Will vs fallen tree on Sakatah Trail

Excitement on the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail out of Faribault. First we encounter two Kildeer parental birds playing the broken wing dance in the middle of the bike trail. Will looks to the side and narrowly misses riding over the wee kildeers hopping along the trail. We get to go through this charade again on the return trip. Then the winds that kicked up from the Southwest knock over a good size tree across the trail outside of Elysian. Will takes on the tree by himself and breaks a path through the branches for the screamer (that would be the bike not me).



It's our first trip out from Faribault. We typically start at Shager Park on Cannon Lake to avoid the stoplights and traffic out of the trailhead. It was early for us 9:30 am and the gulls were lined up along the lakeshore single file looking for goodies. This trail goes through a number of small towns. Today we cruised through Warsaw, Morristown (celebrating Dam Days), Waterville to Elysian. You get to see people's backyards and gardens. The main attraction and the most scenic part of the trip is the Sakatah Lake State Park. One rides along the lake under a high canopy of trees. The trail is interrupted in Waterville so you get to ride through the town following very small trail signs. They have a great watertower by the way. Elysian is a pretty town. We recommend the ice cream store on the trail. Nana's Nook is worth a stop for gifts made from recycled plastic bags. I bought my knitting bag there last year. There is also the funky LeSueur County historical society museum in the old school building.



Vestiges of railroads: a few stone mile markers remain, a signal post outside of Waterville and rails in the road near Faribault.

Amenities: Full automated rest area at the trailhead in Faribault, Biffys at Morristown and Waterville and bathrooms in Elysian.

Wild flowers: Hillsides of purple Dames Rockets, white campion, wild roses, columbine, goat's beard, virignia waterleaf, wild geranium.

Wildlife: herons, egrets, cowbird, kildeer family, red tail hawk



Sad news: Starbucks in Faribault is closed.