Taking a Hike

When we entered quarantine, my usual routine was to go to the gym 4 times a week and run on an elliptical machine.  I really can't run on roads or concrete any more but I stayed in shape by running and lifting.  When everything shut down, I was faced with the same problem a lot of parents were.  What do I do for physical activity now that the gym is closed, AND what do I do to make sure my kids don't just sit on the couch starting at glowing rectangles for the next few months.

When Governor Walz clarified his stay at home order, I was happy to see going for hikes around the metro was still allowed, as long as you obeyed social distancing guidelines.  In the first month or so, that was never a problem as even on trails in very populated areas, there were limited people.

I have hiked so freaking much, something many people know from my near daily hike photos I post on the social media sites.  

Here are the best photos I've taken since I started these 3 to 5 times a week sojourns.  I'll label the park where I was at on each. These are in order from when we started until mid-June.

First up is the Heritage Trail in Downtown Minneapolis.  This was on a Thursday and I've never seen St. Anthony Main so empty.

Bde maka Ska

Lake Harriet 

Uptown

The Bloomington Ferry Trail

Minnehaha Falls

Old Fort Snelling by the airport.

Carver Park Preserve

The Mendota Bridge

French Regional Park

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.  The last photo was the one taken of me by the Star Tribune photographer.

Mounds Park

Midtown Greenway

North Mississippi Regional Park

Eagle Lake Regional Park

Anderson Lakes Regional Park

Afton State Park

Theodore Wirth Regional Park

Purgatory Creek Regional Park in Eden Prairie

Excelsior Commons

Minnesota Arboretum

Bryant Lake Regional Park

Rice Marsh Lake Park

Big Willow Park

9 Mile Creek at Central Park in Bloomington, south of 106th.

Pike Island

The George Floyd Memorial at 38th and Chicago, south Minneapolis.

Lakewood Cemetery

The Pilot Knob Preservation Site

This is just a few of the parks I've visited, and the vast majority of parks I've been to are within 5 miles of my house.  You would be shocked at how many parks Minnesota has.  Many of them are stunning, AND FREE!

Get out and take a hike!