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Unplanned Adventures

6/4/2012

14 Comments

 

Make Life More Exciting: Discover the Hidden Adventures All Around You! by: Jennifer Kruse, Fargo

Picture
Adventures are always there... waiting for you to notice them!
Best of all, they are usually FREE!
  
Discover the Great Fun of Unplanned Adventures!
Here's an Example...             READ MORE

Jennifer Kruse photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT Aspire2Heal.com Fargo
Jennifer Kruse
I have a monthly "Date Day" with my Mom. 
We have had some AMAZING ADVENTURES on our special days together!  
 
Typically, I leave quite early in the morning (5-6am). 
Spend a wonderful day with my Mom, then I'm headed back home again. 

Last week, I had an UNPLANNED ADVENTURE on my way home.

Metal Stairs at Rest Area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Metal Stairs at Ulen Rest Area.
Wayside Rest Area just outside of Ulen, Minnesota. 
I had never stopped there before, because it always looked like the Rest Area was actually a Cemetery. Seriously, there is a Cemetery right there!  
I thought, "yep, that's a REST AREA alright!"

My curiosity finally kicked in and I decided to stop there to check it out.

If you are in need of bathroom facilities, there isn't plumbing there!
I didn't go on THAT Adventure.

I got out of the car to look around... 
You'd be amazed at what a person could miss seeing by staying in the car!

I almost missed seeing a metal staircase that was overgrown with greenery.  It seemed to blend into it's surroundings. It caught my eye as I approached, it appeared that the staircase disappeared into the forest.
It was very steep, plants were growing in on the steps, it led down to something. 
I could NOT see where the stairs led to!
   
Anyone who really KNOWS ME, 
is aware that I have "a thing" about paths that disappear off into the woods.  


Like an itch that must be scratched... I MUST FIND OUT WHERE IT GOES! 

Stairs overlook a River at rest area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse
Half Way down stairs, see a River!
Where would the stairs take me?     
Where would I end up?
    I didn't know... 

        and the "not knowing what is ahead" is the MOST exciting part! 

I started down the metal stairs, observing the steep wooded hillside. 
I wondered if there were any caves dug into it where bears or other critters lived.  If so, would I see any? 

Finally, halfway down, I could see where the stairs were taking me!

I stood on the staircase which provided a beautiful view of the Wild Rice River.
  

Wild Rice River at Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Wild Rice River from staircase.

Jennifer Kruse at Wild Rice River, Ulen Rest Area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Jen Kruse
I allowed myself to fully experience the beauty this place was sharing with me.

I stood still so long, that when I finally went to move, I startled a little Red Squirrel who had not noticed that I was there.  He squeeked & jumped as if I scared 
the poop out of him!

Wild Rice River Grasses by Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Grasses hide a squirrel next to River.
I wasn't quick enough to get a clear picture of the squirrel, but here's where he was... 
just two feet from me!

Jennifer Kruse at Wild Rice River, Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Jennifer Kruse
Sorry little Squirrel... didn't mean to scare ya!
          
Now that's what I call: "Being ONE with the Forest!"    
           :)
   
The metal stairs led to this Bridge.

Bridge at Rest Area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Bridge at Bottom of Metal Stairs.

Bridge & Stairs at rest area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Bridge & Steep Metal Stairs.
Did I mention that the Metal Stairs were STEEP? 
Notice how they disappear up into the trees... 

Bridge & Stairs at Ulen Rest Area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Bridge & Steep Metal Stairs at Rest Area.

Picture
These pictures should help to show just HOW STEEP 
the metal stairs are!

Beautiful Bridge, 
isn't it?

Wild Rice River from bridge at Ulen Rest Area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Wild Ricer River view from Bridge at Rest Area.

Wild Rice River at Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Wild Rice River


The clear water made it easy to watch the fish swim around and eat.
It was very peaceful!

There were no other people there...
Just Nature & Me.

Caterpillar Crossing Wild Rice River at Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Caterpillar Crossing
I wasn't the only one on the Bridge! Although there were no signs, 
this is clearly a 
"Caterpillar Crossing."

Caterpillar Crossing at Wild Rice River at Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Caterpillar Crossing the Wild Rice River .

Now this seems funny, since I'm known as the "Caterpillar Whisperer" WHY? Click Here

park at rest area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Bridge led to a beautiful park!

park swings at Ulen rest area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Park Swings at Rest Area Park.
The Bridge Led to a beautiful park!  
Nice Swings... but nobody is here using them!

Wild Rice River view from Ulen Rest Area. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Wild Rice River View from Rest Area Park.
I walked into the park and after enjoying it for QUITE AWHILE...
I discovered that there was 
Another Bridge!
   
I thought:
"All of THIS... Just for ME?"

2nd bridge crossing Wild Rice River at Ulen Park. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Another Bridge at the Rest Area Park!

Jennifer Kruse at Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Just Me... AND
Jennifer Kruse Shadow. photo by: Jennifer Kruse
My Shadow
Hello Shadow!

