Joe Mauer Stares Longingly at Closed Paul Bunyan Land

Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer looked wistfully out the window of a charter bus on Thursday, and shared the reason with his fellow passengers.

"We just drove past Paul Bunyan Land, and it's closed for the season.  Kind of a bummer, I guess."

Mauer and other past and present Twins players/coaches are on the northern leg of the team's Twins Caravan tour.

The family amusement park, which moved from its original Baxter location to a plot of land six miles east of Brainerd on Highway 18, is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

"My summers are usually busy LOL," said the former MVP.  "So I can't really make it to up to Brainerd like when I was a kid.  Those rides are pretty neat."

Mauer was especially disappointed that the giant Paul Bunyan statue was inaccessible.

"So, you walk in the park, minding your own business and holding Mom's hand, when this huge Paul Bunyan says your name.  It's so cool, but kinda scary when you're not expecting it.  I think Jake (Mauer, Joe's older brother) wet his pants the first time we were there.

"Mom says I'm not supposed to tease Jake like that, but sometimes I still do."