Hiking, Minnesota, Photography

Going for a Walk

by Ingrid
hiking trail with fall leaves on the ground

It was the third week in September when I was finally able to explore a couple of Duluth parks on my must-see list. Since Duluth, Minnesota is almost a two-hour drive north of my summer home base in Wisconsin, I was really hoping that the fall colors would be popping more than they were. Oh well, the parks were lovely all the same.

Even though I was slightly disappointed with the fall colors, I was very impressed with the trails. Folks around here love their outdoor recreation. Unfortunately, I was in Duluth just for the day and my time was somewhat limited, but at least I was able to take in an overview and walk the trails a little bit.

Lester Park, Duluth, MN

Located on the east side of Duluth, Lester park offers over nine miles of hiking and biking trails and sits along a creek. This is a popular park with locals since it offers picnic tables, a children’s playground, access to a great trail system, and a refreshing river complete with waterfalls. I spent almost two hours meandering trails, crossing bridges, and giving my camera a workout.

(To enlarge a photo in a gallery, simply click on any image.)

The Lakewalk Trail – Congdon Park, Duluth, MN

Also on the east side of Duluth and along the Tischer Creek is Congdon Park. The park was once part of the Glensheen Estate. Owner, Chester Congdon donated the land to the city of Duluth and paid for its development on the condition that the city would stop using the creek as an open sewer.  We thank you, Mr. Congdon!🦨

The park offers beautiful hiking trails, unique bridges, and lovely waterfalls begging to be explored. However, after having spent a couple of hours at Lester Park, I found myself short on time and was only able to walk about 15 minutes out and back on The Lakewalk Trail and never did make it into the heart of Congdon Park.

Although there’s a nice size parking lot near London Road and 26th Ave, I ended up parking the truck on a side street on 32nd Ave so I could view the Tischer Creek and bridges. The Lakewalk Trail is a beautifully paved trail perfect for cyclists, moms with strollers,  or anyone wanting to go on a walk and take in nature. I know I’ll be back next summer for further explorations.

Our truck parked on a neighborhood street with access to the trail.

Goodbye for now!

Unfortunately, with winter inching closer, my visits to Duluth have come to an end … temporarily anyway, and I’m already formulating a list of things to do and places to see next season. Hopefully, I’ll do a better job of planning for next summer by making some Duluth RV reservations well in advance. This year, my last-minute planning didn’t work in my favor. Guess my luck had to run out sometime. 😏

For Duluth lodging recommendations, you can check out this post.

Photography Challenge … Lens-Artists #117: A Photo Walk. For this week’s photo challenge, Amy asks us to share photos taken while on a walk. She encourages us to pause for a moment and observe our surroundings. Fun time!

69 thoughts on “Going for a Walk”

  1. I don’t check in often, but I thought this was a good opportunity. As always your photos and content are fantastic. I started my trek South from the Northwestern US too early this year and hit triple-digit weather. Currently, I’m stalled just South of San Francisco. It’s truly been a usual camping year with COVID hanging around and the threat of it especially. I hope next year will be one of fewer crowds at the campgrounds, but it’s not looking good so far. I wish you both safe travels, maybe we’ll cross paths in Arizona this year.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Nice to hear from you! Yeah, the virus sure put a damper on a lot of things and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon, unfortunately. I’m kind of glad we rent an annual lot (near Anthem) and can come and go without reservations or worry if we could even get a res.
      We’ll be back in the valley in a few days and go from running our furnace to running the A/C 😏

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  2. Hi, Ingrid. You’ve shown us 2 beautiful places to hike in an area I haven’t visited yet. Thanks! We’re always looking for new places to explore. Beautiful photos and great descriptions. I enjoyed your post!

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  3. Hi Ingrid, Your photos still display the beautiful Fall colours. It is nice when parks are family friendly. It helps build beautiful memories for children. Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos! I look forward to seeing the same areas when you visit next year.

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    1. Hopefully, I’ll be able to explore more areas next year (providing I plan better by making RV reservations sooner 😏). I’m loving the fall colors, but the leaves are dropping more and more each day which is my sign that it’s about time to move south.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I sure enjoyed these looks at MN parks, Ingrid, espec. with the colors of fall dotted throughout. All the photos were a joy to see, but I really liked the first one, on the path, and the one with creek and the bridge. Good luck in your upcoming travels west.

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    1. It has been a joy being back in the Midwest for autumn foliage. I’m savoring the colors while they last, but it’s getting mighty chilly, thus about time to migrate south. 😊

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    1. It was a beautiful fall day … perfect for a walk. I found those leaves interesting. They were growing like a vine up the tree and that red? Oh, so pretty.

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  10. Looks like a wonderful area to hike and enjoy the outdoors, Ingrid. I’m sure Fall is more colorful there, but it made a good showing IMHO. We’re patiently waiting for Fall to take hold, with our heat, probably later this month. I guess you’ll be hitting road soon back to AZ.

