What's In My Neighborhood

Now that Parker is a bit older, we are finally beginning to explore our new home here in Minneapolis, MN. Most of our friends and family live on the West Coast, so I thought it would be fun to share with you our adventures and explorations as we discover what Minnesota is all about. I will try and post something new every Monday.

This weekend, the whole family went to Minehaha Falls. Can you believe that this is barely a 30 minute drive from our home? ...and we live less than 10 minutes away from Downtown Minneapolis!

(Minnehaha Falls)

The waterfall was gorgeous and there were trees everywhere. Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha Creek is part of a system that extends from Lake Minnetonka and flows for 22 miles through several suburbs west of Minneapolis. Including the Lake Minnetonka, the watershed for the creek covers 181 square miles. What makes it special is the 53 foot Minnehaha Falls located near where the creek and the Mississippi River meet.

(Views of the Mississippi River)

We wanted to check out the trails near the bottom of the falls, but unfortuantely it was not accessible with a stroller. The park is divided into two parts - the manicured park at the top and the more natural environment at the bottom, near the falls.

(Minnehaha Garden)

Even though we had to stay in the park area, we had a lovely time walking. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day.

I look forward to visiting again when Parker is just a bit older. Then we can go to the nature trails at the bottom of the Falls as well as rent one of these ADORABLE bikes...I fell in love with the yellow and white stripe awnings!

Minnehaha is definitely a strange name (I often wonder where the names in the Minnesota area come from...they all seem a bit different to me). The name is often translated as "Laughing Water", however the correct translation is actually "curling water" or "waterfall". The name comes from the Dakota language.

I hope that all of you had as lovely of a weekend as we did.