Mom and I explored Gray’s Bay Dam Park on Thanksgiving morning. Our Thanksgiving plans changed, so we had to pack up everything and cook the meal at Gramma’s house. Because Olivia is naughty in the kitchen which makes Gramma nervous, Mom decided to only take me along for the day. She put the bird in the oven and then we went out for our walk.
We always walk when we are out at Gramma’s but we wanted to find some place new to explore. It turns out this park was completed in 2007. The park is at the dam site where Lake Minnetonka and the Minnehaha Creek headwaters meet. The dam is used to control the water flow into the creek.
These rocks I’m standing on are right next to the dam where it opens and closes. Since Mom was kayaking on the creek in 2019, it is interesting for her to see the place that regulates the water flow. My sisters were walking on another trail a couple weeks ago, right next to the creek, just a short distance downstream from the dam.
Although the park is interesting, it is also different. There is a small landing area and a dock, but the walking trail is actually about nine hundred feet of boardwalk above the water. It zigzags back and forth across the creek headwaters.
On the other end of the boardwalk there is a small grassy area, just perfect for a photo. Between the water and the land, there is a lot of marsh type area.
There is also another bridge to a neighborhood that is right across a smaller body of water. It’s correct to say there is a lot of water in this part of town! Basically this park and trail goes from one neighborhood to another, connecting them by going over the water. It’s not a place for a long walk, but it is interesting to visit.
Look! There are swans swimming right off the side of the boardwalk. Mom didn’t have her telephoto lens along, so they are a bit distant.
Along the boardwalk there is a place to sit and rest your paws while looking out over the water. The breeze makes my head furs look quite messy. Mom might be right about me needing a spa visit soon!
Gray’s Bay Dam Park is a fun place to check out, and one only needs about a half hour to cover it all. It is very peaceful, and a good place to get your paws wet when it is swimming weather. If you enjoy finding new places to explore like we do, this one won’t disappoint.
My GBGV Life is joining Living Laughing and Barking in Our Backyard for their Nature Friday blog hop.
Gail and I love exploring new places, and we also love seeing all the different places where our friends in different parts of the world go exploring. It’s the closest we get to travelling right now! Thanks for a great Nature Friday post, and best of luck with the forthcoming spa day…
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
I think I still have two weeks before the spa, so I will look for lots of dirt. Have a great weekend!
We can tell you sure had a good time with just you and Mom. That place sure looks pretty!
I love my mommy and me time and then visiting Gramma too.
What a beautiful place to explore. Thank you for letting me come along.
Have a woof woof day and weekend. My best to your siblings and your mom. ♥
Since so many people are not out and about these days, we are happy to take everyone along with us.
Sounds like fun but how did 4 people cancel on the day of Thanksgiving.
Mom’s brother’s family…they are too worried about covid. It’s alright, we got more food that way.
Looks like a lovely walk!
It was very nice.
What a lovely and peaceful place Gray’s Bay Dam Park is for a trek with your Mom. Kudos to you for your million dollar smile and great posing in each photo. One thing for sure about 2020 is nothing is the same…and I have found being adaptable takes practice. I’m a planner and that has been nearly impossible this year. I know your bird was delicious don’t you just love the aroma of turkey roasting.
Hugs cecilia
Mom is also a planner/organizer, it is even her job, so planning and then having things cancel make her really cranky. Have a great weekend, and hopefully some good leftovers too!
that is a wonderful please we totally agree… and if it is peaceful and quiet we would love to be there with you ;O)
Not much going on there, just some people out for a run or a walk, but not crowded at all.
What a fun day for you, Bailie, and you had your mom all to yourself. What a beautiful spot!
I always enjoy mom and me days, but it is good to be home again with everyone too.
Must be some great smells in that marshland area.
That is the bummer for dogs at this place. On the bridge it is rather boring because we can’t get our noses into anything, just air scenting.
Your mom got some absolutely beautiful pictures of you, Bailie. That dam park (oops!) is really nice with the bridges and boardwalks. What you call marshes we call swamp. Have a wonderful weekend. i will be 7 on Sunday! Happy Birthday to me! XOXO, Sparkle
Happy early birthday to you and congratulations on turning lucky seven, just like me! Those are swamps here too, but most people call them a marsh because it sounds nicer. At least we don’t have gators in there like in Florida! Hope you celebrate big this weekend, let your mom spoil you.
What a pretty place for a walk Bailey…and we really like seeing your furs flying in the breeze!
My furs are a bit out of control, but it doesn’t bother me much.
Over the “river”and old wooden bridge, to Grandmother’s house we go! (I think this is called poetic license)
I got funny colored baby potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes yesterday and today! NO TURKEY WAS FOUND IN OUR HOME! Pork Loin instead this year.
Chablis
Oh dear. Mom loves to make turkey, so we are pretty much guaranteed a bird on Turkey Day.
That was a lovely place to explore, i am so glad you got to go!
Finding new places is always fun. New smells and everything.
You do always find the nicest places to walk!! We bet you really enjoy your alone time with Mom, Bailie. ♥
I do, it is my very favorite time.
That sounds like fun! I’m glad that you had one-on-one day with your mom, Bailie. That’s important, isn’t it?
It is nice to be the whole focus of attention for a while.
It’s nice to get out especially when plans get turned upside down! Our Thanksgiving day was postponed because Mom got sick. We celebrated on Sunday.
I guess your mom felt better pretty quickly which is good. Glad you could still celebrate even a few days late.