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  11. I used to visit Duluth at least once a month when I was working as we have a store up there that I was responsible for. Love the area and love the people, it is a great and beautiful area!

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    1. Every time I drive by (or shop) at Cub foods in Duluth, I think of you 😁 Agree – great area and people. I think what makes it special is folks actually like living here and the outdoor recreation is in abundance.

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    1. I was probably a few days early in regards to the leaves. Even so, the parks and trails in and around Duluth are wonderful. You’d enjoy the area!

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    1. It was an enjoyable day. If you ever get a chance to visit Lake Superior’s Northshore (or even Southshore), I would highly recommend it. The landscape is beautiful and lush!

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    1. I love the variety of all the vivid colors. The west is beautiful with mountains and yellow aspens, but it doesn’t compare to the autumn foliage seen in this half of the country. But once those leaves drop, I’m outta here and heading west. 😆

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    1. It is indeed glorious. Unfortunately, the colors won’t last long enough, and before we know it, those leaves will all be on the ground. But I’ll savor it while it lasts.

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    1. I’m sure there will be times that you miss the travel, but most times you won’t. I’ve longed to see Midwest fall foliage. I’ve missed it living in the west, but I’m almost ready to head ‘home’.

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      1. In case you have not heard but three Spoonbills had been spotted and causing a frenzy. And a herd of birders and photographers are stalking them. They are seen hanging out at the Glendale Recharge Pond (3) and Gilbert Riparian Preserve (1).

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  20. Ingrid,
    Isn’t it amazing how swiftly time flies? I’m certain you and Al have had a remarkably memorable summer in Wisconsin, and we’ve had a great time sharing the journey with you both. I love the pictures, especially the one of the red plant climbing the tree. It resembles a plant we call Virginia Creeper here, but not sure if that is the name. Is that a new picture of you and Al in the sidebar? You both look relaxed. Have a great week. Joe

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    1. Time does indeed fly the older we get! Very observant of you … yes, that is a new image of Al and me in the sidebar. That was a snapshot my SIL took of us out to breakfast for my birthday. It’s been a great and memorable summer despite some of the unusual challenges. We hit the road next week!

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  23. Beautiful northwoods. Love the waterfall reflections. Glad you got to enjoy Duluth for a day. My sister lived in Cloquet for years and Duluth is a favorite of hers. We drove to Buena Vista and up Cottonwood Pass last week. Haven’t been up there for years. Had lunch on a restaurant patio in BV in the perfect Fall weather. Color was still great around 8500′ the whole way, but totally done at the Wilkerson Pass aspen forest. It was a great day to get out of the house for a change of view. Safe travels to AZ.

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    1. After living in Colorado, I learned to understand elevation and the diversity that comes along with it. When we lived in the Springs, I would drive up to Woodland Park for the changing weather or try and visit RMNP for fall color.

      I can understand why your sister enjoyed Duluth. The parks and trails are wonderful, and of course, the Northshore is stunning. We’re already planning on returning next summer. The four of us are putting a list together of things to do and sights to see. And hopefully, I’ll do better next summer with making some RV reservations well in advance. I missed our monthly RV excursions and had to settle for day trips.

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  24. Thank you, Ingrid for for this enjoyable photo walking. Such a beautiful place to take a 2-hour walking with your camera. I love how you capture the water flow and the bridge ove the creek especially.

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    1. Thank you Amy. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It was indeed a lovely day. Your photo challenge fit perfectly because my post was almost done when your challenge got posted. Great timing!

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    1. The paved bike trails in Duluth and along the Northshore are awesome. My kind of bike trail and this is one time that I really miss my bicycle. I may have to borrow my sister-in-law’s bike sometime. I think you would enjoy northern WI and MN … founded by German’s and Norwegian’s.

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    1. It’s beautiful country, but soon it’ll be too cold for my blood. Even though it’s equally beautiful during the winter, I’ll stick to admiring the winter landscape via photographs 😆 We hit the road next week!

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    1. I think we’re going to have to do the same thing. As soon as we get back to Phx, I’ll be pulling out the 2021 calendar and start making some commitments. Kinda takes that sense of whimsy out of the equation. Oh well, such is life!

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    1. Up until last summer, we had not returned to the Northshore in almost thirty years, and I didn’t realize how much I had truly missed it. We’re already talking about returning next summer. Due to circumstances, this summer I never made it east of Duluth like I did last year which was disappointing. Thanks for stopping by.

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          1. I traveled that route in the middle of the night with timber wolfs on both sides of the high-way To Hurley,WI, driving a Pinto that was loosing it’s radiator❗️ No problem the car never overheated whilst -25° I got it repaired & finished my week long ‘Ski’ trip in the U.P. ⛷
            P.S. I like those Photo captures 😉

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