie that eroded over the millennia leaving these rocks and hill protruding behind. The park is quite large and features a prairie that is now home to a buffalo herd. On our first evening there, we drove to the southern edge of the park were we saw the buffaloes in the distance as the sun set.

Sign for Blue Mounds State Park featuring a bison illustration against a clear blue sky.
A panoramic view of a prairie landscape with wind turbines in the background, showing a herd of cattle grazing on green grass amidst golden tall grass.
A scenic view of a sunset over a grassy landscape with large rocks in the foreground, showcasing the warm hues of orange and yellow in the sky.
A vibrant sunset over a grassy landscape, featuring large stone formations in the foreground.
A vibrant sunset over a grassy landscape with silhouettes of trees and distant wind turbines.
A scenic view of a grassy landscape at dusk, featuring large boulders in the foreground and a soft gradient sky transitioning from pink to blue in the background.

The next day we walked the 6+ mile Hiking Club trail. It started along a river that cut through the prairie, then continued along the upper ridge of the Sioux quartzite cliffs and returned along the prairie where the buffaloes roamed. It was a beautiful hike with amazing views.

We discovered Blue Mounds is home to the only native cactus in Minnesota: the prickly pear cactus. It grew quite prolifically along the top of the rocky ridge. You had to be very careful not to step on one as their long, sharp spikes could go right through the sole of your shoes. They were beautiful and exotic to us. Many of the cliff faces were tall and impressive – popular with rock climbers. We could see the plains below, with farms dotting the land. What a fun hike! We were lucky that it was a sunny, albeit windy, day.

A serene view of a winding creek surrounded by lush green grass and distant trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A person walking along a grassy path bordered by cornfields under a partly cloudy sky.
A hiker walking along a trail surrounded by tall grass and sparse trees under a clear blue sky.
A view of a calm river reflecting trees, seen from a rocky ledge with pink-hued stone in the foreground.
Two people smiling together in a grassy field, wearing sunglasses and casual outdoor clothing, with blue skies and a few clouds in the background.
A solitary tree stands in a field of tall, dry grass under a clear blue sky.
Close-up view of layered red rock formations surrounded by autumn foliage and clear blue sky.
A person standing on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a vast, grassy landscape under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of rolling hills and fields in Southwest Minnesota, featuring rugged red and gray rock formations covered with moss, surrounded by grasses and sparse trees.
A man and a woman seated on a rocky outcrop surrounded by prairie landscape during a sunny day. The woman is wearing a cap and sunglasses, and the man is also wearing a cap and sunglasses, both appear to be enjoying their break while hiking.
A person stands between two large rock formations in a wooded area during autumn, surrounded by fallen leaves and trees with sparse foliage.
A hiker walking along a rocky trail surrounded by sparse vegetation and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A view from above a rugged rock cliff showcasing the textured surface of the cliff face and the surrounding landscape, featuring patches of greenery and a clear sky in the background.
A scenic view of a rocky cliff with layered red and beige stones overlooking a grassy area.
A person standing on a rocky ledge with a scenic view of cliffs and prairie lands in the background, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A person standing on a hiking trail surrounded by bare trees and large boulders, with fallen leaves covering the ground.
A close-up view of a large, textured rock formation with various shades of red and brown, surrounded by autumn leaves and trees.
Close-up of a hiking boot standing on rocky terrain, surrounded by colorful autumn leaves and a prickly pear cactus.
A prickly pear cactus growing among rocky terrain, surrounded by grasses and autumn foliage.
A person walking along a grassy trail in a wide open prairie under a cloudy sky.
A person standing on a large rock surrounded by tall grass and an open field under a cloudy sky.
A person sitting on a rocky outcrop, looking through binoculars at a wide-open landscape of grasslands and fields under a cloudy sky.
A person walking along a dirt trail in a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic view of rolling hills with a herd of cattle grazing in the foreground and farms visible in the distance, representing the rural landscape of Minnesota.

The next day we rode a newly-paved bike trail into the nearby town of Luverne, MN. This trail went below the quartzite ridge, so we got a different view of the cliffs. It was another beautiful day and we enjoyed biking again.

