The Cat Palm is a tropical shrub from Southern Mexico. This palm loves water - in its native environment it grows along streams and rivers. This plant grows a lot like a grassy plant - which means that it is quick to recover from damage. It is less of an issue to leave this palm outdoors during cool weather since it will rebound fairly quick. You still need to protect it from temperatures below 40° F by bringing it indoors.
Used as a staple food in much of the world, it is grown by us in Minnesota as a flower of all things. That would the same as going to Hawaii and seeing potatoes in their flower beds! None the less, the massive leaves of this plant have the tropics written all over them.
Photos are unable to express how cool this plant really is, you will be impressed by the slight variegation that is not noticeable in most photos - I did not like this plant until I tried it about 4 years ago. This is a great plant to give your yard a tropical rainforest look. They are only $1-$5 a bulb, depending on size. You can dig an replant them year after year, they will even grow offsets.
Minnesota may not be exotic or tropical, unless you grew up in the tropics, then it would be exotic. We do have natural features that give the tropics a run for the money. I think it would be a mistake not to include places to visit that are an exception to the flat prairie that dominates southwest and south central Minnesota.
Cosmos Park is located about a half a mile west of Cosmos, Minnesota on Minnesota Hwy 7. It is located on the edge of Thompson Lake.
Minnesota may not be exotic or tropical, unless you grew up in the tropics, then it would be exotic. We do have natural features that give the tropics a run for the money. I think it would be a mistake not to include places to visit that are an exception to the flat prairie that dominates southwest and south central Minnesota.
Located in Redwood Falls, Minnesota - Alexander Ramsey Park is "Minnesota's Largest Municipal Park". - The winding 1.2 mile road throught the park is a great drive on any day of the year! The paved road is open year round and as long as you don't let your dog poop you should have a great time.
West welcome signs - I get images in my head of city workers following racoons and deer around with pooper scoopers. Don't they realize that animals in nature go to the bathroom also?
Minnesota may not be exotic or tropical, unless you grew up in the tropics, then it would be exotic. We do have natural features that give the tropics a run for the money. I think it would be a mistake not to include places to visit that are an exception to the flat prairie that dominates southwest and south central Minnesota.
Garvin Park is located ? miles south of Marshall and 7.2 miles west/northwest of Tracy. It has places to camp and a tubing hill, the long winding 1.5 mile road through the park makes a nice drive on a hot summer day!
On US Hwy 59 you will see this big sign, turn off here on 272 Ave.
From US Hwy 14 you need to turn on Lyon County Road 69 aka 280 Ave. and drive 2.2 miles. This road is long and winding, but if you follow the road and don't turn off you will eventualy be on 150 Ave. - which is one of the two roads that run through the park - this road meets up with 272 Ave. in the park.
Merretta & Chet Johnson Sliding Area, a Tubing hill, complete with a tow-rope lift and a snow making machine:
Several pavilions:
Camping:
Play areas:
Walking bridges:
Cottonwood River:
Old log cabin:
Trails:
Park road:
YouTube video that I found about Garvin Park - A little off the wall, but entertaining!
Minnesota may not be exotic or tropical, unless you grew up in the tropics, then it would be exotic. We do have natural features that give the tropics a run for the money. I think it would be a mistake not to include places to visit that are an exception to the flat prairie that dominates southwest and south central Minnesota.
Beaver Falls does not actually have a falls, they call the rapids the falls. If you are in the Redwood Falls area, this is a fairly nice park to visit. The easiest way to get to the park is on US HWY 71 just north of Morton. Turn west on Renvile County 2, opposite of Birch Coulee. Go ? miles until you get to a valley with houses - the town hall is also located here. Go through the populated area and just on the edge to the south you will see the west entrance to the park. Turn left on 680th Avenue, this is the winding road that runs ? miles through the park.
This is a very safe and secure bridge, they finally took off the plywood that was covering the holes in the boards - they now have two metal runners where your tires ride on the road - I think the holes are still there!
This park has a lot of birch trees:
Beaver Creek:
Campfire areas:
On the east entrance/exit you will pass the town hall on your way out.
