Tag Archives: Nerstrand

Destination, iPhoneography, Nature, Panorama, Photography, Steam-scapes, Travel

CARON FALLS – Caron Park #exploremn

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CARON FALLS

This 60 acre park is located north of County Road Number 88 (170th Street) and three miles from Nerstrand Woods State Park in the eastern part of the County. Caron Park became reality in 1990 and development continued through 1997.  A cor-ten steel footbridge and 1.5 miles of trail have been established at Caron Park. The park is a remnant of the Big Woods Forest Community and serves as an excellent environmental study area.  Caron Park features are as follows:  Picnic area complete with a shelter, Biking trail, Hiking trail and Nature study. ~Rice County

A nice little park in Rice County; only a few miles from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park and Hidden Falls.  To my surprise, there were actually two falls there.  Caron is the larger of the two.  I see on Google Maps that the other falls is identified as Wellstone Falls.  I don’t know if that is accurate or not, but having visited it on the anniversary of the death of Paul Wellstone, I’ll go with that.

Caron Falls

The path to the falls is along a slight grade; it’s most steep at the top – you won’t notice it until the return trip.  The uneven ground, due to a bit of erosion, meanders its way to a valley where the river flows.  The beautiful mature woods opens up to where both falls are located.  There is a large metal bridge that will get you to the other side without getting your feet wet.

iPhone photos

DSLR Shots of Caron Falls with 10 stop ND filter

Top of Caron Falls

I did not get any usable photos of Wellstone Falls, the sun was not in an optimal position and the light was a bit too bright.

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Destination, iPhoneography, Panorama, Photography, Steam-scapes, Travel

NERSTRAND BIG WOODS – State Park #exploremn

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NERSTRAND BIG WOODS

Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, northeast of Faribault near the small town of Nerstrand. The park derives its name from the Big Woods, a large, contiguous forested area covering much of central Minnesota prior to the arrival of European settlers. The park and its forest were an outlying ‘woods’ typical and similar to the Big Woods proper, which were historically found on the more recent glacier deposits located west of the Cannon River 10 miles to the west. Aside from a small waterfall, the outstanding natural feature of the park is the forest itself. ~ wikipedia

It was a beautiful Autumn morning to take a walk out to Hidden Falls in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.  Out and about with two other photog-friends, Jeff & Robert chasing waterfalls and capturing the Autumn palette.

Dan, Jeff & Robert

Albeit past prime with many leaves on the ground, there was still a fair amount of color.    The trail out to Hidden Falls is .5 miles on dirt/gravel and wooden boardwalk trails with some stairs.

There was a nice flow when we arrived at the falls.  We even had the whole place to ourselves for a little bit.  A nice day brought out several people that we passed on our way out.  Since you are in the area, be sure to stop at Nerstrand Meats & Catering for a snack or picnic supplies.  Their smoked meat products are phenomenal.  Cheddar Stix and Cajun Jerky are two of my must have favorites whenever I pass through the area.

iPhone shots of the Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

DSLR shots with 10 stop ND filter

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

 

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Photography

Local. Food. Good. Nerstrand Meats & Catering

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What does that really mean – local?  For me local is more than geographical proximity. Rather, it is all about local folks, who for the most part were born and raised in their communities, offering quality items in their communities.  We shop local as much as possible at farmers markets, grocery stores, meat markets, bakery’s – you name it.  If we do not do this, some of the most wonderful things we love and enjoy will cease to exist in our community.  We patronize local establishments when we travel too.  We love to sample the local flavor that the community has to offer.  You usually find passionate locals doing what they love.  These establishments tend to have much character – you know the type that sticks in your memories.  We especially love antique stores, meat lockers, cheese factories and bakeries.  Who doesn’t?

My absolute favorite meat locker is Nerstrand Meats & Catering.  This little gem has been operating at this very place in Nerstrand, MN since 1890.  I’ve come here for about ten years now.  The flavor they achieve with their smoked meat is second to none – a very tangy and pungent smoke flavor – pure bliss to the smoked meat connoisseur.  This is quality meat.  Local.  Food.  Good.

Nerstrand Meats & Catering

I was in their neck of the wood (very close to Nerstrand Big Woods State Park) recently and acquired a bag full of delectable goodies, of which was torn into post-car-door-close.  I made short work of the small snack pack of meat stix I had purchased for the ride home.  Other items in the bag included cajun beef jerky, more beef stixs, ring bologna and breakfast sausage links.

Speaking of breakfast sausage links…

I couldn’t help but think this a.m. when I was frying up the breakfast sausage links that ILittleSizzlers acquired from Nerstrand:  now this is real and good food.  It is funny to hear that some think that food comes from a grocery/retail store.  It technically does, but where it come from before that is what is really important.  The concept and tradition of the family farm is almost gone.  City kids seemingly have no clue where their food comes from.  Hello big corporate food giants churning out the food product.  If you haven’t seen the documentary Food, Inc. please take some time and do so.  It is on Netflix or you can watch it on-line through vimeo for free.  Food is a big deal; a big deal many have lost site of I am afraid.  Big food does a great job with advertising; through imagery of an agrarian America set in a pastoral fantasy land.  This is hardly the case anymore.

I love and crave real food; not food product.  Overly processed and chemically produced food product – just the sound of that should bring one to their senses.  There are certainly worse things than Little Sizzlers, but when presented the opportunity for fresh breakfast sausage from a meat locker, I’ll take that any day over something from the freezer aisle at the grocery store.

Nerstrand Breakfast Sausage Sausage & Eggs

The breakfast sausage was a loving paring with the scrambled eggs, mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, green onions and Neufchatel cheese.  Happy tummy…feeling sleepy-nappy now.

 

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