Frontenac Hike, Minneapolis Bike Ride and an Easter Feast

Meadow and I both had off on a Friday so we decided to make a day of it and go hiking.

 

 

We found a place to eat along the river in Red Wing.

 

 

 

We always get super hungry after hiking. This time we decided to eat beforehand. We wanted to get Red Wing Brewery's really good pizza, but it was closed until the late afternoon. Instead we got some mac from Let Me Cheese U.

 

We learned our lesson by ordering too much last time. The food is so rich. We each got smalls and the kids shared and it was still too much.  

We stopped at the Red Wing Shoe Store to check out their factory seconds for new hiking boots. We tried a few but none that we loved. When leaving we noticed they had kids hiking boots too.

After a trip to the Red Wing Shoe Store we headed to Frontenac State Park.

 

Unfortunately we didn't find the hiking boots we were hoping to to replace our well-worn pairs. Well, Brooke had a really good assortment to choose from, but she passed.

I thought it would be good to go to this park in the spring when the trees are bare and you can see the river better.

 

It's still full of great views and larger staircases.

I'm sure this is full of wildflowers in the summer.

 

I think we're ready for some foliage.

Always collecting gicks (sticks).

 

Oak trees are pretty rad no matter the time of the year.

Taking a quick break.

 

We made it to the password along the "Hiking Club" trail.

 

It was a relatively quick hike. Would do it again.

 

We are starting to get faster, it was only 2.6 miles and Theo again walked most of it himself. 

The next day we took a bike ride to the archery park for Meadow to use her bow and arrow she received at Christmas.

First we had to stop at the library to pick up a Harry Potter movie.

 

Meadow and I have Star Wars and Zelda. Meadow and Brooke have Harry Potter.

Then we biked forever and ever so Meadow could practice archery.

The kids kept asking to go to the beach so we complied.

I didn't mind the break. Brooke likes to just get to the destination.

Oof. Scott pulled both kids, Meadow's bike and Meadow's archery gear on the hills of Theo Wirth Parkway.

 

I could say it wasn't that bad, but this was probably the moment I'd want a e-bike. 

 

A few bikers passing by gave him a thumbs up. 

Wah Womp. Someone else was using the archery area. We decided to pass the time by getting BBQ at the Wirth Chalet.

They didn't have root beer, so I got Meadow Mr. Pibb. She was very excited. The kids of course got hot dogs. So predictable.

Meadow's bike can also be used on mountain bike trails, but not ours.

 

Because it's a mountain bike...

 

She went off-roading next to us for a bit.

 

Everyone else thought it was a good day for a bike ride too.

 

The next day was Easter. The kids had already found their baskets before waking us up. The Easter Bunny spoiled the kids this year. Meadow got a comic book-style sketch book, waterproof mittens, an Animal Crossing shirt, peanut butter chocolates, raspberry licorice and energy orbs.

Theo got his own crayons, paper, waterproof mittens, raspberry licorice, peanut butter chocolates and energy orbs.

 

Theo got to right to coloring with his big old crayons.

 

Everyone in Brooke's family thought I was weird, but I got my first covid vaccine before working on an Easter feast. 

We colored eggs this year using a natural dye kit.

 

We don't really do this, but the kids seemed to have fun.

 

Today was Bunny Day on my Animal Crossing game.  

 

I'd been working in the kitchen all day long. For some reason I wanted to go traditional this year. I even made a pineapple studded ham.

 

Nice job Scottie.

 

I also made perok cake. I heard about it on Reddit and had to try the mashup of cake and pie.

I made the mac and cheese specifically for Theo. Of course he wanted everything else instead.

Meadow pretty much ate everything. An Easter miracle.

 

Then we took a walk down to the Peace Garden where this little bunny climbed trees.