Minnesota B&B Blog » Biking

Fall colors peak soon in Lanesboro, MN

marvineggert — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:37:58 +0000

Cool, crisp nights are upon us and the maples are starting to show their fall colors in South East Minnesota. It looks like colors should peak around Oct 8-15 and we could get 3 good weeks of color in October. It is time for you to book a fall foliage tour to Lanesboro.

Fall colors in the Root River Valley

During the week is a great time to visit. The Root River bike trail is quieter. All you can hear is the wind rustling in the trees and the crunch of new fallen leaves under your bike tires. MBBA member inns are ready to welcome you to our pretty corner of the state. Hillcrest Hide-Away B&B, Habberstad House, Anna Vs, Scandinavian Inn, and Berwood Hill Inn each offer unique lodging, bountiful breakfasts and welcoming innkeepers.

Lanesboro offers more that bike touring. You can visit the Amish community nearby. The Amish will soon be harvesting corn for winter storage. You can see the corn shocks drying in the fields. The Amish bakery is one of my favorite stops. Fresh, glazed donuts, cashew crunch, home made bread, and apple turnovers are just a sampling of what you will find.

Fillmore County Rolling Farmland

As you visit the Amish, tour many of the ridge roads that offer mile after mile of beautiful fall foliage throughout Fillmore county.

The Commonweal Theatre is performing two plays this month: “Little Shop of Horrors” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” Both plays have been lauded as outstanding performances. Plan your fall leaf color tour to Lanesboro: “a quirky combination of the outdoors and the arts.”

Hummingbird Headquarters

embracingpines — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:57:58 +0000

The hummingbirds are at their entertaining finest! They are here to entertain you while you are enjoying your breakfast on the deck. You will not disturb them and they will allow you to photograph them, however, they will not sit still and smile!

They are waiting for you at Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast where you will find a place to relax in the woods…..on the river……across the road from the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail!

Paul Bunyan Bike Trail Opening

embracingpines — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:04:10 +0000

The work is finally done and the signs are up! That Paul Bunyan Trail is ready to ride.

: The entire trail opens May 29

The last link of the Paul Bunyan Trail will be open for riding for the Memorial Day weekend. The long awaited completion of this trail has finally arrived. You will find Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast on the trail and open for business with the new shuttle service that is available. The shuttle will be able to pick up your belongings and move them to the next destination, or if you are wanting to ride out and be brought back, or taken out and ride home that can all be done. Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast is very near the crossroads of the Heartland Trail and the Paul Bunyan Trail, so you will be able to ride out 4 different directions without riding the same part of the trail any direction. We serve a great breakfast, and treats when you return from your ride. We will try to accommodate your plan.

Paul Bunyan Trail, Opening Soon

embracingpines — Thu, 20 May 2010 06:45:00 +0000

This is the last of the pavement being carefully smoothed as the Paul Bunyan Trail nears its completion near Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast near Walker, MN. There are signs to post and edges to smooth, and we will have the long awaited opening of this trail. Watch here for the lastest news. Anticipated opening is scheduled for June 1……..stay tuned!

Paul Bunyan Bike Trail by Embracing Pines B & B

embracingpines — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:03:22 +0000

I haven’t taken any pictures today, but imagine this…….the trucks…….big trucks are hauling sand, and packing, more sand and packing and they are scheduled to start paving tomorrow! The Paul Bunyan Bike Trail will go past Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast. What more can you ask…….than pie, a sauna, and a place to relax in the woods by the river, after a nice long ride on a newly paved trail?
Watch for updates reguarding the trail, and the shuttle packages. …..and pictures!

The Paul Bunyan Bike Trail Update

embracingpines — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:04:34 +0000

Sand, Sand, more Sand..................on the Paul Bunyan Trail

: Looking toward the bridge over the Kabekona River on the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail.

More sand on the Paul Bunyan Trail getting ready to be paved

The Paul Bunyan Bike Trail is yet another step closer to the long awaited completion. These pictures were taken on the trail about 500 feet from Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast near Walker, MN. When completed the trail will cross the Heartland Trail so you will be able to ride for 4 different directions without moving your vehicle when you start at Embracing Pines! Watch for updates as they are available.

