Have you ever discovered a place so beautiful that has been right under your nose for a long time? Recently I visited a place in my neighborhood and all I could think of was, "why now?" What have I been missing out on? For some of you guys that don't know, I live in a small town in Minnesota called St. Cloud, where I am currently attending school. While there isn't a lot to do in this town during the summer, it does have a hidden gem that makes it very unique: the Quarry Park and Nature Preserve.
St. Cloud is so dead during the summer because everyone leaves for vacation. Looking for a way to make the best of summer, my girlfriends and I decided to take a trip to the Quarry, which we all heard about but never visited. After being there I immediately realized why people love to talk about the Quarry. The park has a lot to offer if you're someone who is into outdoors activities. I came across a bike path, a rock climbing area, hiking trails, scientific areas, and two swimming quarries (one is 116 feet deep and the other is 40 feet deep). There is a panic area as well.
My friends and I didn't really do any activities because we just wanted to tour the park and appreciate the scenery on our first visit. We walked around and took pictures, and I was so impressed by how beautiful and peaceful the park was. While I was disappointed with myself for having never visited this magical place, I will definitely be coming back to Quarry Park more often before my summer comes to an end. I guess you can say I've found my getaway spot for the summer, and I am excited to explore what the Quarry has to offer.
