Category: nature

10,000 Lakes and Counting

by Best of the Midwest, posted in adventure, kayaking, lakes, midwest usa, nature, photography, River, Travel

Looking for adventure in Minnesota….

  1. Fall colors at Mic Mac Lake in Tettegouche State Park / by Wayne Moran

    Chase the Fall Colors on Minnesota’s North Shore

    It’s always worth visiting the North Shore, but in September and October, the region transforms into a truly magical destination that practically insists on becoming your annual vacation spot.

  2. Boundary Waters SQ

    A Beginner’s Boundary Waters Itinerary: Four Days in Paradise

    One of the hardest things about planning your first Boundary Waters trip is deciding where to go within the vast preserve’s 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 11 hiking trails and approximately 2,000 designated campsites. This four-day itinerary highlights some of the best sights and camping spots along a moderate course, and ends with a hearty dose of small town Minnesota on the final day—a complete “Up North” experience if there ever was one.

  3. Arctic Cat ATV

    Minnesota’s ATV Trails Cater to All Riders

    Minnesota boasts dozens of trails for all-terrain vehicle riders. Opportunities exist for riders throughout Minnesota, with the majority of trails clustered in the northern part of the state. There are trails to match every skill level, from flat and open trails that cater to beginners, to narrow, winding trails that will challenge even the most experienced riders.

  4. Northeast Voyageurs

    Houseboating & More at Voyageurs National Park

    Voyageurs National Park is Minnesota’s only full-fledged national park. It is uniquely water-based among national parks, with its interior accessible only by water. 240 camping, houseboat and day-use sites dot the shores of four large, island-studded lakes, and dozens of smaller lakes, along the Canadian border.

  5. Find Creature Comforts in the Midst of Wild Nature

    Find Creature Comforts in the Midst of Wild Nature

    The Boundary Waters is a true wilderness preserved within Superior National Forest’s 3 million acres, and offers its many visitors an experience of a lifetime. But it isn’t the only place to take in the area’s beauty. Much of the forest shares the BWCAW’s distinctive, rugged beauty.

  6. Voyageurs National Park

    The Big 6: Minnesota’s Spectacular National Park Sites

    Six diverse and unique national park sites can be found in Minnesota, preserving and highlighting some of our most distinctive natural, historical and cultural resources.

     

For more information on these and other ideas visit http://www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/all-travel-ideas

Fox River Wildlife Up Close

by Best of the Midwest, posted in kayaking, midwest usa, nature, photography, River, Travel
If you want to see plenty of exciting wild life creatures up close……………plan a kayak trip on the Fox River in the Summer months.  On a recent 3 hour kayak expedition during the month of August, one can plan to see and photograph large mouth bass jumping out of the water after flies and smaller flying creatures.  Turtles swimming around the lily pads close to the river banks.  Carp spawning in the creamy mud banks alongside the river.
In addition to the many underwater animals you’ll see many large flying birds such as Blue Herons, swallows and cranes hunting alongside the river banks for small insects and fish.  As you round each bend and turn on the river you never know what to expect or what you will see.  A true adventure awaits you on the Fox River in McHenry County, Illinois. 

Kite Ballet? Yup

by Best of the Midwest, posted in kite, midwest usa, nature, photography, Travel

High-flying professionals demonstrate awesome feats of beauty and great skill at the Chicago Botanical Gardens in Illinois.  The coordination of these light flying crafts was spectacular.

The Chicago Fire Kite Team has been competing and demonstrating team sport kite ballet and precision since 1986. Invited to kite festivals around the world, they have flown in front of friendly crowds in England, France, Japan, Canada, and the United States.

Canyons and Waterfalls

by Best of the Midwest, posted in midwest usa, nature, photography, Travel

Plan to be surprised and awed at the spectacular natural features found here at Starved Rock in Illinois.

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Surrounded by the flat, seemingly endless fields of Illinois farm country, a totally different topography is found within the park. Starved Rock was formed thousands of years ago by the melting of glaciers releasing torrents of water. As the water rushed downstream it eroded and stripped away everything in its path except the resistant St. Peter sandstone. It is that sandstone that formed the steep rock walls and the cool dark valleys of the eighteen canyons. When conditions are right cascades of falling water spill down into these gorges, creating the waterfalls so many come here to enjoy.

WATERFALLS
Although you can technically see waterfalls in 14 of the 18 canyons, some of the most scenic waterfalls are found in St. Louis, French, Wildcat, Tonty, Ottawa and Kaskaskia canyons. The best times to see waterfalls are in the spring when the snow and ice melt or after a heavy rainfall.

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ICEFALLS
Winter brings a whole new life to the canyons. The freezing and melting that happens during this time of year creates amazing ice sculptures in the canyons. Make sure you come back in the winter to see an icefall – they are spectacular!

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