Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Memorial Park, Red Wing, Minnesota

Now that my husband and I feel we have gotten a handle on summer home improvement chores, we've started to get out and enjoy ourselves a little bit each weekend.  We don't usually go far and usually combine our trips with a Sunday church service...spending a little time with God in the morning and enjoying His creation in the afternoon!  We've been having a lot of fun discovering new things to do within an hour of our house.

Several weeks ago I wrote about The Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival.  On the way home we drove through Red Wing, Minnesota and decided to stop at Memorial Park.   Memorial Park is located right across the street from Barn Bluff.  You might remember reading about that disastrous first time hike HERE.   Hiking Barn Bluff might be more of a challenge for some individuals,  whereas Memorial Park requires no or little hiking at all to enjoy these gorgeous views!  You simply drive up, and up, and up, park your car, and wa-la!  This is your view!


Now I love to hike, but sometimes it's not possible if you're not wearing the right footwear, or you have individuals in your party that are not able to hike...especially up steep hills!  So it is so nice that the city provides this beautiful park overlook to enjoy the view without the strenuous hike.


Memorial Park offer views of the city of Red Wing, the Mississippi River,  and the bluffs of both Minnesota and Wisconsin.


There are hiking trails in this park, but they aren't necessary to enjoy this view!  They also have mountain bike and cross-country trails.


There is an expansive green lawn on top of the park.  We've received so much rain this season, that all the lawns are just so lush and green and everything is growing beautifully.  I love how you can see the gorgeous views of the bluffs in the background of this lush green lawn and landscape.


Also up here is this fun old water tower.  We had fun using it as a backdrop for some fashion photos for THIS POST.


As much as we enjoyed spending time on top of this bluff,  our favorite part of Memorial Park was not the views from the top (Upper Quarry)  but the Lower Quarry Area.  The park use to be a limestone quarry.   When quarrying ended in 1910 Red Wing civics leaders started working on developing a park dedicated to soldiers.

The Lower Quarry was so pretty and magical.  It was also very peaceful in comparison to the Upper Quarry where there were a lot of tourists.  I think it's a hidden gem of the park.  Most people don't bother to drive down there because they think the best view is at the top so why bother?  But they don't know what they are missing!

Lower Quarry Parking Lot


The drive into the lower quarry, the parking lot, and the path to the lookout are surrounded by gorgeous limestone rock formations cut out from the old quarry days.  There are also limestone picnic tables and fire pits to rent in this area.


This is the path leading to the Lower Quarry lookout.  It's a very short walk from the parking lot to the lookout.


You're obviously not as high up at the Lower Quarry lookout, but you get a closer look!


We especially loved getting a closer look at the turkey vultures!


 And my favorite of the day...this pretty butterfly!



If your ever in Red Wing, swing by and take a drive through Memorial Park.  It doesn't take long, and the views are certainly worth the stop!

Have a Great Day!   Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

21 comments:

  1. Wow so many stunning pictures and I love your kimono!

    <3 Shannon 
    Upbeat Soles

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  2. Beautiful views and its nice you don't have to hike up to see them! I also love how green everything is there and the old water tower looks very photogenic.

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    1. Thanks Pat! We've received so much rain this year, everything is definitely very green!

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  3. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and I loved the eagle and butterfly at the end. #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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    1. Thanks Sue! Even though Eagles are a common sighting around here, I think it was a turkey vulture.

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  4. What beautiful photos, Amy. I truly hope I make it out your way at some point. My goal is to visit all 50 states. Memorial Park is now on the list! Thanks for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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    1. Aww, thanks Christie! I hope you make it to Minnesota too!

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  5. Gorgeous pictures. Love, love your butterfly. Thanks for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I have shared on social media.

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  6. Beautiful photographs! Thanks for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty

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  7. Beautiful scenery! I especially like the views from the top. Thank you for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’m sharing your link on social media.
    Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi

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  8. Looks like a fun day and I love that water tower! It is nice when you can drive up to catch some views and have the option of hiking or not.

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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    1. Thanks Carrie! Yes, it's nice to have that option!

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    2. Loved seeing your photos! Looks like a nice place to visit :) Thank you Amy for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared your post on Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter. I don't see a Facebook share button.

      I've added you to a list I'm compiling of grandmothers who blog. If you're on Facebook, and since you're a blogging grandmother, I'd like to invite you to join our Blogging Grandmothers group for friendship and networking. We grandmothers have to stick together you know :) See the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1045124028915511/

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    3. Oh thank you! I only have a FB share button at the very bottom of my post. I have a personal FB account under my full name, but I don't have a business/blog page . I will definitely join the group. You're right, us grandmothers have to stick together. I'm so happy I found your link up!

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  9. How beautiful! A fun way to spend an afternoon! My husband was born in Duluth, MN and his sister, cousins, niece and nephew still live there. Thank you for sharing your day with us at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty!

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  10. Fantastic blog you have here. You’ll discover me looking at your stuff often. Saved! Red Wing Boots

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