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Author: Tracy Blowers

Holiday Events in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota

Holiday Events in Lindstrom, Minnesota, and surrounding communities

The holiday events start the first weekend of November!

You will find an abundance of holiday spirit in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota. There is so much holiday magic, I believe Santa has a special place in his heart for these Minnesota communities. In fact, you will see Santa at most of the Chisago Lakes holiday events arriving in epic fashion! Chisago Lakes is a 40 minute drive from the Twin Cities and encompasses Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Shafer, Taylors Falls & Almelund.

Where to See Santa This Holiday Season

The Chisago Lakes area is known for celebrations year-round, but over the holidays, it is extra magical.

The holiday season events are what you imagine or remember when you think of wholesome fun, connection, and community. You will feel wonderment and joy watching Santa ride in on his sleigh, singing Christmas carols, taking horse-drawn sleigh rides, counting down and anticipating a town tree-lighting, shopping for the perfect homemade gifts, experiencing Swedish traditions, drinking hot chocolate, and seeing historic houses lit up in spectacular lights.

Calendar of Holiday Events in Chisago Lakes

Check out these festive annual events in November and December!

Chisago Lakes PTO Annual Craft Fair

Kick off the holiday season at the huge Chisago Lakes PTO Annual Craft Fair at the Wildcat Community Center! 150+ booths with vendors and local crafters, plus food trucks and fresh baked goods. Free admission, easy parking, and building access. This event has been taking place for over 30 years!

Annual Cheese and Chocolate Weekend at Winehaven Winery

Experience unique wines paired with amazing chocolates and rare cheeses the winery has specially selected for this special weekend. Winehaven Winery and Vineyard is a family-owned and operated winery located in Chisago City, Minnesota, and has been in operation since 1995. Its vineyard consists of 15 acres of various winter-hardy grapes.

Dueling Pianos at Winehaven Winery

Another can’t miss event at Winehaven. Enjoy a fantastic dinner and dueling piano show! The winery will be filled with the sounds of music from the 1970s through current favorites. Grab your family, friends, and favorite song requests for a fun night of food and music.

Taylors Falls Annual Lighting Festiv al

The quaint town of Taylors Falls, Minnesota, becomes a Christmas Card Village! This event has been held on the Friday after Thanksgiving since 1985. The Lighting Festival includes a parade, medallion hunt, craft fairs, Christmas at the 1855 Folsom House Museum, an ecumenical Choral Vesper Service, family Bingo, Mrs. Claus at the library, a giant bonfire, and snowman making. Watch for the limited edition Lighting Festival ornament and make sure to wear your lumberjack flannel!

Annual Center City Small Town Christmas

Santa arrives in a fire truck! Small Town Christmas is hosted by the Center City Fire Department Auxiliary at the Center City Fire Hall. The annual small-town Christmas evening includes cookie decorating, cocoa, popcorn, raffles, and a Christmas story read aloud. Put your Christmas jammies on and celebrate! This is a FREE family event. All proceeds from the raffles go to local residents in need this holiday season.

Annual Chisago Lake Lutheran Bazaar & Bake Sale

The annual Christmas Bazaar has been a tradition for over 20 years. Including more than 30 vendors and their always popular “Bethlehem Bakery,” stocked full of fresh baked goodies, including lefse! They serve hot cinnamon rolls and coffee in the mornings and then a sloppy joe lunch in the afternoon. There are also antiques and a raffle with great prizes!

Annual Center City Holiday Craft Boutique

The Holiday Craft Boutique is hosted by the Center City Fire Department Auxiliary at the Center City Fire Hall. Their annual Holiday Boutique has many vendors, crafters, and baked goods! There will be unique gifts for teachers, family, co-workers, friends, and so much more. Raffle tickets will be available for a chance to win prize baskets. Lunch will also be available for sale. Do some holiday shopping while supporting a great cause! All proceeds go towards local residents in need.

Holiday Cheers at Winehaven Winery

Sample new wines, mulled wines, special treats, and plenty of holiday cheer!

Annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Lindström Community Center

Have a fun day shopping! The Holiday Craft Fair has several vendors with a wide variety of items, including holiday gifts, Scentsy, jewelry, handcrafted items, and gifts. You can make a day of it and attend two other craft shows on the same day in Center City (within 4 miles of each other). Visit the above link to the Facebook event page with a Google Map and information. Local Cub Scout Pack #144 will be selling food and beverages, plus wreaths and garland.

Annual Lindström Tree Lighting Festival

Don’t miss Lindström’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival at Lindström’s Memorial Park! FREE Admission.

