wonderful reasons: Avon Hills Important Bird Area in Stearns County Minnesota - 08/01/10 12:49 PM
Avon Hills Important Bird Area in Stearns County Minnesota
 
The Avon Hills is roughly 72,000 acres of excellent bird habitat, the area is included in the Important Bird Areas Program in Minnesota. The Avon Hills IBA is expansive, including the areas of St. Wendel Bog, St. John's Arboretum (including the St. John's Campus) Max Partch Woods, the Avon Hills SNA, and 3 waterfowl production areas. Avon Hills IBA has several small and medium size lakes. The most notable of the lakes in the area are Kramer Lake, Big Fish Lake, Big Watab Lake, Lake Sagatagan, Pelican Lake and the Spunk Lake Chain in Avon.
The bird … (2 comments)

wonderful reasons: Hemker Park & Zoo in Freeport Minnesota - 07/31/10 08:28 AM
Hemker Park & Zoo in Freeport Minnesota
Hemker Park & Zoo started 30 years ago as Hemker Wildlife Park as the vision of Mark Hemker. Mark started off his vision with 2 Mallard ducks and began to create his dream of a place for animals to florish where people could come to view their activities up close and in person. Over the years Hemkers has grown into a home for over 32 different kinds of waterfowl and multiple kinds of other animals. Today Mark's children continue his dream with the Park & Zoo.

 
Parties, educational tours, Special Holiday events, picnics, and wagon rides are just … (0 comments)

wonderful reasons: The Tour of Saints and The College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph Mn - 07/30/10 06:32 AM
Each year the Tour of Saints, a heavenly bike ride begins and ends it's journey at the College of St Benedict's Campus in St Joseph Minnesota. The tour has both a 35 mile and 50 mile option for its particitants who enjoy riding along scenic byways through St. Joseph, Cold Spring, Collegeville and Avon.
Preplanned stops along the route allow for a breather and a snack. The first stop is at the fabulous Cold Spring Bakery and another stop along the way is at the Collegeville Orchards. The route is both beautiful and safe with bicycle mechanics and support trucks available if needed. This years Tour of … (0 comments)

wonderful reasons: Central Mn Vietnam War Memorial - 07/28/10 05:30 PM

Central Mn Vietnam War Memorial
In Eastman Park at Lake George downtown St Cloud stands the Central Minnesota Vietnam War Memorial. Carved in granite, an American soldier and South Vietnamese soldier represent the 2 countries who fought side by side during the war, and above their heads flies their countries flags.
You'll never be forgotten, carved in granite, at the feet of the the 2 soldiers. The memorial was created due to the efforts of Hoa K. Nguyen, a former South Vietnamese military officer, who wanted to honor all those who fought for South Vietnam's freedom. There were 17 men from St Cloud MN who … (1 comments)

wonderful reasons: What happens when 2 guys make the trip of a lifetime down the entire Mississippi River? - 07/28/10 04:39 AM
What happens when 2 guys make the trip of a lifetime down the entire Mississippi River?
From the headwaters at Lake Itasca in Clearwater County Minnesota all the way along the 2,320 mile long Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2009, last summer, 2 men did just that, filming their adventures along the way.
The River is Life is the documentary that was produced by 11 Visions and is now being shown in select venues. We will have the opportunity to see this film on Wednesday August 18, 2010 at 8:00pm in Wilson Park St Cloud MN.
This has not been publicized … (2 comments)

wonderful reasons: Take a day off on the Mississippi River - Mississippi River Fun Day! Saturday August 14, 2010 - 07/27/10 05:05 AM
Take a day OFF at the Mississippi Fun Day on Saturday August 14!
Stearns County Mississippi River Park will be having their Mississippi River Fun Day again this year. With the multiple displays, the laser shoot, and the GPS treasure hunt the day is educational as well as a lot of fun!
The Mississippi River Fun Day is being hosted by the Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District in conjunction with the Minnesota DNR, Stearns County Parks, St Cloud State University and Benton County in order to showcase the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota. Last year Raptors from the U of MN were at … (6 comments)

