DOT Launches Nationwide Crackdown On Drunk Drivers
The holiday season brings with it office parties, seasonal celebrations and trips to see family and friends. For many people, that means having a few drinks. The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to make sure these revelers stay out of the driver’s seat.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Tuesday at the Arlington County Courthouse a nationwide crackdown during the holiday season. The effort will involve a combination of enforcement and reminders that police and other agencies will be out in force over the holidays.
Sculpture Gardens in Minnesota: Kid-Friendly Art Museums
Sculpture gardens present some of the most accessible of art options for families; instead of a quiet atmosphere filled with ancient treasures, children can roam about the artwork, exclaiming their delight. For those who enjoy seeing art outdoors, Minnesota has several sculpture gardens that families can enjoy.
Perhaps the most widely known is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden next to the Walker Art Center near downtown Minneapolis. Home of the “cherry on the spoon,” this park includes many other sculptures in various shapes, sizes, and media, as well as a garden walk and an indoor conservatory of tropical plants. Children will like wandering the grassy areas of this large park and seeing the variety of artwork as they round each bend.
Spoonbridge and Cherry at Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
North of the Twin Cities on U.S. Highway 8, the Franconia Sculpture Park is a work in progress, and chances are decent that you might encounter an artist at work if you visit. The sculptures here include many reclaimed materials, such as a basketball court and tractor. The mown paths among the prairie grasses and flowers take visitors past the creations, but kids will likely want to spend most of their time at the sculpture that is a useable playground.
Playground Sculpture at Franconia Sculpture Park, Minnesota
On the other side of the state, the tiny town of Arco sits near the South Dakota border in the midst of farm fields and prairie lands. Arco has its own sculpture garden of sorts, a “scenic rock garden” in the city park which borders a lake just outside of town. Here, replicas of the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Bell made out of rocks found in the area are the highlights of the stop. A drive into town yields a look at the rock building that was formerly a gas station, done in the same style by the same artist. If you enjoy the off-beat or quirky, you’ll like a peek at the Arco sculptures.
Statue of Liberty Replica at Scenic Rock Garden in Arco, Minnesota
While art enthusiasts will enjoy the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Weisman Art Center, and other quality art museums in Minnesota, youngsters will be drawn to the larger-than-life artwork in these sculpture gardens in the state.
Related: Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Photo credits: the author
Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel at Travels with Children.
New Destination Guide Website With a Twist
“Travel guides for major tourist destinations are a dime a dozen on the Internet. We focus on the not-so-major destinations… the true undiscovered gems!” says the new website, 511Destinations.com.
511destinations.com is a different kind of travel guide. While most vacation guides on the Internet concentrate on the major tourist destinations, this new website presents smaller market and off the beaten path destinations… with a twist.
Rather than being bombarded with local information to sift thru, each 511destination is a snapshot. Where to stay, eat, go and how to get around are the basics, presented in a clean, well designed layout with eye-catching graphics and great functionality.
What’s more, users are encouraged to build their own destination guide simply by submitting a brief overview. Right now, there are no limits. You can be a proud resident that wants to tell the world about your town, a traveler that’s itching to share a destination they’ve discovered, or a business looking to promote themselves via a little local information.
It’s a great little website loaded with information that you often just can’t find anywhere else. 511destinations.com is also built to accommodate viewing on smartphones and mobile devices!
Minnesota Grown: Where to Find Fresh, Local Foods in Minnesota
As I was in my kitchen up to my elbows in apple juice that will become jelly tomorrow, travel was the last thing on my mind. At this time of year, it’s hard to find time to run for groceries, much less think of something fun to do.
But then I started thinking about grapes, and how nice it would be to have some grapes so that I could make grape jelly along with my apple jelly. We had nary a grape on our decades-old vine this year, so if I want grapes, I’m going to have to beg from my neighbors, or find a place to buy some.
One might think it could be difficult to find a place to buy some grapes for making jelly, but in Minnesota we have it easy. We have the Minnesota Grown Directory, available in both print and online formats, to direct us to farms that sell grapes or apples or meat or honey or other farm-to-market items in the state.
With just a few clicks of the mouse at minnesotagrown.com, I’d found five places within a reasonable driving distance that sell grapes, some for wine, some for juice and eating at the table, as well as contact information to learn about pricing and availability.
I’ve used Minnesota Grown before, often in the fall when looking for a new orchard to visit. It was through the Minnesota Grown Directory that I found Holmberg Orchard and others that have become favorites for family activities as well as sweet fall pickings. If I want to find a pumpkin patch for the kids, I turn to Minnesota Grown. Farmers’ markets, CSAs, Christmas tree farms, and more are also included in the directory.
The free print version of the Minnesota Grown Directory is updated each spring, and this year marks its 30th anniversary of being a resource for those looking for fresh, local food. If you’re looking for a new source of good food, or even a fun family fall outing in Minnesota, Minnesota Grown should be your first stop.
Photo credit: minnemom on flickr
Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel at Travels with Children.
Road Construction This Week on I-90 in Minnesota
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Road construction this week on I-90, Hwy. 14
Winona Daily News Construction includes resurfacing eastbound I-90 lanes and ramps. The work is part of an ongoing resurfacing project. The eastbound I-90 exit and entrance ramps at the exit for state Hwy. 43 north toward Winona remains closed. … Eastbound I-90 construction from Hwy. 43 to Hwy. 76 begins May 25 |
I-90 Bridge Project in Austin Complete
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Interstate 90 bridge project in Austin complete
Austin Herald In addition, all lane closures on I-90 have been removed. Lunda Construction is the primary contractor for this $12.8 million project, which is partially … |
Minnesota I-90 Projects Making Progress
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I-90 projects making progress
Post-Bulletin Kammueler said a section of Interstate 35 will see construction, along with a stretch of I-90 between Minnesota Highway 63 and Olmsted County Road 16, … |
Changes Expected on Minnesota I-90
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Changes expected on I-90
Austin Herald Motorists will soon encounter traffic pattern changes as part of the Interstate 90 “Bridges of Mower County” construction project through Austin. … |
Construction Expected on Minnesota I-90
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Construction expected on I-90
Albert Lea Tribune The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced last week that motorists traveling westbound on I-90 between Mower County Road 19 and Highway … |
Summer Road Construction Season in Minnesota Under Way
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Summer Road Construction Season Under Way
WNMT Major projects include the I-35 rebuild in Duluth, sections of Highway 61 north of Duluth, I-90 bridge work in southeastern Minnesota and I-94 repaving … |