We will be getting together a new set of places and events together for the Winter season. Check back soon for some great restaurant recommendations and must-attend events!
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We recently got back from a trip to South Dakota, and while it doesn’t necessarily pertain to Minnesota travel, there are a lot of great destinations for those who want to take a quick vacation out of Minnesota.
We will run down some of the best places to visit in South Dakota for those who like the outdoors and who like to eat. Look for our future post on All Access Travel Minnesota: South Dakota Style.
If you were ever in doubt that Minnesota is all about the Great Outdoors, look no further than the green spaces of the western suburbs of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area – the Three Rivers Park District. They have camping, hiking, summer camps for children 2-15, boating, biking and the list goes on and on.
I’ve been wanting to write this article for awhile but I wanted to check out some of the places before I actually wrote about them, and this area is more than I ever dreamed it was. There is so much to do and the places in this area are amazing. I had to call to order a map so I could go and check them all out, there are parks with camping, parks with water sports, parks with biking, parks with swimming beaches, parks with playgrounds and some with all of these!
During a day out we’ve seen animals I’ve never seen before, like woodcocks (see Carver Park Reserve article) and muskrats – it’s wonderful that an urban area can have so much to offer. And you would never know you are within 30 minutes of the Twin Cities – oh the gift of green space!
They also offer different ‘learning’ experiences. You can take a class on kayaking (doing that tomorrow), taking care of farm animals, photography camp, and many more.
And the fun doesn’t stop in the summer – they have winter fun also: skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowboarding and winter camping. So come out and enjoy what the BIG city has to offer…a great place to enjoy the outdoors!
Check out the website for more information.
As a continuation of our Trout Fishing article, we present to you a delicious recipe for making the trout you catch for dinner. (We also give you some tips on how to clean it properly!) Enjoy!
Items needed:
Freshly caught Trout (See how to clean trout below)
Aluminum foil
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Lemon (optional)
Take cleaned trout, spread on butter, salt and pepper inside and outside trout. If using lemon put slices inside trout. Wrap in aluminum foil place about 1 inch from hot coals. Cook about 15 minutes (depending on size) turning once about half way through time. Let sit for 5 minutes inside foil…open and enjoy!
Cleaning a trout:
To properly gut the trout without tearing into the stomach or intestines, you will need a sharp, short bladed knife. The first cut you want to make is just under the gill from the belly side. Next, place your fingers inside the trout’s mouth with the palm of your hand pressed firmly on the top of its head and your thumb in the gill to hold it solid. Then, carefully, begin to slit the trout’s belly starting at the anus and working your way up to the cut under the gills. Do not cut into the guts try to keep your knife just under the skin. Pull the guts downward away from the head. Lastly scrape your thumb along the spine in the gut cavity to clean out the bloodline. You can either leave the head on or take it off…it’s up to you.
Just a friendly reminder: It’s deer tick season in Minnesota.
Tick season came a little early to Minnesota this year due to the warmer weather we had this Spring. Most years tick season starts in mid-May and last until mid-July. This doesn’t mean you have to stay in, it just means you have to prepare yourself. The main thing is to prevent the ticks from getting on you in the first place and this can be done by following a few simple tips:
1.Avoid tall grass and brush. While hiking try and stay to the center of the path.
2.Wear long pants and tuck pant leg into socks. Not a great fashion statement but, also tuck shirt into pants.
3.Use DEET.
4.Wear light color clothing so that ticks can be seen on clothing and removed.
5.After being outdoors in a tick habitat, make sure to: check clothing, wash clothes as soon as possible, and take a shower to make sure you are tick free.
If you do happen to find a tick that has attached itself:
Don’t panic! Not all ticks are infected and prompt tick removal can prevent illness. Use tweezers to grasp the tick close to its mouth. Gently and slowly pull the tick straight outward. To avoid contact with the bacteria, if present, do not squeeze the tick’s body. Wash the area and apply an antiseptic to the bite. Watch for early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. A tick has to be attached for one to two days to transmit Lyme’s disease.
A little preparation and Deet go a long way – so get out and ENJOY!
Tags: hiking, minnesota, prevention, ticks
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Camp Pork Roast
(To be made at the car camping* site)
*Car Camping: unlike backpacking, is a means of getting to the campground without having to carry all your gear on your back.
Items you will need:
Cast iron Dutch oven with lid
Fire pit (enough wood for an hour long fire)
Matches
Lid lifter for Dutch oven lid
Long handled spoon
Can opener/bottle opener
Tripod for use with Dutch oven is optional if you have a grate over your fire pit
Oven mitt
Ingredients:
1 ~ 3 lb Pork roast (tenderloin)
6 slices of pepper bacon
1 large onion (chopped)
3 cans of black eyed peas
1 can or bottle of beer
Salt & pepper to taste
* I also add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper
Heat large cast iron Dutch oven over a hot fire. Cook bacon until brown. Toss in onions after bacon is brown and cook until semi soft. Brown roast on all sides with onions and bacon. Pour in beer and simmer for about 20 minutes. Pour in all cans of peas and salt and pepper and cook until thick and warm.
Serve with brown bread.
Serves 6.