Nerstrand Big Woods

     How about a nice walk in the woods on a sunny day?  Here's your place.  Nerstrand State Park is an island of hardwood forest just outside the Twin Cities. Some gentle hills, a waterfall, and 8 miles of trails that meander through the trees are a perfect way to get away and be in nature.  Cyndi and I try to go there every year.  We like the fall, when the leaves are turning and give the air a golden glow.  We drove to Nerstrand State Park last weekend for another hike, and were not disappointed.   The dogs are eager to come along, Zoey and Monte love the woods even if they must stay on leash.

     The waterfalls is about a 1/2 mile hike, downhill and along the creek.  Nerstrand is one of the few remaining areas where the Dwarf Trout Lily grows, and its habitat is protected.  They come up in the spring, and are a favorite here in season.  Most of the people who arrive here go to the falls, and not much further.  Take one of the several loops that leave from the falls area, and you will be quite alone with only the occasional fellow hiker to share the peaceful woods.  There are also trails in the southern half, so you can walk all you want and never have to re-trace your steps.

    The State Park came about because the early settlers were smart.  Each area farmstead had a small woodlot in these woods, so they had a direct interest in maintaining a stable forest that would keep on producing.  That preserved the forest.  When modern conveniences meant that wood wasn't needed, the forest kept growing.  The multiple ownership patchwork kept a developer from buying the land until the State was able to assemble the park.  So now it is ours to enjoy!

     Words can't describe the park too well, you have to experience it.  Here are a couple photos, just to provide atmosphere:

That's a mushroom.

     After our walk we stopped in nearby Northfield for a lunch by the river.  Northfield is a small college town, only about 10 miles or so from the Park.  It boasts, in addition to St. Olaf and Carlton Colleges, the big Malt O' Meal plant (yes, my favorite breakfast hot cereal).  Northfield was also the site of the last bank robbery of the Jesse James gang.  The residents shot them out of town, chased them down, and only Jesse escaped.  The Younger brothers, gang members, did time up in Stillwater State Prison and one of them actually started the prison newspaper there! Every year a re-enactment of the robbery is staged in town; people flock into see it.  The bank building, complete with bullet holes from the shootout, still stands.  Here are a couple photos of present-day Northfield:

River walk along the Cannon River

Main Street

Historical Society in old bank building

     And, last but not least, Fireside Apple orchard is on the way home, so a couple bags of apples can be picked for enjoyment then and later.  All in all, a really nice way to spend a day!  Nerstrand State Park is one of the little-known gems of the Minnesota State Park system.