In just a few short days, we will be coming together with family and friends for Thanksgiving, a time for us to recognize how gifted we are to have those close to us in our lives. And of course to eat some really good food. Unlike many others during this time, we here at the Herald will still have to go to work the following day, but for so many others Nov. 29 is open and free and we ask you to consider maybe taking a walk. Traditionally, the Minnesota Department of Natural resources has invited the public to its state parks the day after Thanksgiving, free of charge. That means no day pass or annual pass required to get you through the boundaries and out enjoying nature. The great thing for us, is the convenience of state parks open to us within short drives. Here in Mower County, a quick drive to LeRoy gets us to Lake Louise State Park. A short 20 minute drive west on Interstate 90 gets us to Albert Lea and Myre-Big Island State Park. Choose to drive a little further and you can reach Rice Lake State Park near Owatonna, Sakatah Lake State Park near Faribault, Whitewater State Park not far from Altura and Menneopa State Mark near Mankato. This is an all inclusive opportunity that just requires a little bit of gas money to spend the day with your partner, family and friends or maybe just by yourself. You will get wonderful vistas, views of lakes and trees and plenty of trees in unique settings that invite the hiker to get outside. And let us remind you that to experience the full enjoyment of the opportunity, put your phones away. Take in nature in all of its glory, sites and sounds. Listen to the birds, keep your eyes out for deer, turkeys and other wildlife and simply enjoy shutting off the distracting world we’ve created for a little bit. As Laura Ingalls Wilder once said: “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” The post Our Opinion: Take advantage of free entry into area state parks appeared first on Austin Daily Herald.