Visit a winter wonderland and see live reindeer, take pictures with Santa, stay warm with hot cocoa, coffee and a bonfire, enjoy a freshly grilled hot dog or brat, make a s’more with Boy Scout Troop 159, meet the KOD/Chisago Lakes Ambassadors, plus listen to live music: High School Brass Ensemble & Santa Lucia Carolers.

Chisago City’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival at Moberg Park.

Come to Moberg Park for Chisago City’s Annual Lighting Festival! FREE Admission.

Events include horse-drawn sleigh rides, music, caroling, refreshments, and of course, Santa! Bring your letters to Santa with a returned addressed envelope, and Santa will reply.

Picket Fence Gals Annual Holiday Sale

Picket Fence Gals is a one-of-a-kind sale! They have become one of the premier occasional sales in Minnesota. Through the years, Picket Fence Gals has grown to 2 buildings and added Picket Fence Guys. Each vendor has their own design aesthetic that gives Picket Fence Gals a wide array of styles that shoppers will love, from Farmhouse to Modern to BOHO to Mid-century. Every day during the sale is different because the vendors restock each night. Have fun and find wonderful treasures.

Chisago Lakes Chamber Annual Meeting and Holiday Gala

Join the Chisago Lakes Chamber team for their Annual Meeting and Holiday Gala. Get to know the community and the team during a social hour then enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and desserts!

For more events in Chisago Lakes, visit the Chisago Lakes Chamber calendar!

Another fun and unique spot to shop is Pleasant Valley Orchard. Plus, you can pick up fresh apples for your Thanksgiving pie.

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

Wishing you a merry holiday season!

November 3, 2023
Medora – North Dakota

Have you been to Medora, North Dakota? What a kick! This area is rich in history and nature but also offers unique activities for the whole family from the Pitchfork Steak Fondue Dinner to the Medora Musical.

Medora is located at the entrance of Theodore Roosevelt National Park with beautiful views of the North Dakota Badlands. Medora was founded in 1883 which is also the year that the young Theodore Roosevelt visited this region to hunt bison. Can you imagine the feeling of seeing this amazing landscape for the first time?

The Pitchfork Steak Fondue Dinner was delicious and yes, the steaks are truly cooked on pitchforks! Our steaks were cooked perfectly and we appreciated all the sides which included fresh fruit, salad, coleslaw, vegetables, baked beans, garlic toast, baked potatoes, brownies, and cinnamon-sugar donuts plus coffee and lemonade. You can purchase wine or beer at the bar.

It was busy (see picture below) but they are super organized and the line moved quickly. There’s also plenty of tables in either the shade or the sun so you don’t have to feel rushed for a seat. We were impressed with all the staff walking around asking if we needed anything and clearing our plates.

They have a live band (The Coal Diggers from the Medora Musical) playing good ole western music. The music combined with the views and eating outside, it’s a night to remember!

We walked around the bluff after dinner and took in all the views. Both the Pitchfork Steak Fondue Dinner and the Medora Musical are located up on the bluff. The drive up is only 5 minutes from town and they do offer shuttles.

The set of the Medora Musical

We stayed at the historic Rough Riders Hotel in the heart of downtown Medora. The rooms were very nice. The three C’s…convenient, clean and comfortable. 😉 Plus, there is a wonderful private library filled with everything Theodore Roosevelt for you to enjoy.

Breakfast is always my favorite meal and The Farmhouse Cafe perfectly satisfied all my cravings from the coffee to chocolate syrup on the pancakes! Check out the Redneck Breakfast below, that’s a huge piece of ham on top of sausage with an over-easy egg and cheesy hashbrowns. Holy moly so good! The service was top notch and I found the most unique gifts here.

There are many cute shops in town and we loved the Badlands Shooting Gallery. There is also an art gallery, zipline, children’s park, and the beautiful Bully Pulpit golf course. PLUS, all the adventuring at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park!

There’s so much to do in Medora and I know we barely scratched the surface. Check out Look About Lindsey’s blog “Why you need to stay more than one night in Medora North Dakota“. She’s an awesome travel blogger and we love following her adventures.

If you live in the Twin Cities, getting to Medora is an easy 8-hour drive. Fargo is approximately at the halfway point, so it’s a convenient stop to take a break for lunch or to spend the night. We stopped at the Würst Bier Hall in downtown Fargo for lunch. The locally-made polish sausage was amazing and Terry loved the local beer. Terry will be sharing more in his Tuesdays with Terry post.

We look forward to seeing you again, Medora!

For more information: medora.com

Originally published August 2019

© What Stirs Your Soul Media

August 20, 2023
Life of a Best Friends Rescue Dog

The Story of a Best Friend Animal Society Adoption

This is the life story of a rescue dog, our Best Friends rescue dog. When we met, I had no idea how much you would change our lives for the better. Our time together was short but continues to have a lasting impact.

