Autumn in Minnesota, USA

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Readers of my blog know that I think visiting other countries and immersing oneself in their culture is truly a wonderful thing and something I love dearly. However, taking the time to see your own environment is equally important. Whether it's having your adult children bring pumpkins over to your house to carve (and maintain a family tradition), taking the time to visit a small local festival, or exploring your own state and appreciating the beauty of Autumn, taking advantage of local opportunities is important too.

I hope these photos give you a sense of Minnesota this time of year. We are blessed to have four wonderful seasons. OK, I admit that winter loses its appeal after four, five, or six months of snow and cold, but it makes us appreciate the wonders of spring, summer, and autumn that much more.

Tonight is Halloween, which I know may seem quite odd to other cultures. In fact, it IS odd. But it's a fun thing and seeing a three year old trick or treating dressed as a fairy princess is something that says there are still things quite right in this world.

Our pumpkins are lit, the candy is in the big bowl by the door, and we are ready for our first trick or treaters. Happy Halloween!

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Photos

Pumpkin Carver
This is what carved pumpkins look like when a professional is around. From Kelly Drive Festival in Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA

Cooper High School Band
This is a small festival with perhaps two blocks worth of the parade. But it was fun!

Tractor pulling large pumpkins
It's the midwest, so you must have a tractor in the parade!

Giant Pumpkins
These were all grown locally. The largest was 700 pounds!

Golden Valley, Minnesota
This is a pond that is near our house. The lake was like glass.

Pumpkin Carving
My youngest daughter shows how to carve a pumpkin.

More Carving
My oldest daughter is a good carver too. If you've never seen the inside of a pumpkin, here is your chance.

The finished pumpkins
The are in order: A scarecrow, the classic "scary face" (that's mine), a TC which is for the Minnesota Twins baseball team, and graveyard scene.

Tree in my backyard
You have to love Autumn with trees like this in your backyard.

Close-up of Leaves
Notice how many colors there are.

Battle Lake, Minnesota
I'm just trying to add to the stereotypes of the midwest, USA.

Birch Trees
Near Ottertail Lake, Minnesota

Perfect Fall Day
This is Ottertail Lake, the seventh largest lake in Minnesota (we have over 12,000 lakes).

Perham, Minnesota
All decked out for Halloween.

Minnehaha Falls, Minnesota
This is a famous waterfall in Minneaapolis.

Comments

[eve]

Happy Halloween!
What a great entry, Ted. Shows how we do take things in our own backyards for granted. The sunset over Ottertail Lake is beautiful and frameworthy! We just finished cramming our new puppy in a ginormous (is that a word? LOL) pumpkin. He was not happy. And it's really hard to get pumpkin goo off a wriggly puppy. Not recommended. Happy Halloween!

[Jessica]

A picture of the pumpkins NOW might be even scarier. :)

[Aurelie]

Thanks
Thanks for sharing those pictures, they are beautiful. I wish Halloween as as big here in Europe. I do love the pumpkin carvings :)

[Connie]

Nice. Made me feel like I'm also experiencing halloween in this desserted place, lol! loved the photo of sunset in ottertail lake, so peaceful and also the Perfect Fall in Ottertail Lake. Thanks! Felt somehow relaxed in the middle of tons of workloads to do, lol.

[Tiner]

Gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos of mid-America!

[Sarah]

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Thanks for the pictures Ted. This is my favorite season; some colors here but nothing quite like MN. Really miss it.

[Missy]

Wonderful Photos
Ted - You never cease to amaze me! These photos and your appreciation of autumn in Minnesota are wonderful. What a fabulous idea for your blogging friends around the world.

[Gail]

I am just now discovering your blog. The photos are beautiful