wonderful reasons: Whoo Hoo! It's time for the 98th Annual Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids Mn! - 07/26/10 12:01 PM
 Whoo Hoo the Benton County Fair is here again!
The 2010 Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids Minnesota, August 3rd to August 8th, will be an event to remember and the schedule this year, as always, has something for everyone. If you live in central Minnesota then you know how big the Benton County Fair is. It actually comes up in conversation when you are showing homes for sale near the Benton County Fair Grounds. You see the fair is so popular that homeowners in the area actually charge people to park on their lawn; because if you are not there first thing in … (5 comments)

wonderful reasons: Everybody in the lake! Warner Lake Stearns County MN - 07/25/10 01:50 PM
Today was an absolutely stunning day to go to the lake. While many people headed up north to the lake place, heading back with hwy 10 under construction, basically a large log jam, just didn't seem like the appropriate thing to do when we have a very wonderful public lake within 10 minutes of the house. Besides we had to get today's post done for the wonderful reasons to love St Cloud and Warner Lake seemed like a really good idea, if I do say so myself.
Warner Lake is a 241 acre park located in Stearns County Minnesota. Warner Lake County Park was initially established … (2 comments)

wonderful reasons: Wright County Swappers Meet - 07/24/10 06:15 AM
Located 25 miles south east of St Cloud and approximately 60 miles north west from the twin cities is the massive Wright County Swappers Meet. You name it they have it!
 Started in 1970, the Swappers Meet is a combination flea market, farmers market, art fair, antique mall, closeout store, and garage sale. This large outdoor market features 200-300 different dealers/vendors. Everything is available here from beautiful one of a kind handcrafted furniture to hand blown glass hummingbird feeders to shabby chic treasures, re-purposed items, country treasures, lots of fabulous antiques and loads of farm fresh produce. For the convenience of the attendees there is even a … (0 comments)

wonderful reasons: Friendship Ventures and Camp Friendship Enriches Lives - 07/23/10 12:33 PM
Friendship Ventures and Camp Friendship for 45 years has been helping to enrich the lives of people with mental and physical disabilities. As a privately funded, non profit organization each year they are able to include nearly 3,000 children, young teens and adults in Camp Friendship's many programs.
The participants build friendships while enjoying the many programs that are specifically designed to teach life enhancing skills, build self esteem, and promote independence. The programs allow for the participants to enjoy fun activities while allowing for their families to recharge. With on average one specially trained seasonal volunteer or staff member for every 2 campers, Friendship Ventures has created a … (3 comments)

wonderful reasons: 30 days of solid Rain - Active life here in the cloud, Saint Cloud that is... - 07/22/10 10:21 AM
Over the last 30 days Liz and I have had quite an experience here on ActiveRain. Our adventure started out with a simple challenge to post 100 wonderful reasons in 100 days that we love about living in St Cloud which is centrally located in the great state of Minnesota.
Our posts have caused us to reconnect with our community, our friends and make some new ones along the way. This all started off innocently enough with taking a good hard look at our blog and what was being sent out into the world and how appealing, or not, it would be to potential clients. We quickly … (15 comments)

wonderful reasons: Electricity from Water - The power of the mighty Mississippi River and The St Cloud Hydroelectric Facility Dam - 07/21/10 05:33 PM
Electricity from Water is not a new concept here in St Cloud, did you know that the first Hydroelectric Dam in St Cloud was built in 1888? The current St Cloud Hydroelectric Facility Dam was built in and became operational 100 years later on the 1st of June 1988 fully harnessing the power of the mighty Mississippi River.
The Hydroelectric Dam in St Cloud Minnesota, located next to St Cloud State University along the Mississippi River and 2.5 miles upstream from the Beaver Islands, can generate up to an astounding 9 megawatts. This is due to the 2 turbines and the fact that, on average, there … (2 comments)

wonderful reasons: How many box cars can you link together in one train? - 07/21/10 04:34 PM
Good Question.
How many box cars can you link together in one train?
This is a question that I have asked and while I have been a passenger, have heard the driver ask, more than once here in St Cloud.
Trains are a huge benefit to our community and are part of the reason businesses have thrived here and continue to do so.
 
