Her face says it all!
The NE community always looks forward to the annual Northeast Minneapolis Dog Parade. They gather at the Historic Main Street Park where there are dog treats, samples and activities. After about 30 minutes, they line up and walk the neighborhood. Below are a few photos that I captured for Steven Scott Management and The M on Hennepin.
©Tracy Blowers
Have you been to the awesome camper cabins at Whitetail Woods Regional Park?
The best part is that Whitetail Woods Regional Park is only 40 minutes from the Twin Cities and yet, you feel like you are 1000 miles away.
There are only three cabins so they book up quickly on the weekends. There is more availability during the week and if you plan ahead.
The cabins sleep six, are very clean, and well kept. They have heat and would be a gorgeous winter getaway. The trails for hiking, walking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing are literally right outside your door. They are very spacious with a beautiful deck that looks out over the towering pines.
We only stayed for one night and I was worried that it would feel like a lot of work for such a short amount of time. I was completely wrong! We loved the whole experience and felt so relaxed. It was a good reminder that even one night away is so good for the soul. We had plenty of time to hike, take photos, grill an amazing dinner and watch the Minnesota Vikings (oh yes we did! There is great wifi for streaming). Then we were blessed with a beautiful sunset. There is nothing better than spending all day and night outdoors!
The next morning we had coffee and breakfast over the open fire, a couple hours of hammock time, and a lovely walk. This sunrise!
We will definitely stay here again. If you’ve been there, let me know your thoughts. If you haven’t and are looking for a cool place to camp close to the Twin Cities, I would check it out.
My reminders and takeaways from this trip…..
Keep it simple.
One night away in Mother Nature’s arms is the best medicine.
Treat yourself…
xo
Another great spot to enjoy peace and quiet in the Twin Cities is Two Pony Pizza Farm.
I had the honor of shooting the Guthrie Theater Rockin’ the Boat Gala in June. It was such a beautiful evening and fun to see the Guthrie transformed for the event. Here are a few of my favorite shots!
The best part of travel is discovering something new. A new place, a breathtaking view, meeting a new friend, tasting different local food, or even challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone to experience a new feeling.
The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board started the “Tag Responsibly, Keep Jackson Hole Wild” campaign after people started geotagging their photos with specific locations on social media.
Not only is this campaign good for the environment, but it’s also good for us.
With social media and specific tags, don’t you think it takes the adventure out of traveling? Planning, researching, and asking questions is all part of the fun. When we talk to the locals, they always give us recommendations and we invariably meet hikers on the trails and exchange ideas. It’s great to look at social for inspiration and ideas but does it have to be an exact spot?
Let’s not lose our sense of wonder. If you’re only focusing on getting to that one specific location, the one that you’ve already seen a million pictures of on social, you’ll miss out on the surprises. You’ll miss the moments that can take change you forever.
It’s also good for safety reasons, many of the epic views that you see on social media, the person trained to get to whether hiking, biking, skiing, etc.
Let’s all help to keep it wild…
so we can enjoy these views for years to come…
You can learn more at www.visitjacksonhole.com
Devils Tower National Monument offers so many perspectives.
It’s America’s first national monument established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt. There are many theories about how the tower was created. Most believe it was formed 65 million years ago as volcanic magma and lava cooled. You can learn more about the history of the tower and how the columns formed at the National Park Service site. Other resources listed below.
Traveling from the Twin Cities, Devils Tower is approximately 680 miles. It’s a perfect stop as you drive west or a short distance for a fun family vacation. The KOA is located at the base of the tower. They offer a full-service restaurant, a huge gift shop with lots of sweet treats, a heated outdoor pool, and hayrides. There is an outdoor nightly viewing of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (which was filmed at the site).
The campground is located on the Belle Fourche River surrounded by the beautiful Black Hills of Wyoming. We stayed in one of the camper cabins right on the river.
Devils Tower KOA also offers tent sites, RV sites and a park model cabin that sleeps 6.
The sites are spacious so even though we were there during Sturgis, we felt like we had our own space. They have nice picnic tables and firepits located next to each cabin. The shower houses were clean and convenient. There are laundry facilities and free WiFi if needed.
There is so much to do including hiking, climbing and wildlife viewing. We were fortunate to see whitetail deer roaming through the campground.
The Devils Tower Trading Post is across the street from the campground. They offer tons of souvenirs, an old fashioned ice cream parlor, and an awesome deck to view the tower.
Make sure to catch the tower at sunrise, it changes to a beautiful golden color.
In the same year that Theodore Roosevelt established Devils Tower, he authorized the Antiquities Act, giving the President the power to designate national monuments. I’m so thankful for his vision of protecting our nation’s land and history.
Our National Parks need our support and advocacy. Every little bit counts! I got this shirt from Parks Project. Visit their site to shop or for volunteer opportunities.
©Tracy Blowers
Resources
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. – Hans Hofmann
This week I’m continuing to focus on keeping it simple.
When our mind is cluttered, it’s almost impossible to be creative or to know what we truly want. When we don’t know what we want, we get pushed around like a pinball in a machine instead of intentionally doing what feels right. When that happens, we get out of alignment with ourselves and that’s when anxiety kicks in.
Give yourself time to clear your mind, even if it’s 10 minutes in your backyard.
XO