A cyclist smiling while resting on a bike along a paved trail, with grassy fields and a rocky cliff in the background under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a prairie landscape with a rocky cliff formation and blue sky, featuring a hint of a moon in the upper right corner.
A man and a woman smiling at the camera while biking on a trail, with a rocky cliff and blue sky in the background.

Luverne is a very charming town! We stopped at the Rock County History Center first, where we learned about the Luverne Automobile Company. This company produced beautiful cars between 1903 and 1917, when it changed its focus to trucks and eventually became well-known for building fire engines.

We saw an ad for the 1911 Montana Special car, which boasted 50 hp and was touted as being built for the mountains. It was priced at $3,000, which would be nearly $750,000 today—so definitely not priced for the average Joe. We admired this amazing car, what a beauty!

Vintage advertisement for the Luverne Automobile Company's 'Montana Special' car featuring specifications like price, horsepower, and design details.
A classic 1911 Luverne automobile displayed in a museum, highlighting its vintage design with brass features and wooden wheels.
A vintage 1911 Luverne automobile displayed inside a museum, featuring wooden spoked wheels, brass details, and a turquoise interior, with a velvet rope barrier in front.
Close-up view of a brass instrument, possibly a tuba, with various pipes and components visible in the background.

The other interesting thing in the museum is a display of nearly 6500 nutcrackers (and counting). This started as the personal collection of Betty Mann, a charming 94-year-old lady.

Betty bought her first nutcracker on clearance at a Cracker Barrel in 2001 to cheer herself up, after she lost her husband and daughter right before the holidays. She said things kind of mushroomed after that and people started sending her nutcrackers from all around the world. She was manning the gift shop when we were there and was the sweetest lady. There were also quite a few artsy nutcrackers adorning the streets of Luverne.

A man in biking attire stands next to a large nutcracker figure in a gift shop filled with numerous nutcracker decorations.
Interior of a gift shop featuring large nutcracker decorations on either side, with various nutcracker figurines displayed in glass cabinets in the background. A person is seen walking in the aisle.
A vibrant display of various nutcracker figurines in festive costumes, showcasing intricate details and designs, stacked closely together on shelves.
A collection of colorful nutcracker figurines, each dressed in traditional outfits with unique hats and accessories, displayed on a wooden shelf.
A display of nutcracker figurines in a shop, featuring a large nutcracker figure on the left, alongside a glass cabinet filled with smaller nutcracker decorations. A television screen shows a woman holding another nutcracker.
An elderly woman wearing a blue shirt stands in a room filled with various nutcrackers and holiday decorations, surrounded by display cabinets showcasing more collectible items.
A woman in cycling gear stands next to a painted wooden statue in Luverne, Minnesota, with a bicycle nearby.
A cyclist in a bright yellow vest stands next to a colorful nutcracker statue in a park.

We rode around town admiring the old homes and buildings before heading back to our camper in Blue Mounds State Park.

A person sitting in a large, bright red Adirondack chair with 'Luverne' and 'Love the life!' written on it, next to a bicycle.
View of a historic downtown street with colorful buildings and a theater marquee reading 'PALACE'. Clear blue sky overhead.
A stone church building with a bell tower and a gabled roof, featuring large windows and a wooden deck. A black fence encircles the property, with trees and clear blue sky in the background.
A historic building featuring intricate architecture and a distinctive turret, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
Historic building with a pink stone façade and large windows, featuring modern signage for a restaurant called 'REVEL'. The street is lined with parked cars and trees under a clear blue sky.
A view of Hart Beauty Lounge, a salon with a pink stone facade and modern signage, located in a downtown area. Cars are parked along the street, and the sky is clear and blue.
Historic brick building in New Ulm, Minnesota, featuring arched windows and decorative cornice, with parked vehicles on a sunny day.
A cyclist on a paved bike path surrounded by fields and a distant hill under a clear blue sky.

We ate a quick lunch and left Blue Mounds State Park. We stopped at Kilen Woods State Park on our way to New Ulm to tick off another Hiking Club Trail. Once again, the trail didn’t disappoint, and featured a variety of environments for us to walk through. We particularly liked the rolling hills covered in prairie grass.