Minnesota Fall Color Get Away

marvineggert — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:46:26 +0000

Root River Valley Fall Colors

Labor Day has come and gone. Cool, crisp nights are upon us and the first maples are starting to show their fall colors.

South East Minnesota beckons you with vistas and valleys, hardwood forests, and plentiful wild life.

Fileds awaiting harvest

Farms form a patchwork quilt of crops awaiting harvest on the rolling country side. The Amish dry their corn the old fashioned way with rows of corn shocks standing tall to catch the fall breezes.

Bike Trail Bridge over Root River

Lanesboro, Minnesota and the Root River Trail offer an excellent venue for enjoying the fall colors. Freshly fallen leaves crunch under your bike tires as you ride under the fall canopy bordered by bluffs on one side and the Root River on the other.

After an enjoyable day of biking, savor dinner in one of Lanesboro’s fine restaurants and then take in an evening at the Commonweal Theatre. The theatre features 2 plays this fall season: “The Odd Couple” and “The Rainmaker”. Shows are performed Thursday through Monday each week.

Lanesboro has lodging options suitable to any taste from hotels, to inns, and bed and breakfasts. Your bed and breakfasts hosts are there to help you get the most out of your stay. Hillcrest Hide-Away B&B offers mid-week special rates. Make Lanesboro your destination for your fall color get away.

Paul Bunyan Bike Trail, Walker, MN nears completion

embracingpines — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:44:02 +0000

The crew is working on finishing the last segment of the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail.

The Paul Bunyan Bike Trail is now being prepped. If the weather holds, it will be paved this fall. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, it will be paved in spring. The trail is located directly across County #38 from Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast in Walker, MN.

Lanesboro: Minnesota’s Bed & Breakfast Capital

marvineggert — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:13:50 +0000

The quaint town of Lanesboro, nestled in the valley of southeastern Minnesota, has been known for its bike trails and rhubarb for years, but this week, the small town received another designation.

Sen. Sharon Ropes and Rep. Greg Davids present the B&B Capital proclamation to Lanesboro

On Monday July 6, state Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes and state Rep. Greg Davids officially declared the city the “Minnesota’s Bed and Breakfast Capital.” The Minnesota Senate bestowed the honor in a resolution near the end of the 2009 session.

With 15 bed and breakfasts in Lanesboro, and the immediate surrounding area, there is a great display of history and architecture, including Victorian homes, Craftsman homes, and new homes. Innkeepers extend their Minnesota hospitality to today’s traveler and offer a unique experience in their comfortable and nationally recognized B&Bs.

Historic Downtown Lanesboro

Lanesboro’s entire downtown district is on the National Register of Historic places. The downtown has been revitalized; the arts flourish, gift shops intrigue, and restaurants satisfy a variety of tastes. The Cornucopia Art Center features original art works from more than 70 artists in the region. The Commonweal Theatre Company performs in new 3 million dollar state of the art facility that opened in 2007.

Lanesboro is near one of the largest Old Order Amish settlements in America. The rolling country side offers an ideal location for their lifestyle. Educational tours are available to see the Amish as they really live, to see the items they produce (baskets, quilts, furniture and crafts). The Amish tours offer an appreciation for the Amish way of life.

Lanesboro is in the center of Minnesota’s Fillmore County where there is only 1 stop light in the entire county. The pace in Lanesboro is quieter and slower. It is a perfect place to relax. Lanesboro is 2 1/2 hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul, 4 1/2 hours from Milwaukee, 5 1/2 hours from Chicago, and 4 1/2 hours from DesMoines. Visit www.lanesboro.com to learn more about our special town.

Mesabi Biking Trail Gap Completed

bct — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:41:21 +0000

Great news along the Mesabi Bike Trai! The troublesome one and one-half mile gap between in Morning Glory Bed and Breakfast in Grand Rapid and Mitchell-Tappen House B&B in Hibbing is finally paved. Riders are able now to travel the 39.3 miles stretch between the two B&Bs along a non-stop asphalt biking path.

From Hibbing the trail continues on another 43.7 miles to Giants Ridge Resort passing mine-pit lakes, through rock cuts and the many historic town of Minnesota’s famous Iron Range. In addition to the B&Bs overnight accommodations are available in hotels and quaint Inns all along the trail. For more, see Lodge to Lodge Biking.