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Great channel!

This video had a great twist. I was not expecting to learn all that about Donnelly!

This was a great lesson in the history of the area and Mr. Donnelly's eccentricities. Thank you for sharing your walk with us!

Thank you for sharing this online. I knew of Ignatius Donnelly, he was quite an interesting fellow -- and his ahead of their time books ... I vaguely remembered much on this little town. Glad to hear of it again.

I’m so glad you’re back making a video. Just discovered your videos about a couple months back and was hoping you were still doing well. I’m like you, I like to walk places and think of all the history that happened there.

The St. Croix is an absolute jewel.

Terrific production value and not a word wasted.

cool

This looks like a really fun walk and I would love to go. Looks like some is under water right now per comments. Maybe a month or so. Thanks for this beautiful video.

Coal has been mined in S.E. Minnesota and N.E. Iowa. There is some oil deposits in northern Minnesota, not sure if it’s enough to try to extract it. In the 80’s there was some oil drilling in west central Minnesota. Apparently there are some deposits but not enough to be worthwhile to go after. Also in the 80’s there was drilling for oil in N.W. North Dakota. They said that they knew there was oil there but didn’t know how to get it out of the ground.

Good stuff.

Well done.

@14:30 - I appreciated the video slowdown while the bird flew over the path, and you can see its shadow until 14:35

@13:34 - this is also underwater.

@10:56 - re Jaycee Park. With the late Spring / early Summer rains, the Mississippi River has risen up over that boat launch. Also the white 'runway out to the boat launch. czcams.com/video/CO4LtaJy5gw/video.html

You nailed it on your butterfly identification. Native Minnesotan now living elsewhere, but I had never heard of this site until today. I wish I had known about it when I lived there as it looks like a scenic spot with an interesting history.

Excellent video

I’m from St.Paul, lived there until I was 10. Have visited family many times including my Aunt in Daytons Bluff. Never knew about Swedes Hollow. Thanks to you definitely on my list for my next visit. Thanks

I enjoyed your commentary!!

There’s a cave there to

Thanks from Scotland .

i used to live in St Paul till my now ex and i divorced.

I am lower Sioux.

I used to run and walk through Swede hallow to work out. Id walk down there at midnight never scared me.

One thing that puzzles me, Bdote is recognized as being at the east end of Pike Island, what is seen as the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. However, the Minnesota river channel straightening project in the early 1960’s greatly increased the size of the channel size on the southeast side of Pike island. The way I see it, before that project, the true confluence would have been at the west end of Pike island, right below the fort. Why isnt this the Bdote? I’ve been a visitor to this park and the Historic Fort for the last 40 years. There are many books, videos and alike about the history of the area, but I’m interested in knowing more about the dismantling of the fort’s walls, building of Fort Road through the fort. Reconstruction of the fort as well as development of the state park. Thanks for your videos.

There is an abandoned gold mine on an island in Rainy Lake

This is very cool. Never knew that area was preserved. I hike all over the eastern half of the metro now. I used to hike all over Minnesota. This is definitely a spot I am going to visit. Nature and history have been my interests since childhood. Thanks for doing your videos. 👍👍👍

Pack some heat!!!

I’ve biked through Swede Hallow many times. I’ve stopped on occasion to look at and appreciate the masonry work on the Seventh Street Arches.

I had no idea this area was now accessible. Years ago I dabbled in photography and wanted to venture into this area, but signage kept me out. I assumed it had something to do the the airport and security. Thank you for this video. I am also an elderly walker and will have to check this out.

I never knew about this! Thanks for sharing!!!

Many thanks. Definitely going to check this site out. Stillwater may be regarded as the birthplace of Minnesota, but the Mendota region is easily a close sibling, if not its twin.

There are more than a few apartment buildings whose walls facing the view of the Minnesota River Valley from the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers are windowless. This goes to how stairwells are now placed in newly constructed American apartment buildings, the placement of which do not allow way to wall apartments but only wall to hallway. Another insult to our ability to appreciate the landscape about us.

I love the accent.

Do you know what the Dakota Name for Pike Island is?

Thank you for taking us along!

Even if someone discovered oil in Minnesota, the state government wouldnt let anyone profit off of it. Look at what happened to the iron range currently.

I don't think I've ever seen a dwarf trout lily before, and I'd love to go hike this trail and see one someday!

Been there many times. Just a beautiful place to experience while getting some good exercise.❤

Many sincere thanks to all of those who stepped up to save this beautiful and historic site.

I was already familiar with early oil exploration in Minnesota but yours was an informative video. A question remains though. If the geology of this state in not favorable for oil or gas deposits how is the formation of such deposits and at realitively shallow depths explained? Especially given the scrubbing most of this state received at the end of the last Ice Age.

Very interesting, fun video. Thank you!

Very informative video, thank you! Question- is this footage current? I'm a little taken aback by the fall-ish looking foliage. Everything is still pretty much green up here in the East Metro.

Excellent!

Stairs

One of my favorite spots! Especially at night, beautiful skyline views

I too live close to these parks, Lebanon is my daily hike, and I’ve seen these herds of goats around mainly Portage or McDonough/Schultz Lake. I was shocked to see how many there were! You’re right, they are quite entertaining.

Goooood

Thank you for the work that you put into this.

We have evolved soles of our feet which are exquisitely sensitive to pressure allowing another way to feel pleasure. I was in a park with islands and branching walkways. I watched a dog come to a junction and pausing before deciding which way to go. At that moment I realized it had an internal map of the park which it was consulting.