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Tag: travel

Best Friends Animal Society – Allen

Every year while volunteering at Best Friends Animal Society, we (of course!) discuss getting another dog or cat. We rescued our girl, Utah, when she was a puppy and this time we wanted to rescue an older dog. Utah has health issues so we knew it had to be the perfect fit.

While volunteering, we walked and met lots of dogs in search of Utah’s new sibling. Click their name below each photo to learn more about them.

This is sweet Corban.

Agatha

I fell in love with Agatha but we felt she wasn’t the right match for Utah which was heartbreaking. I did sponsor Agatha. Sponsoring is a great option if you’re not ready to adopt. You can read more about that at Best Friends Animal Society.

Marcie

Marcie was amazing too! We had so much fun together but she likes to be the only dog in the pack. If you want to be a one dog family, check her out.

Manny

Manny was hilarious! He would keep you on your toes and laughing all day. We loved ALL of these dogs so much and it was so hard as always not taking all of them home.

As our time to leave approached, we were having a hard time making a decision. We stopped at Dogtown Headquarters to visit Kristi, who helped us with adopting Utah. When I walked in, there was Allen sitting behind the help desk. I felt an immediate strong connection to him! The crazy thing is that he arrived at Best Friends the same day that we arrived. I think it was meant to be.

We set up a time for him and Utah to meet and the rest is history! Allen has been a light for Utah. They have so much fun playing together. Utah has been playing more and even eating better. I couldn’t be more thankful.

As I always say…we rescue them but I think that they really rescue US.

Happy National Pet Month!

Best Friends Animal Society is the largest no-kill sanctuary in the Nation. Their mission is to SAVE THEM ALL and someday live in a world where there are no homeless pets. The sanctuary is a little heaven on earth.

If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring or donating – visit their website at bestfriends.org.

©Tracy Blowers

May 31, 2019
Baker Campground – Twin Cities – Minnesota

It’s a rainy day so I’m dreaming of camping, looking at photos from past trips and planning new ones. I love going through old pictures and reminiscing. One of the best things about living in the Twin Cities is the convenience of not having to travel too far to “get-away”.

We really enjoyed camping at Baker Campground which is part of the Three Rivers Park District (offering 27,000 acres of parks and trails) and is only 22 miles from Minneapolis.

The campsites are spacious, tons of wooded trails, and we loved being so close to Lake Independence. There’s so much to do that it’s hard to find time to relax! We rented their tandem bike which was so much fun. Another nice amenity is that they have rental equipment for almost any activity that you want to try. I recently turned 50 and it’s motivated me to try new things! It’s nice to be able to rent and try something a few times before making a big purchase.

This was the first time that we brought our girl, Utah, camping with us and the first time that Terry and I put up a tent together. (which you know can end a marriage. ;-)) But we were very pleased with our REI Co-op Camp Dome 4 Tent. It was very easy to set up…whew! There was plenty of room for us and we even brought Utah’s kennel in for the night.

I love all the different hiking trails and taking pictures of the wildflowers. The trail system is extensive offering something for everyone based on your skill level.

There is nothing better than relaxing in our hammock after a hike! If you are considering getting one, DO IT. I love the ENO hammocks because they are so easy to pack and don’t take up much room. They are so lightweight that you can just throw them in your backpack. I waited to purchase one thinking it would be hard to deal with and wish I would have got one sooner. It’s the little things!

Utah loves the hammock too! 🙂

What is your favorite thing about camping or favorite spot?

Sponsored advertising content for REI.

©Tracy Blowers

May 27, 2019
Mississippi – National River and Recreation Area – Twin Cities

Did you know that we have a National Park running right through the Twin Cities in Minnesota? The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area offer 72 miles of boating, running/walking/hiking/biking trails, fishing, birdwatching, nature and city photography, and much more. We are fortunate to live in an urban area with so much nature to enjoy.

“Unlike most other national parks, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a partnership park.” – National Park Service.

The National Park Service only owns 67 acres of the 54,000 acres of the park. The rest is owned by the city, state and regional parks, private businesses, homes, etc. They work in partnership to protect and preserve the mighty Mississippi. Read more: https://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

A few of my favorite spots to visit and explore are Father Hennepin Bluff Park, Historic Main Street Park, and the Stone Arch Bridge. The Stone Arch Bridge is a perfect spot to take photographs of the Minneapolis skyline! There are many restaurants just off the Historic Main Street. We love the Aster Cafe! Amazing made from scratch food and live music. In the summer, the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board offers Movies in the Parks.

Stone Arch Bridge

Historic Main Street Park

The best is the changing seasons in Minnesota. ❤️ Each season offers a new perspective!

Nice Ride bike sharing is an easy and convenient way to explore the city and parks.

Sunrise and sunset are the best times to capture photos and such a beautiful time to go for a walk. Sunrise is especially nice because the parks are the least crowded. Let me know if you are visiting the Twin Cities and need any recommendations. Even in the city, you can #FindYourPark!

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

May 23, 2019
Cottonwood Canyon Road – Southern Utah

Cottonwood Canyon Road – Southern Utah

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was the last place in the continental United States to be mapped. It still feels wild and untouched.

We drove Cottonwood Canyon Road from Big Water to Cannonville and then up to Bryce Canyon National Park. Cottonwood Canyon Road is 46 miles of unpaved road offering a unique perspective of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. You don’t need 4-wheel drive to travel this route but you DO need to watch the weather. *Do not take this route if it has rained or will be raining.

The land tells so many stories of our past and we can learn so much about saving our future. I feel rushed to experience it all with how quickly the world is changing.

The Grosvenor Arch was named after Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, president of the National Geographic Society.

We loved that we only saw a couple of other cars on the road. If you’re traveling in the southwest and want to escape the crowds at the more popular sites, visit the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Below are photos from our Cottonwood Canyon Road adventure. These photos barely scratch the surface of all that the monument has to offer. There is so much more on my bucket list and I can’t wait to go back in the fall! Some hiking ideas for you are the Toadstools, Cottonwood Narrows and Willis Creek Slot Canyons. Also, visit all four visitor centers bordering the monument. Each one has its own theme! They are located in Kanab, Big Water, Cannonville and Escalante.

Know before you go! Check weather and see more DETAILS.

The trails are very dog-friendly! Just make sure you have plenty of water, even when it’s 50 degrees, that dry heat can be too much for the dogs.

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly hotel in Southern Utah, check out Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile. Read more HERE.

If you’re heading back towards Zion National Park after visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, here are some great restaurant options! https://solsiteco.com/2024/02/22/best-ten-restaurants-near-zion-national-parks-east-entrance/

Life is short, keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Soulsite Media

May 14, 2019
fri-yay!

That’s all that is on my mind. 🙂 Enjoy the weekend!!

February 22, 2019
failing

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default. -J.K. Rowling

Go for your dreams!!! Even if you fail, at least you tried.

It’s all about baby steps. It’s all about learning as we go.

As we learn and try new things, we begin to trust. We discover what we like and what we don’t. If you don’t try whether professionally or personally – how do you know? Maybe you think it’s a dream but once you’re there, it’s not what you expected. That doesn’t mean you failed, it means that it wasn’t for you.

I was terrified and exhilarated to be standing on this rock. I wanted to get closer to the edge but I was convinced the rock was going to break off. Lol! The thing is, every time I try something like this, my courage grows stronger and my fear weaker.

Take that baby step in the direction of your dream!!

XO

February 18, 2019

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