Hey There!
This year I wanted to get off the beaten path and learn to relax. Well, just wait until you hear what I found!
At the border bridge between
Taylors
Falls and
St. Croix
Falls, is a sign that reads: Glacial Gardens. Yep —
Glacial
Gardens and I’m thinking, “what’s that?” I just had to pull in.
That’s how I found myself falling in love with two picturesque little river towns — with a captivating walk through
Interstate
Park. It was stunning! It turns out that I was walking amongst the
Glacial
Gardens — grand rock formations left behind when the glaciers receded. Many of the trails were flat and easy going, but some were quite challenging, ending high above the river on the spectacular gorge known as the “dalles” of the
St. Croix River.
Down below, kayaks and canoes shared the river with a riverboat that looked like something Mark Twain would captain. I spent the entire morning on the trails, even discovering that the Ice Age Trail has its western trailhead on the
Wisconsin side of
Interstate
Park. This was just the beginning of a discovery-filled day.
After my hike, I stopped for a bite to eat – great food, friendly people. Then, I explored the towns and was able to walk everywhere. Both towns have a rich settlement history going back to the French Fur Trade. It’s pretty neat that you can feel the spirit and energy of that time alive in these historic places. There are quaint shops, galleries, great little restaurants (fine dining, too), a variety of lodging choices and cozy coffee shops—there’s even a cobbler shop and natural food co-op! Plus, I found canoe rentals, a winery, a historic vaudeville-era playhouse, the Gandy Dancer bicycle trail AND I learned that
St. Croix
Falls is home to the headquarters of the National Park Service’s Scenic Riverway interpretive center.
St. Croix
Falls & Taylors
Falls have quickly become my new favorite place to unwind. Nature is everywhere with soaring eagles overhead and majestic pines lining the river gorge. All around I found evidence that residents want to protect, preserve, and share their magnificent little corner of the world. It’s a wonderful place with a quiet energy that I can still feel all these days later.
I’m going back soon and bringing my bags — there’s just so much to experience. I hope you can come too…
