Recently in Northern Minnesota Category

A little ways north of the Minneapolis metro area is the modest metropolis of St. Cloud. Clearly an agriculture center, it isn't exactly a tourist mecca, but it does have a gorgeous set of gardens near the Mississippi.

The Clemens gardens sit on a hill above the river (Yes, a sizeable hill. They are few and far between up here...). It's done up English-style, meaning tons of flowers, nice symmetrical displays, and quaint fountains. It is immaculately tended, rivalling in quality, though not in size, the Butchart Gardens in Vancouver Island, BC. More after the link...

Driving around Brainerd, Minnesota today, I encountered this health-conscious bowling Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Note that Babe is conscientiously advertising a smoke-free bowling area. He is also eating bowling pins the size of small children.

ps--still working on getting the comments back.