Moose Lake, MN by way of the Munger Trail

We rode our bikes into Carlton to find the Willard Munger Trail and Jay Cooke State Park. At the trailhead, we found a couple of retired local gentlemen who said they were riding to Moose Lake and we would like having lunch at Joe Jitters if we rode that way.

 

One man is 74 years old so we figured that sounded good and headed the direction they suggested.

They had some great red beans and rice soup and sandwiches with wild rice and cranberry bread. They wouldn't tell me where I could buy some. They looked like such nice ladies but not giving up their secrets. 

The leaves are stating to change and feels like fall in the air even though it is August. 

As we entered Moose Lake we found more rails to trails to ride. Maybe the Soo Line someday.

More of the Munger Trail

Never trust a 74 year old local in spandex. That was one long 51 mile ride.

                                                Ahhh a little Danger Ale after the ride.

Willard Munger Trail and St Croix State Park

We decided a 40 mile bike ride on the state trail would be good after spending the past days driving. Who cares that temps would be 88 degrees with high humidity? I thought that riding on a flat rails to trail would be a piece of cake after riding in Colorado. Not so. When riding flat terrain, if you stop pedaling with a head wind, you stop all together. We stopped in the next town to get cold drinks. Our ice water was warm. A lady asked what we were doing riding in this humidity. I looked in the mirror and my bright red face looked like the windshields of the cars, covered with bugs.

 

Along the trail, there are places to camp.

The blackberries were ready for picking and we did.

It is hard to tell but 3 horned owls flew over our heads. They were huge. One stopped and was looking at me with those great eyes. I tried to get a pictures but totally missed him before he backed off. Mike was only able to get a distant picture.

The persevered railroad stations along the path in each town.

How could we pass up a farm stand on the way home? I bet we stop again tomorrow for more tomatoes.

 

St Croix State Park has a fire tower that was built in 1937 and we thought we should climb it.

As we got higher, it got cooler since the breeze could go thru the treetops and less bugs.

It is flat here.

Good thing we got out early for our walk. We decided against kayaking because of the heat. There are shuttles to take you up river. Things are supposed to cool down Sunday. It almost feels like Costa Rica here. We are still having a good time just spending the afternoons in the air conditioning.