What is your favorite Minnesota campground?

Last weekend we camped at Frontenac State Park. The crazy thing is that we were forced into it. 😉 We were going to the Willie Nelson concert at Treasure Island Casino and couldn’t find one hotel with availability within 30 miles! Of course, it ended up being perfect. Even just one night of camping revives the soul.

We loved all the trails that looked over Lake Pepin and the beautiful prairies.

We were also super impressed with the cleanliness of the campground and restrooms/showers. They have the cutest store where you check-in and service couldn’t have been better. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The park has so many great activities too for adults and children. You can see the list by clicking HERE.

Mostly we loved this campground because of the location. It is less than 90 minutes from the Twin Cities. There is a ton of exploring to do in the area and you are so close to Red Wing if you need/want to run into town.

We definitely will be going back to Frontenac State Park. We only scratched the surface there and it is one of our goals to camp more. If you have a favorite Minnesota campground, please let me know in comments!

One last fun note. The next day we went to the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, WI. It was incredible!! If you love blue grass, you have to check it out next year. As we walked in by all the campers & tents, it looked so crazy fun! The line-up of bands was fantastic and the overall relaxed vibe was so nice. It was very family friendly with kids playing and everyone just chilled out in the grass listening. I was SUPER excited that they had wine too from the Autumn Harvest Winery & Orchard instead of only offering beer. (Which of course, Terry loved! His favorite was the Lager of the Lakes from Bell’s Brewery)

Cheers to Minnesota #OnlyinMN weekends!!!

© What Stirs Your Soul Media

Have you ever been foraging? Me either! At least not since I was a little girl so when Eventyr presented the opportunity, I went for it.

Eventyr is a new platform created to connect people looking for outdoor adventures to people who have the knowledge, experience and skills to share or teach others. They are all about getting you outside and viewing life from a new angle. They inspire you to live your story and check boxes off your bucket list.

I was so excited for a day in the woods, to connect with a long time friend, Jo and my new friend, Greta. Greta also wrote about her foraging adventures. Visit her Pickles Travel Blog by clicking HERE.

We met at Sakatah Lake State Park to search for the elusive morel mushroom. Our guide for the day was mushroom identification expert, Mike Kempenich, the Gentleman Forager.

It was an incredible day! I felt like a little girl again. It brought back so many memories of growing up, especially walks and road trips with my Dad. My Dad is a science teacher and every time we were outside, he would take the opportunity to teach us. The different plants, trees, birds, tracks, rock formations….you name it. I miss those simpler times. Being out in the woods, off the beaten path brought back that exhilarating feeling of freedom. It definitely filled my soul.

 

I learned so much from the Gentleman Forager and not just about mushrooms. He has over 40 years of foraging experience and is passionate about wild edibles. He offers classes, weekend events, guided outings and wild food dinners. Click HERE to visit his website.

After our day of foraging, we were fortunate to go to Harriet Brasserie and have Chef Fernando Silva cook our harvest. It was ridiculously good!!!

So here is the best part of the story. Do you believe things happen for a reason or everything is just a big coincidence?

Mike Kempenich’s (Gentleman Forager) Dad and my Dad were best friends. My Dad was his parent’s best man. Mike and I have never met and I just happened to recognize his last name from all the times that my Dad talked about his Dad.

I do believe things happen for a reason, just like the book When God Winks. I’m not totally sure why yet but I know our paths crossed for a reason. 🙂

“Morel” of the story – LIVE YOUR STORY! Get outside, go on adventures, learn something new, meet new people.

Find what stirs your soul….

Visit Eventyr’s website at eventyr.com for ideas!

xo

All photos – ©usoulphoto