Ms. Mar and I recently returned from her hometown in Minnesota, a place recently voted the “Coolest Small Town in America.” That’s pretty cool (I’m such a cute punster)?
It’s been lots of years since she took me back, but it hasn’t changed much.
One morning I summoned her for a head scratch when she invited me for a hike. Ms. Mar and sisters decided to hike up to the highest point in Minnesota called EAGLE MOUNTAIN. At 2301 feet, really? It can not be called a “mountain.” They should have named it Eagle Hill but I guess that doesn’t sound majestic being the highest point in the state.
“I let Ms. Mar know that she was no spring chicken (yum) and maybe shouldn’t do that hike, but she would hear none of that. “I did it in high school, and it wasn’t that difficult.” I told her that high school was a looooooooooong time ago. She laughed and off she went disregarding my advice. I shook my head, said a prayer before dozing off for my mid-morning nap. I wasn’t about to tackle that hike.
A few hours later (make that 7), I could hear her moaning and groaning as she walked down the hall. I guess it wasn’t as easy as she thought. She had to tell me all about it. She classified the hike into sections:
1. Flat . . . Easy peasy (for the first 5 minutes)
2. Flat with rocks … Rocks, Smocks. I was born to hike (for the next 1.5 hours)
- Whale Lake …getting a little pooped (another 5 minutes). I asked if she had seen any whales. No.
Whale Lake 
- Enchanted Forest … who the hell cares at this point (very pretty but lots and lots of tree roots to navigate);
and finally
- Boulder Climbing … Nothing like sucking my water bottle dry (the last mile).
They made it to the top and rested a bit before heading back down. About that time she would have liked a zip-line, but no such luck.
I told her so. 🙂
Aloha,
Tux
Seeing your play-by-play pics, I give all 3 of you “girls” a lot of credit for that hike. You wouldn’t see me or my 2 sisters (your cousins) do that at this point in our lives. Maybe Suey, but she was the only hiker in the family when she was younger.
Thanks, Judy. I’m quite sure that was my last hike up Eagle Mountain. I’m glad we did it though.
Welcome back !… and very nice shots. Thanks for the visit !
Great photos! I hiked Eagle Mountain a loooong time ago (25 years maybe?) and really enjoyed the visual reminder of how beautiful it is. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment. Are you from Minnesota or were you visiting?
Have lived in Minnesota since the late ’80s and that’s about when we hiked Eagle Mountain.
I love this and Congrats on the hiking accomplishment. Enjoying the story from the cat’s perspective
Funny Kitty and gorgeous places.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
I need to take a nap after reading this…and my leg muscles hurt!
Good for Ms. Mar! I would have turned around midway and chosen to keep you (lazy kitty) company! 🙂
So pretty and worth it, right?
After all is said and done, it was very worth it.
that’s a beautiful place and you took great pictures!
Beautiful photos…so lush and green! I’ve never been to Minnesota, it’s on my list though! ~Sherry
Thanks. Northern Minnesota is beautiful with the lakes and the forests. If you like camping and canoeing, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is a fantastic place to go.
I love camping!
Superb photos..loks like a beatuiful place for a hike…wonderful ☺
that is beautiful 🙂
Loved the whole post😂
What a great joy it was to see hiking thru Your lovely photos. We hike only day hikes.
I loved the hike and your pictures. 🙂 I’m laughing about the hill comment. When relatives from back east come to visit, they think our hills are mountains. And when they look at Mt. Diablo they think it’s the tallest mountain on the planet!
Awesome photos of the trees
That hike must have been interesting and invigorating. It has been a while since I went hiking in the woods or mountains. Can I join you next time :)?
good for you! lovely pics!
If only there were always the option of a zip-line after a strenuous hike up. Like the humor you pit into your story telling.👍
Well done! Wonderful impressions of your adventure.
Your photos of that trail hike remind me a lot of the trails I walked while living in Portland, OR. I sure do miss that part of out country! Of course New England has its beautiful seasons as well. Right now my photography is on hold because of upcoming cataract surgery on both eyes. It’s not much fun being partially blind until then. – Bob
I think northern Minnesota and Oregon are very similar – just different pine trees. Good luck with your cataract surgery. When is it scheduled?
I had a pre op EKG that must be ok’d by my doctor before scheduling my surgery. Waiting!
Gorgeous photos. Magical place.
Thank you. It is a pretty wonderful place.