A wooden sign displaying a map of Kilen Woods State Park, highlighting various nature trails including Rock Creek Trail and Sioux Trail, with a compass rose indicating north.
Person walking along a leaf-covered trail in a densely wooded area with autumn foliage.
View of a harvested field bordered by trees with autumn foliage, showing a clear blue sky.
A sunlit field with tall grass and a clear blue sky in the background, capturing the essence of a serene autumn day.
A hiker walking on a trail surrounded by tall grass and a clear blue sky.
A grassy hiking trail winding through a gently sloping landscape with trees and hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
A person walking along a grassy trail in an open landscape with rolling hills and trees in the background, under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of rolling hills covered in tall grass, under a clear blue sky, showcasing the beauty of autumn in Southwest Minnesota.
New Ulm

Our final stop (and the impetus for this trip) was the city of New Ulm for a celebration of Oktoberfest. We camped in nearby Flandrau State Park and headed to Schell’s Brewery the next morning.

Schell’s is the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the country, started in 1860 by a German immigrant named August Schell. (The oldest is Yuengling’s in PA which we visited in 2023). The brewery is located in a steep valley next to the Cottonwood River, which provided access to clean spring water and ice for the natural refrigeration in caves dug under the brewery.

Schell’s Oktoberfest is extremely popular! Even though we showed up before they opened, the line to enter was a mile long. But everyone was in good spirits, and many in lederhosen holding their own steins! Once inside, there was fun German music, lots of food and of course, lots of beer. The grounds around the brewery and around August Schell’s house are very beautiful. Despite the long lines, we enjoyed the experience and we got to sample sausages, sauerkraut, beer and pretzels. After trying a little bit of everything and observing the fun events (like who can hold up their full stein the longest), we left to explore the town of New ULM.

A large crowd of people waits in line along a tree-lined path, showcasing vibrant fall foliage.
A welcome banner for Schell's Oktoberfest at Schell's Brewery, featuring the brewery's logo with a blue and white checkered background and man and deer motifs.
A couple poses for a selfie in front of the A. Schell Brewery building, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.
A horse-drawn beer wagon decorated with flowers and barrels, parked outside a brewery during Oktoberfest celebrations. A man in traditional attire sits on the wagon, while a crowd enjoys the festivities in the background under a clear blue sky.
Outdoor scene during Schell's Oktoberfest with people enjoying food and drinks at tables outside a brick building, surrounded by greenery and festive decorations.
A lively outdoor scene with a crowd enjoying a sunny day at a brewery. The foreground features people sitting on a low wall and standing, with some holding drinks. The building is a brick structure adorned with ivy and flower arrangements, and there are blue umbrellas in the background.
Historic brick mansion with a Victorian architectural style, surrounded by greenery and a line of people waiting outside.
A gazebo surrounded by colorful flowers in a lush green park setting.
A peaceful park scene featuring tall trees with bright green leaves, shadowed pathways, and vibrant flowerbeds, with people seated on benches enjoying the surroundings.
A decorative stone structure with a colorful mosaic at the base, surrounded by lush green foliage.
A crowded outdoor event scene with people gathered in a park-like setting, surrounded by trees and colorful flowers under a clear blue sky.
A historic brick building with intricate architectural details, featuring arched windows and a porch. In front, there is a gazebo surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery, under a clear blue sky.
A close-up view of a charming brick house with decorative porch details, featuring colorful flower baskets hanging by the entrance, surrounded by vibrant flowers in the garden under a clear blue sky.
Banner for Schell's Oktoberfest featuring DJs and graphic elements related to music and celebration.
A festive crowd dressed in traditional German attire at an outdoor Oktoberfest celebration, surrounded by trees and enjoying the sunny fall weather.
A crowded festive tent filled with people enjoying Oktoberfest celebrations, decorated with clouds and colorful decorations.
A man in traditional Bavarian attire plays the accordion while a woman in a blue dress performs on the flute at a festive event.
A colorful beer wagon decorated with flowers and barrels, displayed indoors.
A large crowd of people enjoying a festival outdoors, with trees and buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.
A lively scene depicting a crowd at an Oktoberfest celebration, with participants on stage holding beer steins and wearing traditional attire, surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
People enjoying an outdoor gathering in a park with trees and a historic building in the background. Some individuals are seated on the grass and pathways, holding drinks and chatting.
A crowd gathered at the entrance of an Oktoberfest celebration, with a blue barricade and a festive banner in the foreground. The background features brick buildings and a clear sky, surrounded by green foliage.
Crowd of people at an Oktoberfest celebration with a large tent and decorated flag in the foreground.
A man and a woman smiling while holding large pretzels at an outdoor event, with people seated in the background.
A man in traditional attire lies on the grass near a flower bed, with a group of people seated in the background at an outdoor event.
A couple poses for a selfie on a tree-lined path during autumn, with colorful leaves scattered on the ground and other people walking in the background.
People walking along a tree-lined path during an outdoor Oktoberfest celebration, with autumn foliage visible.