The St Cloud Depot was built in 1898 by the Northern Pacific Railroad to accommodate the passengers who would be riding the train from St Cloud to St Paul Mn. The roof was originally a … (5 comments)

wonderful reasons: James J Hill The Great Northern Railroad and its history in St Cloud MN - 07/20/10 09:17 AM
The Great Northern Railroad founded by James J Hill plays a key roll in the history of St. Cloud MN.
James J Hill faced great adversity and turned it into great success. Known as The Empire Builder, he was a Minnesota entrepreneur extraordinaire. The statue in his honor in St. Cloud stands 20 feet tall and is carved out of granite.
Born in 1838, later blinded in the right eye by an accident with a bow and arrow, and forced to quite school due to the death of his father, he gained his knowledge from his work.
In 1873 a severe international economic depression happened. Banks were failing, unemployment hit 14% and Britian was … (6 comments)

wonderful reasons: Eastman Park and Lake George Downtown St Cloud MN - 07/19/10 04:11 PM
Lake George and Eastman Park Downtown St Cloud MN
From paddle boats to free plays by GREAT Theatre there is always something going on at Lake George in Downtown St Cloud Mn.
Laughter filled the air as children were running and playing in the splash pad, while the sound tech people were setting up for the play starting this Thursday evening at Eastman Park. A police officer waited for his next call in the parking lot and a guitarist sat in the shade of one of the many oaks strumming a tune from a seventies rock band. This is a quiet day in St Cloud at … (1 comments)

wonderful reasons: SCUBA dive in St Cloud MN at Stearns County Quarry Park and Nature Preserve - 07/18/10 12:46 PM
SCUBA dive in St Cloud MN at Stearns County Quarry Park and Nature Preserve
There is a place to SCUBA dive in St Cloud MN, and it is not a training pool. Quarry Park located just to the South of St Cloud has several old granite quarries, 1, 11, 13 and 18, that are open to SCUBA divers.
There are many interesting formations to explore but before you go you must have a permit from the Stearns County park office, you must also be certified and accompanied by a buddy. The permit is free and good for one year. Vertical walls form the sides with generally small surface areas … (3 comments)

wonderful reasons: The Granite Trio of downtown St Cloud MN - 07/16/10 05:18 PM
"The What?" The Granite Trio.

I have spoken with people who have lived here a long time and they do not recognize the name, they will recognize what I am talking about though after I say that it is the name of those 3 large granite boulders in downtown St Cloud behind Herbergers on Saint Germain St.

Actually they are no longer boulders, The Granite Trio is a work of art. The trio of large boulders were cut and then moved on site into downtown St Cloud in 1973. Working on the granite stones for 2 months with passers-by watching they were … (4 comments)

wonderful reasons: Arts Co-op and Gallery Downtown St Cloud MN - 07/15/10 12:52 PM
On any given day there is a ton of fun things to do in downtown St Cloud. Take a walk and you will see, from finding old lost records at the Electric Fetus to getting a snack at any one of the wonderful eateries in the downtown St Cloud area.
Today, I would like to point out the Arts Co-op and Gallery located at 619 West St Germain, right behind Herbergers. This co-op features local artists and their art. Paintings, stained glass, pottery, jewelry and sculpture can be seen and purchased from the artist.
If you find yourself downtown St Cloud, take a … (2 comments)

wonderful reasons: St. Cloud River Bluffs Regional Park Compost Site - 07/14/10 09:03 AM
St. Cloud River Bluffs Regional Park Compost Site is not the most exciting reason to love St Cloud MN, but it is very worthwhile.
The St Cloud city compost site is fantastic if you have some landscaping projects to do around the house. For a simple one time fee of $25 you can go to the site and pick up truck loads of mulch and compost.
The compost is created using the collected yard waste like grass clippings, tree trimmings, plant matter and stumps. The compost is rich black dirt and boy do the plants in the garden love it. If you have soil … (1 comments)

wonderful reasons: Dog Parks with Off Leash Pet Exercise Areas - another reason to love St. Cloud MN - 07/12/10 05:04 PM
See Spot. See spot run in a St. Cloud City dog park, happy Spot! I just love the fact that our city has parks specially set up for dogs and their owners to enjoy. There are many homes within the city limits of St. Cloud that do not have anywhere close to enough yard for a dog to get some well needed exercise. The city has thought of this and we have several parks to satisfy even the most energetic pup.

In St. Cloud Mn you can exercise your dog off leash in a safe environment in one of the … (4 comments)