Mary's Creek Wilds

It was time for another Sunday afternoon stroll.  This time I wanted to get in deep, and I wanted to leave from my backyard - total envelopment...no roads to get there.  In deep like mud and mire, briers and bugs...except now with the on-coming of fall, it wouldn't be all that bad.  The leaves are changing, the bugs are gone, only some briers remained, and the sun was a shinin'.  I trespassed a good bit, but the mission was  accomplished:  I made it to the particular area of Mary's Creek that is hardest to get to on foot - the furthest point from any road.  There were soybean fields, deep dark forests, and muck up to past the ankles, but it was a thrilling jaunt....one that tends to pare the fat off your soul.  I may have to go back.

The way in.

The deep dark forest.

Not sure why this farmer didn't harvest his soybeans; so I helped him a little, grabbing a handful and snacking as I went.

There was lots of weaving, crawling over, and scooting under to be had.  

From 100 yards be noticed me.  What an amazing sense of alertness.

The destination was still feeling the effects of Summer drought.

I decided to hoof it over blacktop for the way back home.

Minne-apolis

Minne is the Dakota word for water.  That's an apt name for everything in Minne-sota, the land of 10,000 lakes.  I think I passed 7 on my bike ride today.  I've always said I like MN, but I've also never spent much time there in the winter....so who's to say.  Autumn certainly is beautiful!  The city is so clean and green-focused.  And named as the most bike-friendly city in the US, Minneapolis really has some nice green spaces.  I could get used to that.