Solsite Co. Creative

Author: Tracy Blowers

  • Taylors Falls, Minnesota, St. Croix Scenic Boat Tours

    Taylors Falls, Minnesota, St. Croix Scenic Boat Tours

    The Taylors Falls scenic boat tours begin in May! This is a Minnesota must if you love the water, nature, and history. The Taylors Falls boat tours run 7-days a week through October. I recommend visiting each season to see the landscape change. The St. Croix River boat tours are also great for celebrating special events. The tours begin with perfect timing for Mother’s Day!

    Paddlewheel River Boat Tours on the St. Croix River

    The two authentic paddlewheel Taylors Falls excursion boats are the first to be this far upstream since 1924.

    History of the Taylors Falls Paddlewheel Boats

    Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours has operated as a family business since 1906! A little more history from Taylors Falls Boat Tours President, Amy Frischmon:

    The first boat was the Pinafore, a small power boat that carried 8 passengers. In 1910, Carl Muller (Amy’s Great Grandfather) added canoes and row boats for rent. Some canoes were rented in Taylors Falls and were paddled down river, some all the way to Stillwater. Carl would drive the tour boat down the river after a day of tours and bring back the canoes late in the night. This was the start of the Taylors Falls Canoe Rental. Still in existence today, as the Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental.

    Speaking of history, while on the paddlewheel river boat, the captain narrates the tour providing guests with history and more about the rock formations along the river. You will enjoy seeing the world famous Dalles of the St. Croix, and the beautiful cliffs and pinnacles.

    Tip: Arrive early for a charcuterie board and wine on the Red Rock Patio. The Red Rock Patio opened in 2021. It’s a great spot to hang out before or after a boat tour and take in the views. You can also order ahead and have the food waiting onboard. They offer pizzas, sandwiches, pretzels, and soft service ice cream. Plus, watch their calendar for live music events!

    This is such a unique way to see the river and spend the day with family and friends.

    For more Taylors Falls day trip ideas, click HERE.

    Keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

    ©Tracy Blowers

  • Explore Local Together Ep. 2 – St. Croix Valley Itinerary

    Explore Local Together Ep. 2 – St. Croix Valley Itinerary

    Welcome to Explore Local Together Episode 2! We share local gems in Minnesota, the Midwest, and Road-Tripping the USA. Each episode will include five places to explore, interviews, and, of course, TNT random rambles. This week we covered the St. Croix Valley and spending the day in Scandia and Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. Below is the itinerary. We have a great day planned for you!

    LISTEN to the PODCAST

    Spend the Day in St. Croix Valley, Minnesota

    Rustic Roots Winery located about halfway between Stillwater and Taylors Falls on the St. Croix Scenic Byway/HWY 95.

    Rustic Roots Winery has become a weekly adventure for us! We discovered the winery this winter and cannot wait to see what it is like in the summer out on the deck and watching the vines come back to life. While we love their wine, our favorite this winter has been the cider. Their food is fantastic! I really enjoy their dips and soups and Terry is a big fan of the pizza. We also are into the way they serve their charcuterie!

    Try the Airstream Grill in the summer, which features burgers and other snacks.  Rustic Roots Winery also has rotating food trucks on certain days. Check their calendar HERE.

    Shopping in St. Croix Valley

    Shoreline Goods is one mile down HWY 95 from the winery. Opening April 6, 2024! Shoreline Goods is a new shop filled with locally made home goods and soy candles. Creators, Cody and Kenny’s story is about trying something new for fun and then seeing it grow into a business and now storefront! We are so excited for them and to shop the store! The candles smell amazing and are inspired by the beautiful St. Croix Valley.

    Crabtree’s Garden Gate is located next door to Shoreline Goods.

    Crabtree’s is such a surprise when you pull off the highway and see all the fun and unique outdoor and indoor home decor. Plus so much more. They also offer super fun and beautiful bird feeders and you can buy your seed there. The bird seed mixes, have been locally developed by them over the last 15 years, and are mixed and delivered weekly for freshness. They also offer unique women’s clothing and accessories, plus fun gadgets for the kitchen. Don’t miss the samples of Minnesotan gourmet treats, coffee, and wine. Oh and they have awesome dog treats and toys!

    St. Croix Chocolates is just a couple more miles down HWY 95. Did you know we have an international award-winning chocolate shop in Minnesota?! This is a great story about an ending that led to a wonderful beginning. When Chocolatier Robyn was laid off from a career in journalism, she studied fine chocolate techniques from top pastry chefs and St. Croix Chocolates was born! 

    The artisan chocolates are made by hand, delicious, and beautiful. There is always something unique in the case when we stop and just have to try it. We’ve had fun picking all the different flavors. There are gift boxes available for holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion.

