Camping at Great River Bluffs State Park Along the Mighty Mississippi

Scott had a job in Rochester so we decided to make a weekend of it and go camping.

Was nice to finally get out of town with Brooke and the kids for the first time since the 4th of July.

  

Before we left on our little trip, Scott and I scored a deal for a porch swing on Facebook Marketplace.

Our porch is my favorite room and now it looks even better with the swing.

I'd like it better if it didn't have storm windows and was open air like it's meant to be.

After Scott's quick shoot in Rochester we were ready for lunch.

Every time I go to Rochester, I eat at Al Madina. Apparently if a Middle Eastern restaurant has that name it's good. 

You also know a restaurant is good if you're the only white people there. 

It was fun to share this place with the family.

These kids can be super picky but are also little foodies. 

You just have to know their favorites. They absolutely love gyros and falafel.

We stopped at the local library quick so Scott could use the wifi. This was a really nice library.

But the wifi was not much of a help. 

We took a little walk  around downtown Rochester before heading to Great River Bluffs State Park.

We got the last open spot in the walk in campsites at Great River Bluffs State Park. Somehow our site was the only one with very little trees.

I booked it a few days before our trip. Unless you're going up north, it's pretty easy to find campsites in Minnesota State Parks.

We had originally thought of going to our favorite state park, Beaver Creek Valley. Then decided to try this place as we had never been before and it was closer to Scott's job. 

Theo bought himself a new hammock with a bug net with his birthday money. This was our first time getting to try it out.

After we got set up we had to check out the end of the trail.

Not a bad view, even through the hazy smoke.

The air quality doesn't look good, but it was much, much better than back in the cities.

It was more mosquito-y here than at Banning.

Theo went back and forth a couple of times. I just wanted to go for a hike.

Tonight we'd cook some s'mores over the fire.

We were going to buy firewood when we found some already left at our campsite. 

After checking out the hazy sunrise we had breakfast.

Today we'd hike to King's Bluff Overlook.

As it was also part of the hiking club trail. 

Is that a mountain? Well, almost.

It doesn't feel like we are in Minnesota. 

Hi farmer in the distance.

This is also part of the Kings and Queen's Bluff Scientific and Natural Area. 

We decided to spend the rest of the day down in nearby La Crosse, Wisconsin.

We joked about going to North Country Steak Buffet before we finally went.

We were looking on Google Maps for a place to eat when I saw this place. 

We made the right choice. This place was awesome. You can choose a meat and a side. Then go to the buffet for whatever else you want. 

Our kids love steak and Meadow loves a baked potato.

This place rules.

We took the scenic route back through La Crosse and happened upon this rad Brewers bar.

You know Scott had to pull over to get some photos.

Then we went to Myrick Park to play on the wooden playground.

These kids still love a good playground.

Back in downtown, Pearl Street Books looked rad, so we stopped by.

It was a good one. 

I loved their sign.

Also this one. 

Their downtown is pretty cute.

La Crosse has to have one of the best downtowns in a smaller city in Wisconsin or Minnesota.

We explored the riverfront and debated on going on a pizza cruise on the river, but we were pretty full from the buffet.

Also we weren't sure on having another pricey meal for the day. 

We did lots of walking.

Of course, we had to stop at the biggest six pack of beer in the world.

We were going to swim across the river but the historic bathhouse was closed so there was no place to change. 

The kids played on the beach instead.

Not sure why the bathhouse wasn't open. 

We ended up just having popcorn for dinner.

Then decided to use up the rest of the wood while debating on if we made the right choice of not doing the pizza cruise.

And eat more s'mores.

This campground only had wheelbarrows to carry your stuff. Had I known I would have packed most of our stuff into our hiking backpacks. We had to do a couple trips to get all of our stuff back.

On the way home we had to go on one more hike, though I think only Brooke wanted to go. She has to deal with us curmudgeons way too much.

We stopped in Winona to do the Sugar Loaf Bluff. There were lots of complaints about the uphill climb.

I guess the short hike up was worth the detour.

We made a quick stop at Lark Toys to get a birthday present for Theo's friend.

You can't go to Lark Toys without riding the wooden carousel.

 

Before getting home we got a big lunch at the Mac Shack in Red Wing. Always worth a stop.

Next time I have to remember to share mine, it's so good but so rich you can't finish it.