TRACY SEES STUFF 👀

Category: Blog

  • Horseshoe Bend Arizona

    Horseshoe Bend Arizona

    Horseshoe Bend Arizona

    This is what you see as you walk the 3/4 mile from the parking lot to the overlook of Horseshoe Bend. It’s so flat that it’s hard to believe you will see an awe-inspiring deep canyon. I kept imagining what the first people must have thought as they traveled this flat land and then to come to the edge of this incredible site.

    Horseshoe Bend

    Horseshoe Bend has been on my bucket list for awhile. We’ve driven by many times but haven’t stopped due to overcrowding. This site has become quite the social media sensation. It’s best to go early morning or evening. We didn’t have that opportunity so there were a lot of tour buses and people (see video below). Luckily because we visited in February, we were still able to park in the lot and walk to the overlook to capture this beautiful view.

    Horseshoe Bend Arizona

    Horseshoe Bend is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Colorado River carves its way through the sandstone on its way to the sea. The Glen Canyon area covers 1.25 million acres. There is so much to see and do that I don’t think we could do it all in a lifetime (Goals!). The nearby Lake Powell offers tons of water activities including houseboat rentals. Plus there is endless hiking, camping, and backcountry recreation.

    Even though it is a relatively easy hike to the overlook, make sure to be prepared with plenty of water and hiking shoes. One of the girls playing on the rock in the video almost slid off. Her friends were quick enough to catch her but it was terrifying. Please respect the land, Mother Nature and the rules.

    Horseshoe Bend Dog Friendly

    Horseshoe Bend and this whole area is pet-friendly. They even gave Allen a dog treat as we entered. He loved stretching his legs and the view. 🙂

    Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is an amazing pet-friendly hotel in the area, and while exploring this area, make sure to check out Lone Rock Beach!

    © What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Glamping – Yellowstone National Park

    Glamping – Yellowstone National Park

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park

    We turned off Highway 20 in West Yellowstone onto a dirt road and drove under the log archway for Bar N Ranch. We could see the canvas tents in the distance of this beautiful, secluded, wide-open space. There were pops of colorful wildflowers, horses running in the pasture and the mountains layering the horizon. From that moment, we knew we were in for a unique camping experience.

    The Under Canvas Yellowstone safari-inspired glamping accommodations are located on the Bar N Ranch property and are only 10 minutes from the West entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    Luxury Camping Experience at Under Canvas Yellowstone

    We checked in at the lobby tent which is open 24 hours a day and offers coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a happy hour in the evening. This is a high-end camping experience so our service expectations were high and were exceeded from check-in to check-out. The lobby tent is also filled with cozy couches and blankets, fun oversized swings, board games, albums and a record player, plus a little store. There is an awesome patio with beautiful lights to enjoy the views.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    Parking from the individual tents is a good distance so the staff meets you at your parking location with a golf cart to bring all your belongings to your tent. We stayed in the Safari tent which comes with a king-size bed and wood-burning stove. The community bathrooms (with private stalls, hot showers, flushing toilets, and sinks) are very nice and clean. There are plenty of stalls so there was no waiting.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    The Deluxe, Stargazer, and Suite tents have their own ensuite bathrooms plus private decks. They also offer tents for larger families that include an adjacent hive for extra beds and space.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    We arrived just as a storm was moving through and we were fortunate to see a rainbow. The sunsets in West Yellowstone, Montana are incredible and when the sky turns dark, the milky way lights up the big sky.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    Where to Eat and Things to Do while Glamping Yellowstone National Park

    Dinner is served at the Bar N Ranch restaurant with a nice variety of options. We had the Fries with Trio of Dips, Pan-Roasted Trout, and Bruschetta Grilled Chicken.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    After dinner, you can enjoy s’mores around the campfire or relax in a hammock. There’s also volleyball, horseshoes, and badminton. You can rest, play, or plan your adventures at Yellowstone National Park.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    The resident fox greeted us early in the morning as we walked over to the lobby tent for coffee!

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    The breakfast buffet is included in the rate and also served at the Bar N Ranch. It was a lovely chilly morning and all the smoke from the wood-burning stoves created a fantastic view.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    Ranch reflections…

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    After breakfast, we walked down to the other hammock hangout by the river.

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas
    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    Thank you, Under Canvas, for such an easy and unique camping experience! And for all of the small touches and customer service. We look forward to seeing you again!

