Weekend in the Twin Cities

After work we headed up to the Twin Cities for our long holiday weekend.  Many times when we spend a weekend in larger towns, we just drive up and stay in a hotel for a night or two.  Sheraton hotels are very dog friendly.  But for our longer weekend, we decided to stay at a campground.  Unfortunately, we made this decision last minute after we learned our trout fishing weekend was going to be washed out.  So using AllStays app, and RvParkReviews.com - we narrowed our search down to campgrounds that seemed clean and safe. 

Leaving late, we boon-docked overnight in a casino parking lot and awoke to find 2 other trailers that had stopped for the night.

For a few hours, I thought this would be a Byam-in-Flowers photography weekend.

We dropped our Airstream off at our home for the weekend - Dakota County Fairgrounds.  The hostess was sweet, and let us pick our own site among a dozen trailers.  There was lots of space as the campground is set up to hold a couple hundred tightly packed trailers during the county fair.  We slept well each night, but found no reason to spend time at the wide open (few trees) fairgrounds.  Planning for our next visit we checked out a couple other campgrounds that were full during our weekend.  First was nice Lake Byllesby Campground near Cannon Falls where we found a couple open sites.  And a beach that sadly won't allow dogs.

We also checked out Lebanon Hills which was completely full - another nice looking park and located closer to St. Paul.  Maybe next time.

Byam stayed in the Airstream while we spent the Fourth of July watching fireworks from a wall-to-wall packed bridge.  I'd hoped for a huge and fantastic display for larger city, and would call the fireworks nice.













Heading into the city, our GPS kept calling it Street Paul, which got us laughing every time!  The next morning picked up some really sweet sugar snap peas at the St. Paul Downtown Farmers Market.  The one block covered market was nice, but is miniscule in comparison to Des Moines.  And the St. Paul does not allow dogs... sigh...  So off we went on the dog friendly St. Paul Heritage Trail.  Byam made some new friends.

Tri State Camper Rally - Many Vintage Trailers! This year hosted by Mandie and Cynthia - Aloha!

 Even without our grass skirts - I guess we are all too cool?

 The movie "Blue Hawaii" with Elvis Presley was enjoyed with popcorn.

This is Nacho - he has his own Airstream Blog!
ontheroadwithnacho.blogspot.com

Summer of 2012 - Duluth Diggin' Dogg

 Lake Superior - and Dogs ARE Welcome!
Look at the sand fly!  Byam had the best time digging in the sand, and spent a bit of time in the very clear water of Lake Superior.

Summer of 2012 Duluth - Great Dog Park

We had the entire dog park to ourselves.

 Keene Dog Park - great hill to run up and around!

Summer of 2012 Duluth

 Fantastic Location - Dogs are Welcome!

 Watching the birds!

Finally a chance to swim!

Summer of 2012 Banning State Park

Looking forward to our first long walk on vacation!

Banning State Park allows dogs on the trails which is awesome.

We wandered up and down the trails throughout the park which is part of a previous stone quarry.  It was quiet - we met only 4 other people and 1 dog on our walk.  Really cool temperature inside the quarry area - so nice for August!

Byam wanted to go swimming, but the water was moving too fast.

Even a small waterfall in the park - great place!

10th State Visited - Minnesota Fly Fishing Training

Great Waters Mid-West Fly Fishing Expo

Dogs are allowed in the Sheraton Hotel Bloomington MN, so Byam got to attend seminars - here she is before the cast of training yarn touched Byam!