Mark returns to Markville

This is about the time of year when Cindy and I like to take the Ranger out on the trails to photograph the leaves. Actually, because of other obligations, we were a little late this year and missed the peak of the color. Still, riding through the woods of northern Wisconsin and Minnesota in the cool of autumn is, well, pretty cool.

The destination today was Markville. Yes, Mark was returning to Markville to see how this little backwoods village in Minnesota was doing. We are able to get to the trail system in Wisconsin from our lake home. After making our way to the nearest town, Danbury, we can pick up the Gandy Dancer . As I understand the meaning of Gandy Dancer, it refers to those who work on railroad tracks. As rail lines have changed over the years, many sections of track were no longer needed and some have been modified to serve as bike, snowmobile, and ATV trails.

Crossing the Saint Croix into Minnesota near Danbury, WI.

A couple of photographs along the Gandy Dancer.

Mark in Markville.

Our destination was the village of Markville, MN. We discovered this “town” a couple of years ago. It has no cafe, no gas station, and no bars. The no bars thing is really strange because bars along the trails in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota are a big thing. We did find remains of a bank building with the date of 1915. There was no post office, but a dropbox and boxes for residents. I should have taken a few more photos in what remains of the town. I am guessing the town was once a stop along the railroad.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.