Russman's spot

9/25/11

Frontenac State Park

A brief visit to Methodist Beach before heading to Frontenac

We were only there about 10 minutes, but Mary Emma found some fossilized coral, a small agate, and a piece of petrified wood.

The start of the hike across from Frontenac State Park. I'm not positive, but I believe it is about 2.5 miles around the loop.

hot and tired!!!!

first mosquito of the year!

9/24/11

Wasioja has a pretty amazing history going back to the 1850's. In 1862 it had a flour mill, a seminary, dozens of stores, and a hotel....then the civil war began. 80 men from this community left, and only 25 came back...the town never recovered from it's loss.

This is the only civil war recruiting station left in the state of Minnesota and the only known one still standing west of the Mississippi. Over 200 men joined the war and marched away from this station.

The Seminary was built in 1860 for the Free Will Baptists and had over 300 students enrolled in the first year. 25 students from here marched off to war.

The Seminary closed in 1894, and burned in 1905. This is the remains.

These evergreens were planted for those who never came home.

The school was built in 1860.

9/23/11

Agate and Fossil Hunting on Lake Pepin

As we drive into the park, we always pause to see what may be hanging around the swampy area. This day we saw the blue heron, who apparently did not care to be photographed.