    Glamping Yellowstone National Park Under Canvas

    Learn more at Under Canvas Yellowstone. Enjoy the road!

    If you’re a fellow Minnesotan or visiting, here is one of our favorite unique camping experiences locally – Whitetail Woods Regional Park.

    Originally posted on September 3, 2019.

    © What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Fay Canyon Trail Sedona Arizona

    Fay Canyon Trail Sedona Arizona

    Hiking Fay Canyon Trail Sedona Arizona

    Fay Canyon Trail – Sedona, Arizona in the enchanted Coconino National Forest is an easy to moderate trail without much elevation gain. The moss and greenery among the red rocks stood out to us along with the awe-inspiring sandstone formations overhead.

    The trail is an out and back 2.4 mile hike. There is a secret natural arch to keep an eye out for or you will miss it. Check out the Sedona Hiking App for directions and details. On this hike, we decided to bring our ukulele just for fun. I don’t know how to play it yet but it’s one of my goals. I wanted to snap some pictures with it against the red rocks. The ukulele ended up bringing us much more than we expected!

    When we made it to the end of the of maintained trail, we met a couple who asked us about the ukulele.

    We chatted a little bit and the gentleman asked if he could play it. He even tuned it for us and then…

    It was so fun to listen to him play on the trail with the sound echoing off the rocks. We had a great conversation and exchanged some recommendations. It continues to amaze me how we can meet complete strangers on the trail and become fast friends. We started working our way back and then met a woman who asked us about the ukulele. She also asked if she could play it.

    She was such a sweetheart and helped Terry learn a few chords.

    This ended up being one of our all time favorite hikes because we got so much joy out of listening to people play and our conversations. Sometimes it’s more than the trail. ❤️

    Use the search box on the right to find all of our Sedona blogs.

    Safe travels! Don’t forget – leave no trace.

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

    ©What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Parks in Minneapolis Minnesota

    Parks in Minneapolis Minnesota

    Parks in Minneapolis Minnesota

    One of the best things about living in Minnesota is all the parks in our hometown Minneapolis. In fact, did you know that Minneapolis features 180 park properties?!

    This sunrise skyline view is from Bde Maka Ska park. The lake is the largest in the chain of lakes and has three beaches. The park is 518 acres with a 3.1 mile loop for pedestrians. We love walking and running around this lake in every season. It’s the perfect distance with nature views, neighborhood views, and the skyline. If you want to add distance, you can keep going around the chain.

    The full chain of lakes covers 1555 acres with a total of 14.81 miles of pedestrian trails along with 15.27 of biking trails.

    The lakes include Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet and Brownie Lake.

    There are endless activities: Concerts, Boating, Fishing, Volleyball, Archery, Tennis, Grilling, Ice-Skating, Cross-Country Skiing, Playgrounds, and more. You can see all the amenities by clicking HERE.

    This area is definitely one of the highlights of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Make sure to visit and take it all in!

    Read more about another one of our favorite parks in Minnesota – Bryant Lake Regional Park.

    ©What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Why I Started

    Why I Started

    Don’t you think the first workday is really the official start to a new year? Before that, I’m floating in neverland. 😉

    My blog started as an outlet to share my feelings about living with a chronic disease. It has transformed along with me as I learned to navigate my condition and life. Just like 2020, the disease kicked my butt. At the same time it put me on a path to discover what truly matters and makes me happy. That’s what I’m taking away from this last year. To focus on what matters, to help others, and to share hope.

    To spark you to ask yourself, what stirs my soul?

    Knowing that life can change in a blink…

    ❤️

    📸: Laura Rae Photography

  • What Stirs Your Soul – Finding Joy

    What Stirs Your Soul – Finding Joy

    My blog name, What Stirs Your Soul, was created to inspire others. Inspiration to pause and ask yourself that question.

    We get caught up in the swirl of life and don’t take the time to find what truly makes us happy. We do things that we think we “should” do and soon we are on autopilot. It took a life-changing diagnosis for me to slow down, find my passions, and appreciate the little moments. That can be the benefit of challenges in our lives. It’s not easy and it’s always a process. It’s taken me years and something that I continue to work on.

    My wish for everyone during this crazy unusual year is that you are able to reset. To experience life with new eyes, to find peace, enjoy simpler festivities, AND ask…what stirs my soul? If 2020 taught us anything, it is how fast everything can change. Live your dreams. Live you. ❤️

    © What Stirs Your Soul Media

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