Picture
 :) YES! :) 
 
It was
 ALL 
Just for ME!


Sunset West of Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Sunset West of Ulen, MN. photo by: Jennifer Kruse
It was getting late...
decided it was time to continue heading for home. 

Just when I thought my little Unplanned Adventure was over...



The sight of this Sunset took me by surprise.    :)   
 I pulled over and...  got out of the car again!

Picture
Hey...
Why did the Caterpillar 
Cross the Bridge?

To get to the other side!

Jennifer Kruse. photo by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT of Fargo
In case you are wondering...
I did wave back to my Shadow. How else could I get that picture?  :) 


I spent a few hours enjoying that wayside rest area. 
Nobody came while I was there.
Guess I'm not the only one who avoided the "cemetery" rest stop!

Life is an Adventure! (Even Caterpillars know that!)

Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT. photo by: Jennifer Kruse of Fargo. www.JenniferKruse.com
Unplanned Adventures are Always There to Find... 
you just gotta be curious enough to check things out!  

   
 written by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT

As a Holistic Healer, Teacher and Practitioner of many Alternative Medicine Modalities, 
Jen helps people connect & understand aspects of SELF in a Profound Healing Experience. 
           Helping YOU Transform Your Life!
Interested in scheduling an Event or Class?    Call Jen at (701) 371-3111
    www.JenniferKruse.com                    www.Aspire2Heal.com
     
Notice to Publishers:    Jen is Interested in Accepting the Right Offer from a Publishing Company.  

Share This
14 Comments
Rick R
6/5/2012 01:55:02 am

What a fun afternoon. Thank you for sharing and great pictures. Good job Jen!

Reply
Jennifer Kruse
6/5/2012 02:09:12 pm

Thanks so much for the feedback Rick! :)
I always appreciate it when my readers leave comments... helps me figure out which "types" of things I should concentrate my time writing more of. :)

Reply
carol
6/6/2012 11:31:05 am

That was beautiful JEN

Reply
Jennifer Kruse
6/6/2012 10:08:17 pm

Thanks so much Carol.
Yesterday a client asked me WHERE exactly this place is... uh-oh, it could be filled with people next time I go there! ha-ha! That's OK, big beautiful park like that should be enjoyed!
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate when people take time to leave feedback. :) Jen

Reply
kenny
6/7/2012 01:12:22 am

wow...the true essence of the ride of life,,captured,,,in the present undistracted moment...beautiful jen.

Reply
Jennifer Kruse
6/7/2012 10:29:33 pm

Thank You Kenny! :)

Reply
Hugh
6/9/2012 12:07:58 am

Ran accross this artical of yours and who knew such a beautiful place existed on the back roads of America. I bet you are the first to write about this beautiful place in modern time. Thanks for sharing and special thanks for all the great pictures you took. It's so nice you took the time to share with the world. Many never get to see places like this, nor have the means and the ability to write about it and publish it for the world to see.

Thank you and nice job!

Hugh

Reply
Jennifer Kruse
6/9/2012 02:58:06 am

Hi Hugh,
Thanks so very much for the feedback! :) There's beautiful places all over... ya just gotta look to notice them. :)

Reply
Hugh
6/9/2012 03:56:34 am

Wow, it's so cool you respond to your readers comments. Very nice! You obviously take interestest in engaging your audience, nice!

Thank you,
Hugh

Randy
6/10/2012 08:23:15 am

Was surfing the net and ran across this very cool blog post of yours. Wish more people would take lots of pictures the way you did and share it in way you do. It seamed like you needed this little get away for yourself and so cool for you to share it. I think many of us just wish we could take the extra time and experience some little place as deep as you have. Maybe I can when the kids are grown.

Thanks again for sharing your experience through your eyes. NICE!

Reply
Jennifer Kruse
6/10/2012 11:42:06 pm

Hi Randy,
Thanks so much for leaving a comment. There are a number of places which come to mind which I plan to visit again to take more pictures to share.
I grew up wandering around, exploring the woods, it started out as little adventures my Mom and I used to have on our walks. You don't have to wait til the kids are grown... you could take them with you! :)

Reply
Jennifer Kruse
6/13/2012 11:27:15 pm

UPDATE: I took more pictures of this park yesterday and discovered that I'll have much more to share and write about this beautiful place!

Reply
Hugh
9/25/2012 04:51:00 am

Because of this article I took the time to visit this park when I was traveling close to this area. Jen, I thank you for sharing this as I too like unplanned adventures and this park is a hidden gem and so pretty and full of history. I imagine all the fun times had in this park and how many generations have had this park to create fanatic memories. Thank you again as you have given me something to cherish and remember to the rest of my life.

Reply
Rick
9/26/2012 11:08:53 am

Was on a trip up north and having read this artical of this great historic park I made a PLANNED ADVENTURE to stop by and see it. Thanks Jen for sharing your adventure or I would have never seen this great place

I can't wait to go back and spend an afternoon meditating on the bridge over the stream or find a trail in the trees.

Reply

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