WW: Paddle Boats {Linky}

Every time I go to Mahoney State Park I want to go horseback riding. Travis says, "I don't see your obsession about horseback riding. It's not that fun." I reply back with, "Every kid needs to try it. I thought it was fun as a kid." Every year he wins. Not because he's right, it's either too hot for the horses to be out, or they don't have a time slot open that will work for us. 

We decided to go paddle boating instead. Someday we'll go horseback riding. 

We got there before the ticket stand was open. In the mean time we looked at geese.

Geese were all over! Isaak was trying to charm them in his direction. I'm not so sure it worked. He didn't have any food for them. 

We did get pretty close to them! 

The geese decided to leave Isaak behind.

We waited, and waited for them to open their doors...

Mica with his creepy grin:

A little better:

Isaak looking natural:

After a bit it was time to get tickets. Is it just me, or does anyone else get highly annoyed when people just get someplace, and run to the door? We waited a good 40 minutes. I wanted to yell out, "Stand back!" I've been watching way too much Curb Your Enthusiasm, and pulled a Larry David. I stood in line, and talked to my kids about how rude it is to cut in front of people. It was probably rude for me to complain, but dang it, didn't they learn not to cut in line in Kindergarten? 

Paddle Boating we went:

I was only at the angle to get shots of Isaak, and the water. Mica hates photos of himself right now anyhow.

We got food to feed the fish geese. The geese liked us a whole lot when we had food!

I thought it was fun. Travis on the other hand said, "I'm never getting in a boat with those two again!" Mica would flat out stop steering, or pedal backwards just to piss Isaak off. Isaak steered us into the side, where we couldn't get out. Ha! I just sat there and giggled, while Travis looked a bit like his head was going to pop off he was was so annoyed.

The side looked like nature glitter:

Now we can say we've been paddle boating. 

Have you been paddle boating? Did you get steering into the wrong direction? 

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I got no compensation, for writing this post. All opinions are my own. 

Gooseberry Falls State Park @mndnr

One of our favorite stops in Minnesota was Gooseberry Falls State Park.

From Their Site:

Gooseberry Falls is the gateway to the North Shore. It is known for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, Lake Superior shoreline, Civilian Conservation Corps log and stone structures, and north woods wildlife.

Listen to the thunderous roar of the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls of the Gooseberry River as it plummets through a rocky gorge. Watch for waves, ships, or the moon rise on Lake Superior from an ancient lava flow known as the Picnic Flow.

Hike or ski to see the Fifth Falls through a forest of evergreens, aspen, and birch, and enjoy camping in modern campsites, picnicking, and relaxing along the Lake Superior shoreline or the Gooseberry River.

To get the most out of your visit, stop by the Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center where you can find park information, interpretive displays, a park video, Nature Store, and more. Don't miss the Gateway Plaza for outdoor interpretive signs on area resources and history.

Address:

3206 Highway 61 East
Two Harbors, MN 55616

Hours:

8-10 Daily

Cost:

Free

Do be prepared to hike! It doesn't take long to get to waterfalls. There are a lot of steps.

They get bigger and bigger.

What I liked just as much as the waterfalls is the tree trunks. They twist and turn.

The kids loved exploring down below.

My one selfie:

Rocks:

And the boys bonded.

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I got no compensation, for writing this post. All opinions are my own.