After I dropped off my mother at the Minneapolis airport, I decided to find the closest place to go for a long walk. I did not know that this park was closed for most of the summer. Flooding was the issue. It is located at the place where the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River converge. The Dakota call it Bdote. There is a lot of history here. If you visit, please learn all you can at the visitor centers and read the informational signs. It is all very important.
Read more about the Park and current trail conditions here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00154#homepage
Read more about the history of this place here: http://bdotememorymap.org/
Or here: https://www.mnhs.org/fortsnelling/learn
Most of the trails are on Wita Tanka, also called Pike Island. If you do not already know the appalling history, Wikipedia’s summary is a good place to start. I tried to have an attitude of respect as I walked here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_Island
Now, let’s get to the trails.













I just read that Fort Snelling State Park is set to re-open tomorrow, Tuesday, September 17, 2019. When I was there on Sunday the buildings were closed but some trail segments were available. I am glad it is opening so people that go there to enjoy the nature can also learn more about it. This is a great week for it, our weather has been warmer than usual. I saw a few trees starting to turn orange when I was in Central Minnesota last weekend. Fall in Minnesota is glorious. Come and see.
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