    St. Croix Valley State Parks

    The last stop after your sweet treat is William O’Brien State Park. We are so lucky to have such amazing state parks in Minnesota with quality recreation. This is the perfect way to end your adventurous day. Enjoy a 2 mile walk on the Wetland Trail and see the park’s rolling, wooded hills. The park offers Camping, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Cross-country skiing, Naturalist Programs, Bird Watching, and they have an Oak Savanna Restoration. *There is construction through early 2025 on Riverway Campground, Riverside Group Camp, the Riverside Trail and the Mondale Day Use Area.

    There are 4 Minnesota State Parks along the St. Croix including William O’Brien, Interstate State Park, Wild River State Park, and Afton State Park. Add them all to your bucket list!

    LISTEN to the PODCAST

    If you’re looking for more fun things to do in the area, see my Chisago Lakes itinerary HERE.

    Reach out and let us know if you visited! OR tell us your favorite local places throughout the US and where we must stop!

    Let’s Explore Local Together! #DiscoverInspireConnect

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    ©Explore Local Together

  • Explore Local Together Ep. 1 – Chisago Lakes Itinerary

    Explore Local Together Ep. 1 – Chisago Lakes Itinerary

    If you’re visiting from our podcast, thank you for listening to our first episode of Explore Local Together! If not, you can check it out HERE. We are excited to build community around exploring. We kicked off Explore Local Together with an itinerary for our stomping grounds, Chisago Lakes, Minnesota. Did you know this area is only 40 minutes from the Twin Cities? Enjoy the day and keep exploring local…together!

    Listen to the podcast here.

    Chisago Lakes Itinerary

    Northwoods Roasterie & Coffee Shop

    Northwoods Roasterie has been roasting its own fairly-traded organic beans since 2006. The owner is passionate about the highest quality beans and serving a great cup of coffee. The coffee is fantastic and the highlight is the atmosphere. It’s cozy with spaces to connect with others or work alone on your laptop. There is an outdoor patio, and little nooks including a quiet upstairs area. And as we said on the podcast, we really like their sausage and cheese bagels! 😉

    Antiquing in Lindstrom, Minnesota

    Picket Fence Gals offers many unique and fun treasures! The gals are super helpful while you browse and make sure to take your items to hold at the front desk so you don’t have to carry everything around. There are two buildings with multiple vendors offering a wide array of styles, from Farmhouse to Modern to BOHO to Mid-century. Every day is different because the vendors add new stock each night. Make sure to check out the local bakery items!

    Picket Fence Gals is only open once a month! Check their website for dates.

    Rose’s Collectibles – A vintage collectible shop with locations in Stillwater and Lindstrom, Minnesota. This is TD’s favorite spot to shop for vinyl records.

    Best Local Park in Lindstrom, Minnesota

    Allemansrätt Park is a Wilderness & Swedish Heritage Park. This park is a true hidden gem.

    From the Allemansrätt Park website: The term ‘Allemansrätt’ is a Swedish philosophy of the right of public access, and includes an implicit responsibility to protect and conserve. 

    Allemansrätt Park offers 125 acres to explore, including a 14-acre secluded lake and 10,000 feet of shoreline on three lakes (North Lindström Lake channel, North Center Lake, and Bull Lake), wetlands, a 5-acre island, a 33-acre peninsula, plus an 1853 homestead with educational and historic informational kiosks. There are trails, benches, restrooms, parking lots, and two campsites (camping is first come first serve for $15 a night).  

    You can walk, run, hike, go birding (over 100 species of birds), enjoy photography, ski, snowshoe, canoe/kayak or camp. The lakes are also part of the Chisago Lakes Water Trail which we will be discussing in an upcoming episode.

    Top Burger Spot near Lindstrom, Minnesota

    The Northern Lake Tavern & Grill

    The Northern reminds us of the show Cheers. They have the traditional square bar setup with all your favorite locals. It’s a relaxed, cabin-style atmosphere with yummy bar food. Our favorites are the patty melt, fries, fish, and the reuben. There is also a large patio to enjoy lake views.

    Let’s Explore Local Together!

    #DiscoverInspireConnect

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    ©Explore Local Together

  • Explore Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Explore Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico

    I could be wrong, but I think Old Town in Albuquerque is a bit of a hidden gem for visitors driving through New Mexico. It took us a few times to travel through before we discovered it. Once we did, we stayed a couple of nights while on our way to Sedona, Arizona. We loved it so much that we stayed again on our way home!

    Things to do near Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Visit Old Town! Look at all these beautiful storefronts and colors! There are over 150 galleries, shops, restaurants, and museums. Each one is individually owned. This area offers something for everyone and is historically fascinating dating back to the 1700s, predating the formation of the United States. All within a short distance are the Explora-Science and Learning Museum, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and the Chapel of our Lady Guadalupe.

    Tiguex Park is within walking distance of the museums and just .5 miles to Old Town Plaza. It’s a great park to get fresh air, sit in the shade, and walk the dogs. There is a playground, basketball courts, and workout equipment. We really enjoyed walking around this Tricentennial Park with the dogs.

