Summer fun in Minnesota
From the President
By Tim Farrell
If F. Scott Fitzgerald was observing the scene in Minnesota today, chances are good he'd tell stories about the flood of people emerging from their winter hibernation into the fragrant warm season as walkers, runners, hikers, birders, gardeners, cyclists and many more activities. As spring molts into summer, we have so many choices to enjoy the outdoors and nature. I hope all of you, dear readers, have plans to enjoy our outdoor splendors to the fullest over the coming months. You can do it in "relaxed form" or in "adventure mode" - but do it!
Sit in a chaise and read Gatsby, careen down a single track over roots and around boulders, hook the big one in Lake Superior, or glide across a prairie in sight of a bison herd - all this and much more is just waiting for you at Minnesota's parks and trails. And, in these difficult economic times, these outdoor pleasures are easy on the wallet and high in value. Changing one's scene, especially where the wonders and harmony of nature are up close, pays great dividends for body and mind.
My steps this season to collect some of those dividends began a few weeks ago when I unlimbered my bike and rode along the Mississippi. I look forward to getting out into the countryside and exploring trails and the towns and parkland they pass through. Some trails will be new to me and some just opened. Minnesota has added a significant amount of new trail miles for people to explore this year. These additions are moving us toward our vision of an interconnected system of parks and trails.
One exciting possibility some of us in the Parks & Trails Council are exploring is the idea of supported lodge-to-lodge or park-to-park biking on our expanding network of trails and quiet, scenic byways. This kind of biking holiday is very common in Europe, New Zealand, even Viet Nam. We believe it can become so in Minnesota. There are many questions to be answered but the tourism benefit - spread a "Lanesboro-effect" around the state - would be quite significant. Stay tuned.
A great opportunity for a supported biking adventure, relaxation, and camaraderie is the Parks & Trails Council's Fifth Annual Bike Minnesota with Parks & Trails Labor Day weekend ride led by Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge David Minge. This year the event will be based out of Beaver Creek Valley State Park in southeastern Minnesota. The best proof of the fun to be had is the number of repeat riders. Once a person does one ride, he or she is hooked. F. Scott would spin it into a rich story.
Do plan to join us. For more information visit our events page.
