Two Harbors....

....Minnesota, a place of beauty and Split Rock Light,
and birthplace of 3M, much to their delight,
the beauty of the lighthouse is unique,
photos will follow, so you can take a peek.

It sits high on a bluff the yellow painted light,
beauty and function shining through the night,
a most photographed place, loved by all,
why not take a trip and visit, in the fall.

Top:  Split Rock Light at sunrise.
Middle: (1) The Town of Two Harbors.
Middle: (2) Split Rock Light high on the bluff.
Bottom: A closer look.

Duluth.....

....Minnesota, zenith city of the unsalted seas,
said T P Foster in 1868, and you should see the sea;
the port ships to the seven seas, via the Atlantic,
and when the weather warms, activity is frantic.

This is a city afterall, here on Lake Superior,
busy places, universities, arts, not seen in the interior,
but natures bounty is close by in vast array,
Abby want's to visit more, but I want to go away.

Top:  The entrance to the port, in winter.
Middle: Grains are shipped from here as well as iron ore.
Bottom: A ship on Lake Superior.

Bemidji....

....Minnesota, first town on the Mississippi River,
and with four hundred lakes, this town can deliver,
the lakes and the forests are what brings people in,
and they'll keep coming again and again.

These lakes are the source that pour water down,
all the way to the gulf, so the land won't drown;
from humble beginnings to watery giant,
most times tame, sometimes defiant.

Top:  Loons take a swim on one of the lakes.
Middle: Paul Bunyan and Babe (the real Paul Bunyan is in Bangor, Maine)
Bottom: A goodnight from Bemidji

Menahga....

....Minnesota, Menahga means blueberry in Chippewa,
and the Saint Urlo statue here is the grandest of all,
many Finnish people live here too,
a reason for Saint Urlo being shown to you.

It's just a small town on the Blueberry River,
here for the farmers who live out hither, (don't know about yon)
It's a good place to visit, maybe to stay,
watch out for grasshoppers, that's what they say.

Top: Saint Urlo, with an explanation (click to make it bigger)
Middle: The Saint in the park.
Bottom: Sunrise in Menahga.

Long Prarie...

...Minnesota, a nice small town on a river and lake,
service center of the county, provider, give or take,
good weather and good neighbors provide,
a style of living values that you can't divide.

Fishing is the activity of choice here,
summer or winter you can hear them cheer,
who's first line is taken, oh! I got a bite,
this is one place where they do it right.

Top: The Long Prarie River
Middle: Downtown
Bottom: Another river view

Willmar.....

.....Minnesota, home of the famous Willmar Raid,
when Machine Gun Kelly, a single visit made...
...on the Willmar Bank, the gang wounded three,
and earned Willmar, a spot in history.

Now know for gangs, or a different sort,
fishermen come here to craft their sport,
the lakes and rivers teem with fish,
but some have no luck! No fish on a dish.

Top:  A storm approaching.
Middle: He will have fish on his dish.
Bottom: A lake view sunset.

Redwood Falls....

....Minnesota, home of Minnesota's Yellowstone, Ramsay Park,
it's the largest municipal park in the US, good place for a lark;
it's a popular place for many, four miles of trails for all,
you can hike, camp and walk, spring, summer and fall.

Top:  Falls in summer
Middle: Bridge over the Minnesota River
Bottom: Frozen falls in the Winter

Mankato....

....Minnesota, home town of Sinclair Lewis for one,
where the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers run,
a vibrant place, at a less than hectic pace,
where the Vikings prepare for the football race.

A tragic history in this, now, fair place,
once the site of division of the white and red race,
most saved by Lincoln in eighteen sixty-two,
things settled down, thankfully, as they do.

Top:  One of Minnesotas' ten thousand lakes
Middle: Flood control at work in Mankato
Bottom: Buildings in the city (click to enlarge)