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!
This post was created from our 2019 August trip. Make sure to confirm what is open during the corona virus pandemic before hitting the road.
Big Hole Bagel & Bistro was our first stop again for breakfast in Driggs, Idaho. We are always impressed with their service and their portions get us ready for a day of adventure. My favorite is the veggie omelet with the addition of avocado. The building is historic and has been part of Main Street for over 100 years. There is a full bakery in-house so the bagels are baked fresh every morning!
A new one for us this time was the Warbirds Cafe at the the Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport. This is a unique setting with gorgeous views of the Teton and Big Hole ranges. There are huge windows and a terrace to watch the planes arrive and depart while you enjoy your meal.
The Roasted Teton Caprese with Steelhead Trout was melt in your mouth amazing! All of the food was incredible plus above and beyond service. Here’s a quote from their Chef and Manager, David Hugo…
“I think of food as medicine,” says David Hugo, “You always want to put the best stuff in, which is usually local, fresh, and close to the source. The closer to the source you can get it, the better the flavor and the more nutritious.”
There is also a very cool Warbird Airplane Museum to check out while you wait for your food and sip on a glass of wine.
Another new one for us that Terry was super excited to check out (you know how he likes his local beer) was Citizen 33 Brewery. Terry loved trying the different local brews and we both loved the atmosphere.
I tried this beautiful steak salad and Terry had the burger. Both were very good! We weren’t surprised since the owners are the same as Forage Bistro & Lounge. We look forward to hanging out here again in 2021.
Then we had to go to our other favorites! Forage Bistro and Lounge is on the very top of our list. There is something about this little bistro. They treat you like your a local or family and the food is over the top good. It’s amazing what they put out considering the size of their kitchen. So, so, good! Literally some of the best meals we have ever tasted.
Rise Coffee is a must! They have an awesome outdoor patio/garden area to spread out, live music on Sunday mornings and the best coffee. We love their avocado toast and fresh baked goods. Yes that is bacon. 😍
Get there early because they get busy!
If you’re visiting during the summer, check out Music on Main in Victor which is just 8 miles away. There are shuttles offered from Driggs. We love this event! The music is always awesome and it feels like a big family picnic. Music on Main was cancelled for 2020 but watch for the 2021 dates! It runs on Thursdays through the summer.
Another must! A huckleberry shake from the Victor Emporium.
My beautiful neighbor is having her first baby in 2020. It’s such an uncertain time and hard to navigate risks. One day as we chatted over our fence as we often do, we talked about capturing this moment. We agreed to schedule a photo shoot because we have both limited our exposure to the virus. We also are able to be open, honest, and respect each other’s space and health. The simple magic key to all of us moving forward. ❤️
It was a fun night in our neighborhood capturing hope for the future.
Most National Parks are not dog-friendly and for good reason. It’s important to remember that when traveling with dogs it will be a different type of trip. We always research and get creative knowing that the trip won’t be as flexible but traveling with our dog is worth it! Learn more about our experience at the stunning dog-friendly, Pa’rus trail, at Zion National Park below.
Zion National Park offers one hiking trail that is dog-friendly (dogs must be kept on a leash). It is an easy, flat, trail that follows the Virgin River in the lower Zion canyon and is surrounded by beautiful views. The Pa’rus Trail is a 3.5 mile out and back trail. It’s very popular so it can get crowded. To try and beat the crowds, go in the morning, and beat the heat for your dog too.
*Make sure to bring plenty of water for you AND your dog. The dry heat can sneak up on you and it’s so important to stay hydrated.
Utah’s first National Park
Zion National Park is Utah’s first National Park. As you walk, the rocks, colors, and sky continuously change. Every step that I took, I wanted to take another picture to capture this grand landscape.
Tips while traveling with your dog in the National Parks
She was so happy that we found some shade!
A few other tips while traveling with dog to recreating responsibly:
Bag your pet’s waste (we always pack extra poop bags in our backpack!)
Always keep your pet on a leash – always
Stay away from the wildlife – keep a good boundary
Know where you can go before you go – it will save you and your pet a lot of stress
We were fortunate on our way out to see the bighorn sheep. How cute is that baby?!
I was getting packed up to visit my parents and about to walk out the door. All of a sudden, I remembered a dog toy that I wanted to bring along that was out in our backyard. I ran to the back door and just as I was about to open, I spotted this beauty.
Here is what Ted Andrews book, