Minnesota Tourism

C M Y K PAGE E5 winnipegfreepress.com TRAVEL WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 E 5 G ARRETSON, S.D. — After a brutal win- ter in this northern climate, Alan and Patricia Zwart were more than ready for early-season camp- ing, but spring has not been particularly kind, forcing them to hold off until May. "We usually try to get out in April, but the weather was just too cool," Alan Zwart said, as the couple enjoyed a recent sunny day at Palisades State Park near the South Dakota-Minnesota border. "This is our first camping trip of the year." The nasty cold spells and blizzards of this past winter have made people more eager than usual to go camping, said Doug Hofer, director of South Dakota's Division of Parks and Recrea- tion. "Camping reservations are up this year. Campers are beginning to show up in parks around the state, and it's clear everyone is tired of winter and ready to enjoy time outdoors with family and friends," Hofer said. "Our state parks are truly beginning to blossom, both in terms of use and the annual green-up from a long winter." In addition to being home to some of the national park system's most famous destinations, including Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park, South Dakota has 56 state parks and recreation areas, ranging from historic parks such as Fort Sisse- ton to Custer State Park, known for excellent wildlife viewing. Many of South Dakota's state parks, such as Oakwood Lakes and Lake Louise, offer various types of water recrea- tion in addition to camping and other activities. Arriving recently in a rented motorhome, Helen and Adrean Van- doremalen of Helvoirt, in the Nether- lands, were sightseeing on a trip from Chicago to Denver. It's the second time the couple has visited the United States by way of its many campgrounds. Travelling via motorhome allows them to stop wherever they wish and get a better view of places that are off the beaten path, Helen said. "We have no obligation to be any- where. We can just go where we want," she explained. The European couple planned to visit several of South Dakota's popular attractions, including Badlands, Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. The Zwarts, of nearby Larchwood, Iowa, load their fifth-wheel camper and head for area campgrounds about 10 times each year, spending a couple of days on each outing away from home. The leisure time is very relax- ing, Patricia said. "We usually grill burgers one night and brats the next night," Alan added. "That keeps things simple." Like thousands of others who enjoy camping each year in this state, they like to ride their bikes, hike on trails and walk among campsites. They often have their grandchildren in tow. "It's a good chance to get to know them better because there are no dis- tractions," Patricia said. Palisades State Park is popular with campers, photographers, picnickers, rock climbers and hikers because of its unique Sioux quartzite formations. Its 15-metre cliffs tower over Split Rock Creek. The quartzite deposits are estimated to be 1.2 billion years old. In 1886, silver was discovered in the creek, drawing hundreds of mining claims. But the silver proved to be of low quality, and the claims were quick- ly dropped. This tiny state park was later developed to preserve the area for the public. It has just 34 campsites, six small cabins and a group lodge. — The Associated Press With8coursesand22hotels nexttotheTwinCities... we're above par! © Explore MinnesotaTourism Photo 1. BrightwoodHillsGolf brightwoodhillsgolf 2. Bunker Hills Golf Club www.bunkerhillsgolf.com 3. Chomonix Golf Course www.chomonixgolf.com 4. Greenhaven Golf Course greenhavengolfcourse.com 5. Island Lake Golf Center www.islandlakegolf.com 6. Majestic Oaks Golf Club majesticoaksgc.com 7. TPC Twin Cities www.tpc.com/tpc-twin-cities 8. Victory Links Golf Course victorylinks.nscsports.org www.tcgateway.com SHOPPOR TUNITY! THE ULTIMA TE NO W OFFERING COMPLIMENT AR Y SHUTTLE SERVICE HILTONGARDENINN 1975RahncliffCourt Eagan, MN 55122 651-686-4605 www.hiltoneagan.com HOLIDAYINNEXPRESS 1950 Rahncliff Court Eagan, MN 55122 651-681-9266 www.hieagan.com STAYBRIDGESUITES 4675 Rahncliff Road Eagan, MN 55122 651-994-7810 www.sseagan.com (OPENING AUGUST 201 4) TO THE MALL OF AMERICA AND TWIN CITIES OUTLETS EAGAN MENTION THIS AD FOR FREE MALL OFAMERICA COUPON BOOK (A $10 VALUE) ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS Chris Sorenson of Council Bluffs, Iowa (left), Bryce Lemke, 10, of Brandon, S.D., and Molly Lemke of Sioux Falls, S.D. (right) crossing Split Rock Creek in Palisades State Park in South Dakota. By Joe Kafka After a long, hard winter, they're setting up in state's parks Patricia Zwart of Larchwood, Iowa, reads a book while her husband relaxes next to their camper in Palisades State Park in South Dakota near the Minnesota border. Continued from previous page E_05_May-17-14_FT_01.indd E5 E_05_May-17-14_FT_01.indd E5 5/15/14 10:57:56PM 5/15/14 10:57:56PM

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