Revisiting Shangri-La

On Saturday, August 23rd, I did a post on a visit to our friends Don & Sandy's beautiful home and sixty some acreage in South Central Minnesota. They call it Kerkwood but for purposes of that post I called it Shangri-La. FDR had concocted that exotic name in answer to a reporters question as to where the first American bombers had been based to make the first attack against Japan in 1942. As you can see, clicking on the following link, it is a gorgeous property indeed.

http://baron-troutbirder.blogspot.com/2008/08/was-it-shangri-la.html

We returned there a couple of weeks back. Being an early riser, I did a short walk around the place at sunrise. Here is how it looked like that morning to an early birder

I could hear birds greeting the day everywhere. The house sits on a small knoll overlooking a prairie like area and the trees following a small river. Don has mowed trails throughout. Looking back over my shoulder I watched as the sun rose above the treeline. I saw numerous birds emerging from their houses and nests. Curious about a lack activity near a bluebird abode I approached more closely There were no bluebirds but instead a pair of feisty tree swallows who emerged looking for a fight. They began dive bombing me furiously, barely skimming the top of my hat. Discretion being the better part of valor I beat a hasty retreat.

Later that day, while the ladies were doing their shopping thing, Don and I visited Minneopa State Park for some more birding. The park had a beautiful waterfall, and some thick woods, where several varieties of rare owls were known to nest. Also an extensive restored prarie. By the end of the day my total count was well over thirty birds, including a rare (for southern Minnesota) hooded warbler.

Your kisses take me to Shangri-la Each kiss is magic That makes my little world a Shangri-la A land of bluebirds and fountains And nothing to do But cling to an angel that looks like you And when you hold me How warm you are Be mine my darling And spend your life with me in Shangri-la For anywhere you are is Shangri-la How warm you are And spend your life with me in Shangri-la For anywhere you are is Shangri-la

Was It Shangri-La?

Queen B and I just returned from Shangi-La. "Your kisses take me to Shangri-La. Each kiss is magic. That makes my world a Shangri-La. A land of bluebirds and fountains...." Well, not exactly. Actually we've been visiting our friends Don and Sandy, whose homestead Kerkwood, is indeed, an almost mystical verdant hidden valley surrounded by hills, lush forests, and the music of birds. Nor will we be going back to 1974 and the all-time greatest hits of the Lettermen. Instead follow along as we visit our friends along the Maple River in southcentral Minnesota.

It was an beautiful day and on arrival our gracious hosts took us to Gustavous Adolphus College in St Peter. There we hiked a very nice arboreteum at the college. A gourmet fish dinner put on by Sandy followed and we made plans for the following day. The guys would go fishing for crappies on Lake Madison and the ladies would head off to Mankato for a "shop till you drop" outing of their own
The next day was again gorgeous with moderate temps, a slight overcast and breeze and cooperative fish. It couldn't have been any better!
That evening came the highlight of our visit. Don's "Safari Sevice" took us on a jeep ride along the maze of trails throughout the vast estate. There were colorful prairie regions, wooded river bottoms, ridges, tree forested hillsides and open uplands. Enjoy!!!


Shangri-La? Indeed!

Snow Eagles

It's winter and here in Southern Minnesota we are enjoying our "snow eagles." Historically, Bald Eagles were found in the northern pine forests and survived there as their redoubt during the DDT extirpation in the rest of the lower forty-eight states. They also survived in very limited numbers along the Mississippi River . Now with the resurgence of their kind, hundreds are found breeding thoughout the state. Along with the resident Bald Eagles, large numbers of eagle visitors winter here coming in from the Canada. Also a limited number of Golden Eagles arrive for winter from the far north.

Recently our friends Don and Sandy arrived for a visit from their home at Shangi-La in Blue Earth county. You can see their fabulous abode by revisiting a previous post at http://baron-troutbirder.blogspot.com/2008/08/was-it-shangri-la.html They too, see the white headed eagles on a regular basis near their home. Now they would join us to look for Golden Eagles above the bluffs near the Big River. The following pictures were taken by Don.

Kerkwood

It was only a few weeks ago that Mrs. T and I were visiting our good and long time friends Don and Sandy. They live on a knoll high above the Maple River in South Central Minnesota. They call their place Kerkwood. I tend to think of it as Shangri-La.

  The setting is indeed, an almost mystical, verdant hidden valley,  surrounded by prairie flood plain, lush forested hills, ridges and the music of birds. A highlight of our visit was when Don's "Safari Service"
 took me on a jeep ride along the maze of trails throughout the extensive property . Your welcome to come along, though hang on tight,  as spots can be bumpy and we have to cross a few waterways...:)

We cross the floodplain prairie and head thru a wood then up to the ridge. There we catch a glimpse of the Maple River.

Hopping off the ranger, we approach the edge of a cliff well over a hundred feet straight down to the river. I like the view but don't get too close....

Some kayakers drift around a bend and slowly paddle downstream. The next days the ladies took a shopping excursion into Mankato and Don and I headed out to a local lake to try our luck. The fish weren't exactly jumping in the boat that day but we enjoyed the outing and relived some fond times when we taught together in the same high school.

 

 We  might be a bit older, but still know how to have fun!