REGIONS: SOUTHERN A WEEKEND ON THE ROOT RIVER TRAIL by Zoey Cole When I was young, my family took many trips to Lanesboro to bike the Root River State Trail, but as my sister and I got older, our busy lives kept us from returning. So when my sister accepted a new job as a nurse, we decided to celebrate with a trip to our old haunts along the Root River Valley. The 60-mile trail offers some of the most stunning views in southeastern Minnesota, including wildflower fields and limestone bluffs overflowing with trees. out for the 28-mile round trip from Lanesboro to Peterson and back. After 30 minutes of biking along the lively Root River through the Bluff Country’s beautiful nature, craggy outcroppings and goldenrod-sprinkled prairies, we arrived in Whalan where a heavenly Aroma awaited. BIKING FOR PIE: Housed in a small, yellow-sided building, the Aroma Pie Shoppe in Whalan is a local legend with a perpetual line out front and pies that sell out quickly. As we waited, we argued over what flavors to split and pinned down our top choices: chocolate cashew, strawberry rhubarb, and my personal favorite, sour cream lemon. After a As kids, we camped with our parents in couple slices of pie, we Lanesboro’s Sylvan continued to Peterson, Park , learning to fish WE ARGUED OVER where we stopped at the in the park’s well-Station Museum and stocked ponds. When WHAT FLAVORS ate burgers and fries at we rolled into town Burdey’s Cafe. As we Friday evening, we TO SPLIT AND biked back, the sky grew drove around the park, darker over the bluffs and PINNED DOWN the tennis courts and a flock of wild turkeys the fishing ponds. My OUR TOP CHOICES: strutted across the trail. sister pointed out the We arrived in Lanesboro Lanesboro Dam and CHOCOLATE just in time to catch the reminded me of the time sunset from Sylvan Park. we tried to “free” my CASHEW, dad’s bait minnows On Sunday morning, STRAWBERRY into the falls. we packed up the car and drove to Historic Instead of camping, RHUBARB, AND Forestville , with fishing we booked the Bicycle rods our father (an avid Loft Suite at Stone MY PERSONAL fisherman) had insisted Mill Hotel and Suites , we bring. We spent the FAVORITE, SOUR a converted granary afternoon fishing and built circa 1885. We CREAM LEMON. exploring the town, which unpacked our bags was established in 1853 before walking to Pedal when settlers from England, Ireland, Germany Pushers Cafe for Norwegian meatballs and a and Holland arrived. Forestville’s well-preserved hearty chef salad. That night, we tucked ourselves buildings make it feel like you’re stepping under quilts made by the area’s legendary Amish into the 1800s. craftswomen. With the quiet of the day, we reflected on our On Saturday morning, we walked to the first camping trip so many years ago and how Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe for hash browns and much we both still loved this part of Minnesota. fried eggs, then picked up our rental bikes at Even after so much time, there’s still new Little River General Store. We started biking beauty (and new pie flavors) to find. down the Scenic Downtown Pathway and headed Photo Caption 92 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2021 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 93
