Driving east across the state as part of a summer road trip, we first stopped to tour Pipestone National Monument where we hiked the Circle Trail to see Winnewissa Falls, the pipestone quarries, and the numerous rock formations. We were also fortunate to have the opportunity to watch some of the native artisans carving the stone. The carved turtles were especially neat because we saw a large snapping turtle on our hike by the waterfall.
After hiking at Pipestone, the weather turned and it began to rain and storm, so we went to town for an extended lunch at a pizza buffet to try and wait out the thunderstorm. Continuing east in the rain, we followed the Laura Ingalls Wilder Highway to New Ulm. This highway passes through the town of Walnut Grove, which is one of the childhood homes of author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Next, we followed the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway to Mankato.
We visited several attractions around Mankato, starting with the beautiful Minneopa Falls waterfall in Minneopa State Park. We were the only people at the falls, and the rain stopped long enough for us to have a great visit viewing the impressive double waterfall. We also stopped to view Minnemishinona Falls before spending the night in Mankato.
The next morning, we drove through the 325-acre bison habitat at Minneopa State Park. While unfortunately none of the bison were near the driving path, we did get to see the historic Seppman Grist Mill before getting back on the road and driving east to Rochester and the Mississippi River.
Benjamin and Elizabeth flew to St. Paul to see the visiting CPKC Steam Engine 2816 'The Empress' at St. Paul Union Depot. The train was traveling south on a North American trip called the Final Spike Tour which included stops in Canada, the USA, and Mexico. While in the city, they also met Benjamin's father and visited Como Park to tour the Zoo, Botanical Conservatory, and ride Cafesjian's Carousel. After spending a morning in Como Park, they also visited the Minnesota State Capitol grounds, had a nice meal together at Urban Wok, then Benjamin and Elizabeth took a walk along the Mississippi River before spending the night at the impressive St. Paul Custom House Hotel.
Before leaving St. Paul, Benjamin and Elizabeth toured the Jackston Street Roundhouse, which is part of the Minnesota Transportation Museum. They were able to see behind the scenes on a personal tour of the shops and were even able to take a ride around the property in the cupola of an old Soo Line caboose.
A few days later they returned to Minnesota and spent a night in Red Wing where they enjoyed a great meal at Smokin' Oak Rotisserie. In Hastings, they stopped at the viewing platform at Lock and Dam Number 2 on the Mississippi River and visited Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Back in the Twin Cities, they stopped briefly to tour the grounds of Historic Fort Snelling near the airport. The buildings were closed, but they did see a few Bald Eagles flying overhead along the Mississippi River.
Benjamin and his sister flew to Minneapolis – Saint Paul International Airport, then drove south through Rochester on their way to a funeral. The next day they drove along the Mississippi River back to the Twin Cities to spend a night with family. They enjoyed a nice dinner and took in a movie at a nearby theater before flying home the next morning.
In late September we drove the North Shore of Minnesota along the shoreline of Lake Superior. Along with the fall colors, we also saw many waterfalls and lighthouses. From Duluth, we drove north and stopped at Agate Bay in Two Harbors where we saw the Two Harbors Lighthouse. Next, we stopped at Gooseberry Falls State Park where we saw the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls of the Gooseberry River. After viewing the Split Rock Lighthouse and Cross River Falls, we then stopped at Temperance River State Park to view the narrow falls of the Temperance River.
At the north end of the drive, we toured the reconstructed fur trading post at Grand Portage National Monument, then ended our drive at the Canada border where we visited Grand Portage State Park and hiked to Pigeon Falls, the largest waterfall in Minnesota.
We flew to the Twin Cities and spent a day in St. Paul visiting the Minnesota State Capitol, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. We also attended mass at the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Paul. A few days later we spent an afternoon in Minneapolis touring the Mill City Museum and St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River.
We drove to Rochester to tour the facilities at the Mayo Clinic. While there, we were treated to dinner at Victoria's Ristorante and stayed at the Grand Kahler Hotel. We also walked through the 'subway' shops and saw the Corn Water Tower.
We drove to Minneapolis for an interview Tiffany had at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. While in Minneapolis we shopped at the Mall of America, stayed downtown at the Renaissance Depot Hotel, and had an entertaining meal at Dick's Last Resort.
Both of our mothers came with us on the trip and during the interview Benjamin took them to the University of Minnesota campus, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and the Stone Arch Bridge in Mill Ruins Park where they walked across the Mississippi River and saw Saint Anthony Falls.
We drove to Minneapolis where we visited the Mall of America, rode surreys around Minnehaha Falls Park, and attended a Minnesota Twins baseball game at Target Field.
Benjamin traveled to Minnesota for a family vacation around the Brainerd area. He stayed at the Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake and spent several days fishing, camping, and boating.
Benjamin and his father drove to Minneapolis to attend a convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center.