Mille Lacs Kathio

This past weekend we were going to be going to Kilen Woods State Park for a little Fall camping…my favorite kind. I love Fall!

However, we have been having so much rain in our area that there was quite a bit of problems with flooding, so our trip to Kilen Woods in Southern Minnesota, with their trails being under 6 feet of water, turned into a trip that led us up to Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

Finding, once there, that there were no spots available to accommodate us, we moved on a bit farther to Father Hennepin State Park.  Got a very nice spot at Father Hennepin, but due to the fact we had been there a few times and that Mille Lacs Kathio was only 15 miles (approx.) away from there we spent all of out time hiking at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

We also found out that this particular weekend it was considered one of the ‘hot spots’ for Fall leaf color in Minnesota.  Cool, that was the main reason for getting out into the woods this weekend. Minnesota has some stunning Fall Color shows, just breath taking when the skies are blue. Still beautiful even under gray skies. However, we lucked out on *all* accounts because while we were there the skies cleared and we were treated to beautiful displays of vivid golds, oranges, yellows and reds against a backdrop of bright blue and puffy snow white clouds. Perfect!

 

Ruby (above), our grand-greyhound, was staying with us this week so she came along with us on this camping trip.

“I like it when Ruby comes to keep me company! Even if she always takes the best bed before I can get it!”

“Oh Renner! You know that bed is just as good as this one.”

“Sigh…matter of opinion!”

ANYHOO… the leaves were gorgeous and we enjoyed car rides to and from Kathio as well as going up to Brainerd just to get some more popcorn for the late night card games when we were done roasting marshmallows around the fire.

A bog walk at Kathio.

Mushrooms and assorted bog loving plants.

“Mom, bring back some treats for me along with the popcorn you are getting at the market!”

Lake Mille Lacs is a huge lake.

This is a photo of ‘Paul Bunyan Land’ in the Brainerd area. It was closed when we drove by, but I’d never seen it before…so now I guess I can say I have! ;) It is a little ‘fun park’.

Walleye fishing is big in Minnesota, especially on Lake Mille Lacs.

“WOW… did you see the size of *that* fish!”

A row of ice fishing houses lined up and waiting for those lakes to freeze over. Shouldn’t be too long of a wait.

A Fall holdout.

“Which way should we go now?”

“This way guys!”

Interesting mushrooms.

Looking across Lake Ogechie.

A campsite at Kathio surrounded by the beauty of Fall.

Just some reflections of a fun weekend.

“Yep…we are worn out!”

“Yes…and Ruby kisses to all!”

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