Thousands of miles and adventures in your years. Thank you for saving us, sweet girl. Run free…

We met at Best Friends Animal Society, a place that was on my bucket list after seeing their National Geographic “Dog Town” series. We scheduled a tour and then randomly checked their website for puppies available for adoption. There you were! Without hardly thinking, we submitted our adoption paperwork. It was late in the evening. The next morning during the tour, we got a call from the Best Friends Adoption Specialist. Our cell service was sketchy, so we could not connect. We were so nervous that we would miss the opportunity. But then…

From that day forward, life was full of lessons, adventures, and love. You taught us patience, how to work together, to take breaks, to enjoy daily walks. You literally made us laugh every single day. Your personality was larger than life. You loved to travel and road trips. Every hotel, every new location, was a place to discover and explore. You climbed on every table and chair even when you were too big to fit. You loved sitting on the lawn chairs in the backyard and taking it all in.

I could post a million pictures of you and tell a million stories. When we found out that you had kidney disease at your one year check-up, it was so heartbreaking. We made up our minds to fill your short life with adventure. Another thing that through you changed us forever. We grew closer, discovered ourselves through traveling, and became happier. I felt a strong connection to you because of struggling with my own pain. We both had challenges but we figured out ways to work around them and live our best lives. We took breaks when we needed them and pushed ourselves when we could. Together.

You were never sure what to do with your long legs. 🙂

You died at the young age of three (almost four). I’m so thankful for the time that you had with your brother, Allen. He brought out so much joy in you the last year of your life.

We miss you so much.

Best Friends Animal Society started over 35 years ago with a no-kill sanctuary in Utah. Today, they are helping homeless pets in every corner of the country. Their goal is to have the country no-kill by 2025. You can learn more HERE.

Learn more about Best Friends and make a gift in honor of your animal best friend at https://bfas.io/bfday23.

Life is short, do the things that stir your soul. ❤️

*Originally posted January 12, 2021. One year after Utah passed away.

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

June 7, 2023
Best Gull Lake Minnesota Resort

Quarterdeck Resort on Gull Lake, Minnesota

Quarterdeck Resort on Gull Lake in Minnesota feels like home. It’s laid back, easy, and comfortable. And IMO, winter is the best time to go! This year instead of road-tripping to the Southwest in January and February, we stayed in Minnesota. We are in the honeymoon phase of our new house. ❤️ Instead, I got away to Quarterdeck Resort and have been enjoying winter in my backyard. As I drove around to the west shore of Gull Lake, I got that quintessential Minnesota up north feeling. It’s nostalgic and reminds me of road trips to see my Grams and Gramps. The tree-lined two-lane road, the random spotting of wildlife, the frozen lake, and the anticipation of fun to come.

Getting away to the Quarterdeck cured my winter blues. It doesn’t always have to be going someplace warm, it’s about the change of scenery and embracing the beauty around you. There is something special about the winter season that we can take for granted and that some don’t ever experience. From the soft blankets of fresh snow to the cold crisp air cleaning out your lungs. It’s invigorating! Plus the crunch sound of the snow beneath your feet, slowing down, warming up by the fireplace, a good book, yummy food, and hot drinks.

The winter sunrises at Quarterdeck Resort are out of this world. I stayed in one of the Lakeside Lodge Rooms and took these photos from my deck. The Main Lodge is literally steps from the water’s edge.

Things to Do in the Brainerd Lakes Area

The Brainerd Lakes Area is not only a water recreation playground but a winter one too! Mount Ski Gull is right next door to Quarterdeck Resort for downhill skiing and snow tubing. There are many nearby trails and parks for Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing. Including full moon snowshoe hikes at the Northland Arboretum encompassing 400 acres to explore. Also, Quarterdeck now rents snowmobiles and you can go ice-fishing right out your door!

The winter events are one-of-a-kind including Gull Lake’s Frozen Fore and the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza which is the world’s largest ice fishing contest.

The Quarterdeck Resort is going through a transformation while staying true to their laid back roots. It’s going to be insane with brand new lake lodging that is unrivaled in Minnesota plus a new YEAR-ROUND pool, hot tub, and sauna (see more details below). The lofts are going to have floor to ceiling glass AND a private ROOFTOP BAR 35 feet up from Gull Lake with a gas fire pit, refrigerator, table with seating for ten, and grilling station. I can’t wait to go back and see the progress! You can be the first to stay in one of their Lakefront Lofts this summer– see more HERE.

