Minnemishinona Falls

Minnemishinona Falls seems it might be an out of the way not so well known area although it does have a small picnic area and parking.  It is a free site (no state park sticker required).  It is on Judson Bottom Road which partially is on County Highway 41 and partially is it's own rustic road.  Again there are brown destination signs to guide you to parking and once you find that there is another sign to tell you which way the falls is - which is just a skip from the parking area.

Frozen falls are pretty cool.  This is a 42 foot waterfall. These had a fracture along the top of the frozen falling part and I'd love to be there when it finally let's go.  It is in the country but across the street is a residence but just look for this bridge which is on the left side if you are coming from Mankato.  From County Highway 41 you take the exit for Rockford Road and roundabout your way to get onto Rockford Road, which is also County Highway 41.  At one point you'll see a sign for Judson Bottom Road going off to the left just keep going straight because the falls is just up the hill after the curve and on the left.

Not far from here is Minneopa State Park and Minneopa Falls.

Pretty cool difference between winter and summer!  Doesn't even look like the same falls.

August Schell Brewing Company

August Schell was born in Germany in 1828. At age 20 he moved to the US and co-founded New Ulm, Minnesota.  In 1860 he began building the brewery on the banks of the Cottonwood River.

This was a 2015-16 Checkpoint Minnesota (Department of Tourism location scavenger hunt) site.  When I was there they were not open yet and it was like a mini-tourism park with a coupon station, museum and gift shop along with the stately mansion and the brewery. They give tours but I had my dog with me so we left before they opened.

Ah, but to find it.  I used Mapquest and was directed to turn from US Highway 14 W onto 20th St S. This doesn't actually happen. I can only assume that it did at one time but don't fall for it.  You actually want to turn from US 14W onto 448th Street which is where the big stone Willkommen to New Ulm sign sits.  448th Street will turn into 20th St S once you get into town.  From there it's easy to find and they have those brown destination signs to help you along.  Should you miss this turn and keep going into town on US 14W you'll end up on the north side of town and try as you may you won't get from 20th North Street to 20th Street South. Siri must have been cold because she would tell me when to turn only after I had already passed the desired street.  That created extra anxiety and exhaustion teamed with instant realization that a dog probably isn't allowed on premises so I got in and got out quickly without too much exploring.  But, it was winter and cold and they weren't open so there wasn't much to explore anyhow.  Worth a trip back to take a tour I think. Apparently they make 1919 Root Beer - I'll be trying that thankyouverymuch.

Just down the road near Mankato you can check out Minneopa State Park and Minnemishinona Falls. Both of which are dog friendly and super cool.

Zumbrota Covered Bridge

Zumbrota Covered Bridge in Zumbrota is the last remaining authentic covered bridge in Minnesota and is on the US National Register of Historic Places. 

According to Wikipedia: "The bridge was completed in November 1869 as a replacement for Zumbrota's original bridge which was destroyed by the spring flood of that year. The covered portion of the bridge was added in 1871. The bridge served until 1932 when it was moved to the fairgrounds. In 1997 the bridge was moved to its current location in Covered Bridge Park, about 100 yards from its original location."

The bridge is on the edge of Covered Bridge Park and is located at the end of West Avenue in downtown Zumbrota near 2nd Street. It spans the north fork of the Zumbro River and is 116 feet long. There is a small circular area that you can park in at the bridge and it is near the library and other parking is very close by.  There is a paved trail and although it was below zero and windy the day we visited which didn't allow for much exploring, apparently there is a campground and picnic shelters among other things in the nearly 80 acre park.

45th Parallel

1st stop: The 45th parallel which is the line of latitude bisecting the Northern Hemisphere; exactly half way between the Equator and North Pole:  45 degrees north of the Equator and 45 degrees south of the North Pole.  There is a boulder with plaque near Community Park in Falcon Heights (north of the Twin Cities). Park at Community Park, located at the corner of Cleveland Ave N and Roselawn Ave W, and walk up Cleveland Ave towards the residences (away from the park) on the side of street with the sidewalk. Very shortly you will pass Loren Avenue and there sits a boulder which marks the spot.  I nearly walked right past it. The 45th parallel is said to run through Roseville so Roselawn Ave must mark the city border with Falcon Heights.  Pretty cool.