Hearts in Hawai'i
Our 2024 Minnesota State Parks Trip--Day 3
6/12/2024
State Park #11--Frontenac State Park
After our usual breakfast to fuel ourselves for the hiking demands of the coming day, we headed toward Frontenac State Park, another park located on the Mississippi River (there are three; besides Frontenac there is also John Latsch and Great River Bluffs).
There are a few trails in this 2,600 acre state park with outstanding views of Lake Pepin. The Lower and Upper Bluffside trails are very hilly and, from what we later learned, somewhat difficult due to the slope of the trail. Our initial plan was to hike the Upper Bluffside Trail with its views of the Mississippi River and a trail which leads you down to the Lake Pepin shore. We decided to instead stay on the paved Riverside Trail which runs parallel to the Bluffside trails and just above. The Riverside Trail was an easy and enjoyable one albeit with limited views of Lake Pepin but the woods on this trail are beautiful.
Mississippi River
Similar view
Riverview Trail
Spur trail to the Upper Bluffside Trail
Near the end of the Riverview Trail
We had considered checking out the nearby John Latsch State Park which had only one trail, requiring climbing about 300 stairs to one of the best if not the best overlooks of the Mississippi River. We should have driven there and at least checked out the trail but we were fairly certain it wasn't a trail we would want to deal with. Not today, at least.
Our decision to stay away from John Latsch was a good one as we arrived back in Rochester just ahead of a strong thunderstorm.
One of the clerks working the registration desk recommended the Fiesta Cafe & Bar as we were in the mood for good Mexican food. When it comes to this cuisine, there have been only two restaurants which I had wanted to visit more than once; the Hacienda del Sol (now closed) in Duluth and Pedro's Grill & Cantina (in Cloquet but now also in Superior). My standard for good Mexican food (let's be honest here and call it Tex-Mex, okay?) was high. The Fiesta didn't meet that standard.
But first, Siri sent us to the strip mall where it's located. Once there we drove the length of the mall and found no such place. I called the restaurant and was (probably accidentally) hung up on. I called back and was told it was "next to Burger King". No, it wasn't. In fact it was on the opposite side of North Broadway Avenue. So I looked up the address on the map program and it sent us in the correct location. Finally Patty saw it from Broadway Avenue. It was on the end of the strip mall, not visible from fron of the mall. What a pain!
After going through this crap to get there, the food underwhelmed. I ordered a Mexican Pizza; if you remember the Zona Rosa Restaurant in the Twin Ports, you likely remember how good their version was. This version was not. It wasn't bad, it was just sort of bland. But their Chori Queso was excellent! Patty ordered the Taco Salad and said it was "okay". This is Patty-speak for "Wouldn't order it again". Service was friendly and prompt, at least, and we were full when we left.
Chori Queso Dip at the Fiesta Cafe
Mexican Pizza at the Fiesta Cafe
Patty's Taco Salad at the Fiesta Cafe
As usual, out by 10:30 p.m.
Previous: 6/11/2024--Our 2024 Minnesota State Parks Trip--Day 2
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