Rides of Summer II

I revisited the MN River Trails yesterday.  This time I came prepared...

Although the sand wasn't as bad as it was earlier this spring, there were times when the fat wheels were put to good use. Every sand trap was totally rideable on the fat bike.  The MN Valley State Trail from Sibley House to 494 is almost entirely rideable on skinny tires.  It is a really pretty section of trail... an old dirt road running under a thick canopy.

After 494 the sand traps became more frequent...

Shortly after the above pic was taken, the trail became part of the river...

The fat tires enabled me to ride down the submerged trail, but after about 20 feet it got too deep.  I was fine with this being my turn-around point since I wanted to play bike polo later that evening.  It was a beautiful day and I was feeling good, so had the trail been passable I probably would have just kept on riding all day...

With all the June rain, the Minnesota River is running really high.  I'm curious much of the trail is flooded... I might try approaching from the Hwy 77 side and see how far I can get.

While stopping to take some pics on the way back, I noticed this little toad.  He was tiny.  And great camouflage... can you find him?

I also stopped by Fort Snelling on the way home.  One of these days I'll remember a flask of whiskey for an honorary pull at Whiskey's grave.  Whiskey was a trick horse and the lead polo horse on Fort Snelling's polo team back in the 1920's.  I'm especially fond of this site given my love of (bike) polo.  There's nothing better than a good polo steed... 

Fort Snelling holds a lot of Minnesota's history, both good and bad.  Especially bad when it comes to the treatment of Native Americans.  It should remind us that a true patriot is a student of our history and works to improve the nation by both atoning for the past and working toward a better future.  

Happy 4th of July!  Hope you all have a great holiday weekend.