RIVERS, STRONG AND MIGHTY, flow through our state. The Mississippi. The Minnesota. And here in my county of Rice, the Cannon and Straight Rivers.
Here, on these waters, early inhabitants traveled via canoe, traded along river banks, built flour and woolen mills. And formed communities like Faribault, Northfield, Dundas and Morristown, all with waterways that run through.
Rivers are as much about nature as they are about our history. Like railroads, they helped to shape our towns and cities. And today, while no longer of the same utilitarian use, they remain valuable assets.
In my community of Faribault, the Cannon and Straight Rivers, which converge at Two Rivers Park, enhance our local outdoor spaces. The Straight winds through River Bend Nature Center and near city recreational trails. The Cannon spills over three separate dams and flows alongside North and South Alexander Parks and Father Slevin Park. The historic, and still operating, Faribault Woolen Mill sits next to the river, too, by the appropriately named Woolen Mill Dam.
I am naturally drawn to water, as I expect many of you are. There’s something about water—its power, its motion, its almost hypnotic quality, its soothing sound when rushing over rocks. It’s like poetry flowing into the land.
Even in the depth of winter, a river—whether iced over or still running—draws me near. To listen, like poetry read aloud. To view, like words of verse written upon paper. To photograph, like an artist and poet and writer who cares. And I do.
To walk or pause beside a river is to appreciate art and history and nature. I feel connected to the rivers that trace like poetry through the landscape of southern Minnesota. My home. My place of peace and contentment when I walk beside the waters therein.
TELL ME: Do you have a favorite river? If so, please share why you appreciate this waterway.
© Copyright 2021 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
MN has some beautiful rivers 🙂 A favorite of mine is in the area of Fort Snelling with the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers come together. Mr. Craves and I had a few dates at Fort Snelling hiking as well as toured the Fort and even got married at the Chapel. I have hiked as well as biked in various places that run along the Mississippi river and probably one of the craziest memories was stand up jet skiing on the Mississippi. Happy Weekend – Enjoy!
Thank you for sharing your stories about two Minnesota rivers and what they mean to you personally.
Nice photos Audrey. I think it’s special to live in a town with a river running through it.
I agree. There’s something about a river. I especially appreciate how the Cannon runs through the heart of Northfield, making it a focal point of your downtown.
Having grown up in Faribault, leaving the early 60s, but returning often with many connections and now in my senior years not so much, I just hope youth are educated on the naturalness and beauty of Faribault, but really southern MN. You do report and photograph them beautifully, but learning some basics of geography are essential. ex: I “lived” by a “section” of the Straight River, we swam in Cannon Lake, made absolutely no connection of the Cannon River, it’s connections to Northfield or Owatonna. I had to do genealogy to discover the Straight River was actually straightened to accommodate the railroad. There are aerials now with the drones, understanding and teaching the lay of the land is so much easier. The RCHS programs didn’t exist in my era, or for sure Mother would have had me there. I knew the East Side, down 3rd St. to the 1915 h.s. building, the way to Trinity and swimming lessons in Roberds Lake. Really all of southern MN town areas are such gems. I think it’s reflected in the many comments on that FB page with 6000 folks from many eras. What we don’t think about. Embarrassing. It’s changed. Nature’s beauty hasn’t.
I think of that often, how the course of the Straight River was changed in Faribault. I wish that hadn’t happened because our downtown would then sit along the river bank and add much to the beauty of the downtown. But what was done was done. The city is now focusing on developing the land near the viaduct into a park as well as an area further down. Finally. We need showcase these highly-visible spots of natural beauty and to protect them, railroad nearby or not. I love the Virtues Trail near the track and the river.
Frozen or unfrozen these are wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you kindly, Geri.
Lovely photos, Audrey. The first one does remind me a bit of the photo I posted today.
Thank you, Penny. Still snowing in southeastern Minnesota.
The Kettle River and the St Croix.
I knew you would have Minnesota favorites, Paula. Thank you for sharing your top two.