© Quarterdeck Resort

They also are adding Club Quarterdeck! Club Quarterdeck includes a YEAR-ROUND outdoor pool, sauna, and hot tub, plus an indoor fitness center, comfy lounge with big screen TVs, Cafe, and Retrocade with pinball games, vintage video games, shuffleboard, billiards, ping-pong, and more.

© Quarterdeck Resort

Speaking of wild winter fun, if you’re road tripping west for snowmobiling, check out Sportsman’s Lodge in Ennis, Montana.

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Tracy Blowers

March 8, 2023
Lindstrom, Minnesota

Best Small Towns in Minnesota

Happy first day of fall! Holy moly, summer zoomed by, and I still have so much to share from our Minnesota road trips. As we’ve been exploring our home state, we find ourselves drawn to the Chisago Lakes area and recently visited Lindstrom. We’ve driven through many times but have never stopped to check out the town.

Most people know Lindstrom by the adorable teacup water tower.

Lindstrom, Minnesota

First, we started with breakfast at Gustof’s On Main Eatery. We enjoyed the food and feeling of community in this historic house turned eatery. Next to us, a friendly couple started up a conversation and gave us suggestions for fun things to do in town. It felt like breakfast with a bunch of friends that we have known forever.

After breakfast, we needed a little extra pick me up so we walked to Northwoods Roasterie. This coffee shop is awesome! We really enjoyed the outdoor seating and the coffee is delicious. It was very busy but the service was great and the line moved quickly.

Next, you can’t go to Lindstrom and not stop at the Lindstrom Bakery! Food & Wine Magazine named the Lindstrom Bakery as having the best donuts in Minnesota. The donuts are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, perfect for dunking in your coffee. The owner, Bernie Coulombe, has owned the bakery for 48 years. She recently sold the bakery but the sale fell through and Bernie is back!

Minnesota State Parks

Then we were off to Wild River State Park for a hike. We stopped in the Visitor Center where a lovely woman helped us figure out the best hike for the amount of time that we had. When you stop at the Visitor Center, make sure to walk out the back and take in the views of the St. Croix River. There is also a lot of interactive experiences for the kids to learn about the park.

The park offers over 30 miles of hiking trails. There is a paved 3-mile trail that links the trail center, visitor center, picnic area, and campground. In the winter, they offer cross-country ski trails and snowshoeing.

We wrapped up the day at The Northern Tavern & Grill. Obviously, we were so hungry after our hike at Wild River State Park! The Rueben with house smoked corned beef melts in your mouth and their skin-on fries are amazing. And guess what? We ran into the couple that we sat next to at breakfast! It was such a perfect small town moment and reminded me of when I lived in Nisswa, Minnesota.

For more Best Small Towns in Minnesota, see my Taylors Falls blog post.

Life is short, never stop searching for What Stirs Your Soul. ❤️

©Tracy Blowers

September 22, 2022
Goulding’s Lodge & Tours – Monument Valley

Do you remember this spot from the Forrest Gump movie? There have been many movies filmed in Monument Valley which makes for fun trivia when road tripping through!

Best place to stay in Monument Valley, Arizona

Speaking of movies, staying at Goulding’s Lodge in Monument Valley on the Arizona/Utah border, feels like you’re on a set. The lodge is located approximately five miles from the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center, which allows you to get up close and personal with the monuments. Plus, you can set up exclusive tours right at the lodge or drive the 17-mile Tribal Park Loop on your own. This iconic view!!!

Goulding’s offers a variety of lodging options, including spacious rooms, suites, stand-alone villas, and a campground/RV park. Amenities include the onsite Stagecoach Restaurant, Grocery Store, Laundromat, and Gas Station. We loved the convenience of having everything we needed so close. Some rooms are dog friendly, and we loved that each unit has its own door. It makes it so much easier when traveling with the dogs. The views of the monuments are incredible; both sunrise and sunset were spectacular. There is easy access to hiking right out your door and not to mention all the onsite attractions. There is so much to do and see at the lodge and beyond.

Sunrise views from our room.

Things to do in Monument Valley

The dogs loved the trails and hiking around the Goulding’s property. Other onsite attractions include the Goulding’s Museum, Gift Shop, Earth Spirit Theater, Navajo Culture, and history, including “John Wayne’s Cabin” filled with movie memorabilia.

You have to try the traditional fry-bread at the Stagecoach Restaurant! Mouthwatering.

Monument Valley is magical. This was our second time visiting, the first time we just drove through and this time we stayed a couple of nights. I didn’t want to leave. Here are more incredible views…

Check out my Southwest Utah and Monument Valley blog post from a few years ago for more places to see: https://tracyseesstuff.com/2020/03/08/monument-valley-southern-utah/

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Tracy Blowers

August 30, 2022

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