    Dog Friendly Hotel Albuquerque, New Mexico

    We love staying at the Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn; it’s easy access off I-40 and Route 66 and is close to modern and old fun. The hotel is only .7 miles from Old Town. It is convenient with an onsite restaurant and cocktail lounge and is dog-friendly. We appreciate that they have a little kennel in the back, a designated spot for the dogs to go to the bathroom.

    Favorite Restaurants in Albuquerque, New Mexico

    The Range Cafe is only .2 miles from Best Western. My favorite is the blue corn pancakes!! We always took our food to go and the service was fantastic. Hot food packed nicely and easy to eat in the car. My mouth is watering thinking of the pancakes. 😉

    Our other favorite food spot was the Sawmill Market with multiple yummy food options. I really liked the salad from Meso Grill. It was fresh and huge! They offer beer tastings, yoga, live music, and other events. Check their website for updates.

    We really loved the pizza from Hawt Pizza Co. and so did the dogs! They give you an option to add burrata to your pizza. Do it!

    If you’re like us and get sick of eating out while traveling, we always try to find the local co-op. La Montanita Co-op didn’t disappoint. The fresh bread and deli is amazing. We also really love the Albuquerque Whole Foods hot food section.

    Albuquerque is a great stop on Route 66 on your way west or back east! Allen approves! 🐾

    If you’re heading to Sedona, here are our favorite restaurants >> https://solsiteco.com/2020/12/07/best-restaurants-sedona-arizona/

    Never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

    ©Tracy Blowers

  • Spend the day in Stillwater, Minnesota

    Spend the day in Stillwater, Minnesota

    Spend the day in Stillwater, Minnesota, and enjoy delicious food, unique shopping, and beautiful views of the St. Croix River!

    Many times, we think we need a big getaway. After spending the day in Stillwater, Minnesota, I was reminded that one day away or even a half day is revitalizing. So often, we talk about self-care, and we don’t discuss travel being part of it. I see too much of the 10-step nightly face routine. 😉 Travel is expensive but so are women’s beauty products. It’s about prioritizing what works for you and getting creative. It doesn’t have to be a 10-day trip to an exotic island to have the same effects. A smaller dose of relaxation and filling your soul is worth it!

    A Day Trip to Discover Stillwater

    Best Small Towns in Minnesota

    We started the day at Feller Restaurant for lunch. We really loved the cozy atmosphere with comfortable bar stools and big windows that look out to Stillwater’s historic Main Street. We enjoyed the Nicoise Salad and Foragers Crostini but the star of the show was the Bacon Wrapped Dates! They were so delicious. They deserve another close up picture!

    We also really liked Pinch ‘n Rub Spice and Tea Hub. When you walk in, the smells are divine.

    Things to do in Stillwater, Minnesota

    After lunch, we walked and shopped Main Street. Our favorite stop was the Stillwater Olive Oil Company, where you can sample a variety of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s a unique tasting experience and so yummy! The service was fantastic too with the staff being super helpful and answering all of our questions.

    Next, we walked down by the St. Croix River and took in all the views. The Stillwater historic lift bridge is such a sight to see and fun to walk across to take in the river views and downtown Stillwater.

    Last, we had a delicious cup of coffee at Made Coffee before hitting the road. My favorite is a hot oat milk miel. The weather in Minnesota has been so crazy warm so it was nice to sit by the fire and then inside the cozy Lora Hotel. Don’t forget, a simple day trip with a friend can make a huge difference in your mental health.

    Another historic small town to visit in Minnesota is Afton! Read more > https://solsiteco.com/2022/08/04/afton-minnesota/.

    Always keep searching for What Stirs Your Soul! ❤️

    ©Tracy Blowers

  • Create Your Life

    Create Your Life

    Remember that you have the power to create your life instead of letting life happen to you. Moment by moment. It might not feel that way, but even through the hard times, you have a choice. A choice to lead with love for yourself. There are so many times that I didn’t feel this way and was giving my power away. When it feels like other things are taking up too much space, take small moments to fill your cup. Create through writing in a journal or taking 5 minutes to daydream. Imagining the life that you want is a start and it might not feel like it but it is a step forward. Imagination creates possibilities. I know for some this might come easy OR it looks like it’s coming easy but for me, it’s a battle. One that I work on every day. Two ideas to get you started…

    • Take small consistent steps toward your goals

    When I was diagnosed with Dystonia, I thought I would never be able to exercise again. But, then I started with just 5 minutes a day. It will feel like a long road but before I knew it (it was months), I was up to 30 minutes.

    • Create a vision board

    Even if this sounds silly, it worked for me. Some things took years but seeing my vision come alive on a board and setting intentions kept my ideas and wants top of mind. I love looking back at my boards and seeing my accomplishments that have come to fruition.

    And if you’re happy with where you are, don’t fall into the hype of the new year. Just LIVE and enjoy. Society is always pushing us towards something but it’s all about finding what makes you happy, what stirs your soul, and what makes you feel content.

    Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver.

    Have a great start to January!

    ©Tracy Blowers

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