Lake Maria State Park MN a small hike?

We didn't take the rv to Lake Maria State Park http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_maria/index.html we actually drove the truck, it's not to far from the house. We've been meaning to get to this park for awhile but had to wait for the kids to get a little older cause we didn't know what the trails were like. One weekend we decided to head out not for a long walk, (so we thought) and just see how the park is. It's actually really nice with wide dirt trails moderate hills

and pleanty of water for frogs, birds,turtles  and loons.

 We headed in and we decided to just do a loop (so we thought).  My kids after seeing a map decided to go see the lake they didn't realize how far it was but we decided to keep going. When we can down the hill to the lake was a dock and canoes that were padlocked up also a bench and a picnic table to use. We sat and watched a loon and his buddies swim around and catch some food. 

 After a little rest we hiked on followed the trail out. There are primitive campsites all around with a food box, picnic table, and a campfire ring with a swing grill on them. There are outside primitive outhouses. One cool thing I found out is they have small cabins to rent. The running toilets and water are in the resources building near the parking lot. We definitely will go back out there for a outing next time we'll pack a lunch and toilet paper. 

Belly Tree, I found my nature brother. 

Just thought a close up was cool. 

Time to go

We finally made plans to take it to the campground that we stayed at last year, St. Cloud Clearwater Campground, http://www.time2camp.com/ and make sure there wasn't going to be anymore surprises. We like this park because it close and if anything were to happen my parents live in town so we've got another place to stay. We got here early this year they were fixing the pool and putting in a new mini golf course. They have pedal carts for the kids and a playground. We pulled in on Friday evening set up and had dinner. We usually just hang out that first night. We got up Saturday morning and decided to go for a walk to the Clearwater River. We took the bike/walking path.

We had to walk on the county road just a short distance to get to the start of the path. 

It is a really nice paved path to the damn. When we got there was a bunch of peopl fishing in the river. I use to bike down here with a school friend of mine when I was much younger and they actually cleaned it up since then. They have picnic areas and brige that goes to a small park.

It was a really nice day to go exploring. Here's a video of Clearwater River 

http://youtu.be/i9RyIxwcAIA

We headed back because we heard that there maybe some weather coming in and we didn't want to be caught in it. Here's a time-lapse video of the walk back. http://youtu.be/RbmMmqKdWl4

When we got back we all kinda crashed my daughter passed out in the back I fell asleep in my wife's reclining chair and Jenn and my son just hung out. It was time to eat we started the campfire 

And we roasted hot dogs we felt a few warning drop of Mother Nature and headed in. Just as we were eating it down poured for maybe 30 minutes. They campfire was still going so we decided if it stops it's s'more time. It stopped it's time to eat again.

After the s'mores we just hung out by the campfire and just stare at it, it's the best reality tv there is. We turned in a little early slept in on Sunday. After breakfast we cleaned out the RV and drain the tanks. Then we look around the site to see if we left anything do the walk around  to make sure all the doors are closed and  make sure that antenne is down. What a great start to 2014! Next trip is to Shades of Sherwood in Zumbrota Minnesota. http://www.shadesofsherwood.com/

For my neice and nephews graduation parties. Hope it doesn't rain.........