Over the last couple weeks, journalists from WCCO and KARE 11 in the Twin Cities have visited the Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls area to share with viewers the beauty and recreational opportunities on and around the St. Croix River.
WCCO‘s Jason DeRusha and Matt Brickman spent two days and a night in the region, producing the station’s second “Goin’ to the Lake” segments of the season.
They visited Fawn-Doe-Rosa petting zoo, rode the Taylors Falls Princess paddlewheeler, and kayaked the river.
“No better way to experience the breathtaking nature here in the St. Croix Valley than right on that kayak,” DeRusha says.
The reports featured interviews with Deb Ryun of the St. Croix River Association and Julie Galonska of the National Park Service.
The pair were also active on Twitter while visiting the Valley. Here are a few of their posts:
Overwhelmed by the power of nature at Interstate Park in Taylors Falls! pic.twitter.com/5fjXfkycxa
— Jason DeRusha (@DeRushaJ) July 18, 2018
Checking out the Bake Oven at Interstate Park in Taylors Falls, a 30 foot glacial pot hole. #GTTL pic.twitter.com/SYKYotLPs8
— Matt Brickman (@Matt_Brickman) July 18, 2018
Sunrise over St. Croix #WCCO #MyMorning #GTTL pic.twitter.com/sTtZYOfs2M
— Jason DeRusha (@DeRushaJ) July 19, 2018
Obligatory sunrise shot. #GTTL pic.twitter.com/a73W4JomC0
— Matt Brickman (@Matt_Brickman) July 19, 2018
This is a beautiful shot, @Matt_Brickman and @DeRushaJ pic.twitter.com/7r2HzAgLNI
— Heather Brown (@heatherbrown21) July 19, 2018
Turkey vultures are circling. I can only assume they’re here for the death of my career. pic.twitter.com/aImTLQAjEf
— Matt Brickman (@Matt_Brickman) July 19, 2018
Lunch time pic.twitter.com/SBWpiCfThd
— Jason DeRusha (@DeRushaJ) July 19, 2018
Super dad @Matt_Brickman FaceTiming with his sons while on the road for @WCCO ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/NpyDLVvyMt
— Jason DeRusha (@DeRushaJ) July 20, 2018
Hard to tell is Grant has the best or worst job this morning. Definitely the wettest. #GTTL pic.twitter.com/Afa1InASIo
— Matt Brickman (@Matt_Brickman) July 20, 2018
KARE 11 photojournalist Ellery McCardle spent a day at Minnesota Interstate Park a week earlier. In a segment called “That’s So Minnesota,” she praised the beauty and said repeatedly she didn’t want to leave.
“The views were captivating and I didn’t want to get off of the rocky cliffs overlooking the St. Croix River,” she said.”
She too posted a few photos on Twitter while visiting:
https://twitter.com/ElleryTV/status/1017414897750011905
Happy Monday from Interstate State Park! We’re LIVE on @kare11 Sunrise showing you the great views at this park. pic.twitter.com/VXJ7G1V69N
— Ellery McCardle (@ElleryTV) July 16, 2018
What a view, what a place. I didn't want to leave. I'll show you tomorrow morning on @kare11 Sunrise. #photostop pic.twitter.com/hfd43UCjzv
— Ellery McCardle (@ElleryTV) July 16, 2018