New Ulm is very proud of its German Heritage – and has been since its founding. The downtown is very quaint and featured a working Glockenspiel built in the late 1970s. We got there just in time for the 3pm show.

A charming street scene in a small town, featuring red brick buildings with detailed architectural elements, parked cars lining the street, and a mix of greenery and sidewalk decorations under a cloudy sky.
Exterior view of Veigel's Kaiserlhoff, a restaurant featuring a sign that advertises authentic German food and live music. The building is made of brick, showing a welcoming front with open windows and a decorative entrance.
A street view of a quaint town featuring historic red brick buildings, parked cars, and cloudy skies.
A lively outdoor market scene in New Ulm, Minnesota, showcasing vendor tables with various handmade crafts and ceramics set against a large, colorful mural depicting iconic local imagery.
A street view of a small town featuring brick buildings, including a law office and a building adorned with decorative architectural details, with parked cars in the foreground and the sky partly cloudy.
A street view of a historic downtown area featuring charming storefronts with architectural details, including decorative cornices and awnings. The scene includes vehicles parked along the road and a few trees, with a cloudy sky overhead.
Historic brick building with elaborate architectural details, featuring pointed roofs and decorative elements, surrounded by trees and street signs.
A large, red Victorian-style house surrounded by trees and ivy, with intricate architectural details and a cloudy sky in the background.
A tall decorative pole with various painted figures representing historical scenes and symbols, set against a cloudy sky in a small town street.
A clock tower, known as New Ulm's Glockenspiel, featuring large clock faces and animated figures, with a historical plaque in the foreground explaining its significance and construction.
A decorative tower featuring a clock and several figures playing musical instruments, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers.

But the most unusual thing in New Ulm might be the Hermann Monument – a massive statue sitting on a hill high above town. It was erected in 1897 by the National Sons of Hermann Lodges in the U.S. after a similar (but twice as large) statue was built in Germany. Hermann was a legendary leader of the German tribes who defeated the Romans in 9A.D. He became a symbol of liberty and unity in Germany. We bought tickets at the monument base and climbed to the top of the cupola for great views of New Ulm and the surrounding area.

The Hermann Monument in New Ulm, Minnesota, featuring a statue of Hermann atop a cylindrical structure surrounded by lion statues, under a cloudy sky.
Hermann Monument on a hill in New Ulm, Minnesota, featuring a statue of Hermann with a sword, situated atop a circular structure with stairs and lion sculptures at the base.
A view of the Hermann Monument in New Ulm, Minnesota, featuring a statue atop a cylindrical structure, surrounded by columns and decorative lions. People can be seen ascending the spiral staircase on the monument.
A close-up view of the Hermann Monument, a large bronze statue of a warrior raising a sword, set against a cloudy sky.
A view looking down a spiral staircase with ornate black railings, revealing the ground level where a lion statue is visible on a grassy area.
A panoramic view of a small town showcasing trees with fall foliage, houses, and a baseball field, under a cloudy sky.
A panoramic view of a town in Southwest Minnesota adorned with autumn colors, featuring trees with orange and yellow leaves and residential buildings in the distance.

Our final activity in New Ulm was walking the Hiking Club trail back at Flandrau State Park. It was another interesting trail that went along the Cottonwood river, through some woods and across a pretty meadow. The winds were picking up and the temps dropping by the time we got back. We enjoyed the warmth of our camper overnight, and a nice breakfast the following morning before heading home. Another fun camping trip in the books!

A scenic view of a winding river bordered by trees and grassy shores under a cloudy sky.
A scenic view of a grassy field under a cloudy sky during sunset, with tall grass swaying gently in the foreground.
A scenic view of a grassy field with autumn foliage and trees under a cloudy sky.
A gray car parked next to a small white camper trailer, surrounded by trees and autumn foliage in a campground setting.
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