While there wasn't much to photograph between Missouri and Minnesota, I did take this picture of a beautiful sunset in Osceola, Iowa. And if my timing had been better you would see the Amtrak California Zephyr on those railroad tracks heading west.

We arrived at Minnesota's Interstate State Park near Taylors Falls, MN on Sunday afternoon. In the past we usually camped in the Wisconsin Interstate Park on the other side of the St. Croix river. But the Minnesota park was much more 'trailer friendly'.

The campsites were beautiful, easy to back into and with plenty of room. They had electricity, but we had to use our trailer's fresh water tank and waste water holding tanks. The tanks are large enough so we didn't have to use the parks dump station until we left three nights later.

We also explored this Railroad Trail and tried to imagine how the trains got from here, up on the bluff, down to the river for the bridge crossing over to Wisconsin.

Later, after a picnic lunch in the park, we took a guided tour of the Minnesota Pot Hole Trail. The Pot Holes were formed way back when the glaciers were melting and the ancient St. Croix river was much higher than now. Rock and boulders became trapped in whirlpools and began grinding around and around at the bed of the river eventually forming the holes. Some in the park are over 50 feet deep. The park installed steps in one so visitors can walk down to the bottom.

From one of the overlooks on the Pot Hole Trail you can see this rock formation, appropriately called "The Old Man of the Dalles". Those are two people on top, and that red rope suggests some rock climbers were testing their skills. Rock climbing is permitted at numerous places in both the Minnesota and Wisconsin parks.

Jackie has lots of memories of this area and one is this old drinking fountain, that's a bubbler to you Milwaukeeans, near the trailhead on the Minnesota side.

After the hike we had a picnic lunch and then headed to the St. Croix River Tour Boats. Because the river was extremely high the boats had to dock further downstream. They don't just look like paddle boats, they actually are. The paddle wheels propel the boats and can handle the very shallow portions of the river.

Another prominent rock formation along the river is the cross. It's not the namesake of the river, as might be assumed. The river was named after an early French fort, Fort St. Croix, further upstream.

The two hour boat ride went quite a ways downstream to where the cliffs level out. In a tree along the bank the guide pointed out this bald eagle. I'm not sure if the head is white. If not, it must be a juvenile eagle, less that five years old.

As we headed back upstream, we passed the campground. Our trailer was barely visible through the trees and a clothesline in the campsite across from us.

On our walk back to the car from the boat dock we passed this rock climbing family. It looks like Dad is giving his son a little boost while Mom looks on.

We headed back to camp and as this was our most 'wilderness' camp of the trip we had to have a campfire. After supper we roasted marshmallows for s'mores.

The next day we visited the Wisconsin side of the dalles area. First stop was the old campground where Jackie and her family spent many vacations. This trail leads down to the river and her Dad's favorite fishing spot.

While much has changed in the campground, Jackie still remembers this huge rock which she climbed as a little girl. Back then it was taller than she was.

The trail down to the river was very overgrown, but we managed to get through. Because of the high water the area was flooded, and no one was trying to fish.

After the campground we went to the southern end of the Wisconsin park, passing what was the CCC camp in the '30s. Jackie's Dad worked here back then.

This is the Lake O' the Dalles and the swimming beach. The lake level was higher than either of us had ever seen it. It is connected to the river by a small creek and is affected by the river level.

For lunch we stopped at the picnic grounds. Our timing was just right. The river boat was headed upstream just as we finished eating.

After lunch we took the Wisconsin pothole trail. The potholes here are smaller. In this picture of the Old Man of the Dalles from on top you can see one pothole near the bottom.

This picture will give you an idea how high and fast the St. Croix river was. That bridge is highway 8 and normally the river boats go almost that far upriver.

Another great view from the top of the cliff on the Wisconsin side is the corner, or point. It's where most of the logjams occured in days gone by. While the sharp turn was a problem for the logs, it's easy for the River Boat tours.