A scene Sunday afternoon in Faribault. The building in the background is the historic home of our town founder, Alexander Faribault.
EASTER WEEKEND BROUGHT sunshine and warmth. Temps pushing near or past 80 degrees. Lovely weather after an especially long Minnesota winter of too much cold and snow.
Ducks enjoyed the day too along the banks of the Cannon River in North Alexander Park.
After the daughter and her husband left for their Wisconsin home on Sunday afternoon and Randy and I completed clean-up tasks and I hung laundered linens on the clothesline, we drove across town to walk along recreational trails. We needed to stretch our legs, to work off some calories, to delight in the stunning spring day.
With the exception of grass brightening to green, the landscape appears mostly still drab. Yet, the feel, the look, the presence of spring exists.
A Canada goose sits atop a mound in the middle of the river near Two Rivers Park.
Nesting waterfowl.
Biking along a trail in North Alexander Park, Faribault.
People biking and walking and shooting hoops.
Playing basketball in North Alexander Park.
We’ve emerged from our homes to embrace the season—to breathe in the warm air, to feel sunshine upon our backs, to take in a landscape transforming daily.
A patch of snow next to the Faribault Foods building.
But, when I looked closely, I noted remnants of winter—a snow pile in the shadow of a building.
Sandbags protect a portion of the Faribault Foods building along Second Avenue.
And I noticed, too, the worry of spring flooding in sandbags circling a section of that same building, protecting it from the nearby swollen river. Just last week Faribault was in a flood warning following torrential rains.
Ducks in the Cannon River as seen from the recreational trail in North Alexander Park.
For now the sun shines spring into April days here in southern Minnesota. A welcome change from winter.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
It’s coming, isn’t it? I am so happy for you. Makes me feel not quite so guilty about sharing my 80 degree sunny days that we have had all week. Last week we had those torrential storms as well and got 12 inches of rain in less than 12 hours. Yes. You read that correctly! Note exclamation mark. Things are much drier now but it was one scary storm. A tree crashed to the ground yesterday early evening between the neighbors and our yard so today is clean up. Fortunately it only slightly grazed the electrical box so no damage but holy cow-it scared us.
Twelve inches of rain in 12 hours are unbelievable. I expect lots of trees uprooted, roads flooded and mudslides happened. I hope that bad weather has moved out of your area.
83 degrees, it was like heaven.
Yesterday, I noted that the buds on the royal couple began to swell. You remember them. They were the plum trees we bought at Farmer Seed And Nursery on the day that we all got together for a beer in Faribault last year.
We named them after Harry and Megan who were married that weekend. 🙂 🙂
We are pleased that they made it through the winter, though we had our doubts about Harry.
This is great to hear about the plum trees. You do know that Farmer Seed and Nursery closed, right? Sad.
Any time you two are up to meeting for another beer, let us know. Oh, yeah, F-Town is closed now too. Sigh. But Corks & Pints opened in its place and 10,000 Drops Distillery is right next door in the same building complex. I need to get up to Loon Liquors yet.
It’s sad to learn that Farmer Seed and Nursery closed. I did not know that. They were a Faribault landmark.
And F-Town too? Glad to hear they were replaced.
We should get together again. We had a great time last year… Where does the time go?
Julie is retiring next month and we bought a camper. She wants to see the country, though I have already seen it. 🙂
Yes, let’s plan on getting together sometime. Good for Julie to retire. What fun you two will have on your adventures.
Just missing the good old ice cream cone – another sign of Spring in MN. Glad the weather is turning for the better there 🙂 Happy Day – Enjoy!
I didn’t see anyone eating ice cream. But we did have our Peanut Buster Parfaits when the walk-up/drive-up DQ opened in, I believe, March.
Nice scenes of spring! Love the kid whose bike helmet looks like a deranged unicorn.
I did a second take on that unicorn helmet. It’s one way to get your kid to wear a helmet.
A welcome change indeed!
We were able to have our very first Easter egg hunt, with all three cousins together, outside. It was special.
What fun.
Glad you got your spring….it is refreshing 🙂
I feel like spring really is here now with the grass greening, trees budding and perennials popping.
Nice. I am even enjoying nice weather on a deck in Northern MN. Enjoy the season.
Keep enjoying the outdoors here in MN.
Here until Sunday. Then back to Europe. It has been fun experiencing all seasons in 4 weeks!😊
That you have. All seasons.