Solsite Co. Creative

Tag: nature

  • Bryant Lake Regional Park – Minnesota

    Bryant Lake Regional Park – Minnesota

    Bryant Lake Regional Park is part of the Three Rivers Park District and is located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. 170 beautiful acres including a fenced 9-acre off-leash dog park. As you hike, you’re surrounded by rolling hills, woodlands, and the lovely Bryant Lake.

    There are a lot of activities to enjoy at the park; Dog Trails, Biking, Hiking, Boating, Fishing, Disc Golf, Geocaching, Paddling, Swimming, Play Areas, and Picnicking. Can you guess Allen’s favorite activity?

    We enjoyed the quiet while walking the trails, the wonderful wildflowers, and the songbirds. All the trails are very well-kept. There is a nice combination of paved trails (specifically for the dogs) and unpaved trails. You can find pdf maps HERE.

    Lots of acorns right now. Watch your step. 🙂

    The stairs in the picture below are awesome for an extra workout. 👌

    They are doing a great job with reminding people to respect each other’s space during the pandemic. ❤️

    Late summer and fall is the best time of the year in Minnesota. Enjoy!

    ©What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Fort Snelling State Park – Twin Cities – Minnesota

    Fort Snelling State Park – Twin Cities – Minnesota

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    There are so many beautiful winter trails in the heart of the Twin Cities!

    We visited Fort Snelling State Park the day after Thanksgiving (we needed the exercise after eating so much food). 🙂 Minnesota state parks waive the entrance fees on Black Friday to encourage people to get outside and explore.

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    Fort Snelling State Park is where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet. You can hike to Pike Island where they converge and enjoy 3 miles of packed walking trails. You can also leave the park and hike to the historic Fort Snelling.

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    The rivers offer amazing scenery and views as you hike the trails. We loved all the reflections of the snowy trees in the water. There are 12 miles of cross-country ski trails and snowshoeing anywhere but on the groomed trails.

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    Fort Snelling State Park also links to an extensive regional trail system.

    Our favorite thing is that the park is pet-friendly! The dogs loved getting out on the trails and meeting new friends.

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    There is a visitor center with gift shop, exhibits, and flush toilets that is open year-round. We got another sticker for the Thule!

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    It’s hard to believe this park is in the middle of the cities and right next to the airport.

    Make sure to get out and explore the Minnesota State Parks and Trails this winter!

    ©Tracy Blowers

  • Belly of the Dragon – Kanab, Utah

    Belly of the Dragon – Kanab, Utah

    Would you dare the depths of the Belly of the Dragon?

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    This “cave” is actually a manmade tunnel to redirect drainage from the upper canyons under HWY 89 to the North Fork River just outside of Kanab, Utah. The water created this ripple effect that looks like you’re going into the depths of a beast.

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    It is a bit of a shuffle to get down into the entrance but once you’re there, it’s an easy hike. Make sure NOT to walk through if it has rained and always watch the weather while hiking in Utah. You can make this a quick hike just to walk through the tunnel or if you keep going, you can hike another 4 miles to a slot canyon.

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    There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it does get dark. If you plan to hike through the tunnel, a headlamp would be a good idea.

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    We had so much fun playing around and taking pictures. There is a lot of graffiti which is too bad. Make sure to leave it like you find it. #leavenotrace

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    There is plenty of parking and this is fun for the whole family.

    To learn more, visit visitsouthernutah.com.

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    ©What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Let Go

    Let Go

    We attain freedom as we let go of whatever does not reflect our magnificence. A bird cannot fly high or far with a stone tied to its back. But release the impediment, and we are free to soar to unprecedented heights. – Alan Cohen

    Let go of the negative and make room for the positive. 💛

    Today as we start the week, if something or someone is holding you back, try hard to release that energy or find distance from that person. Life is short and every passing moment is a new opportunity to find your happiness.

    XO

  • Simplify Continued…

    Simplify Continued…

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    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

  • Keep It Simple – Westwood Hills Nature Center – Minnesota

    Keep It Simple – Westwood Hills Nature Center – Minnesota

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    Keep it simple.

    The best things in life are right in front of you.

    I hear people say all the time that they wish they could do this or that based on what they see on social media. Today’s “Mondays are for daydreaming” post is a reminder to put your phone down and see the inspiration all around you. Yes, we can get inspired by what we see on social but if we are getting sad or comparing ourselves, we need to step back and keep it in perspective. We have to remember that everyone has different priorities and different lives but that doesn’t mean ours is less or more.

    It’s all about our view.  

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    The little things that we take for granted.

    Sitting on a patio, the flowers in our backyard, or a walk through a neighborhood park. I was thinking about this a lot after recent conversations and as I walked with Terry through Westwood Hills Nature Center.

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    Westwood Hills Nature Center is a 160-acre natural area featuring marsh, woods, and restored prairie. The preserve is beautiful throughout the seasons and provides homes for many animals, including deer, turtles, fox, mink and owls. (from Westwood Hills Nature Center’s website) 

    They also offer many programs, camps, and activities run by professionally trained naturalists. It’s a little piece of heaven in the middle of the city.  A perfect spot for kids AND adults to play and learn.

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    We saw so many turtles! The more we looked, the more we saw.

    The next time you’re feeling uninspired, take a walk. A slow walk. Take a few deep breaths and look around. Take your shoes off and put your feet in the grass. Even just 20 minutes outside can help stress and anxiety.

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    Literally, stop and smell the flowers.

    Have a great start to your week and remember to keep it simple!

    Your life is full of abundance.

    XO

    #iPhonePhotography #WhatStirsYourSoul

     

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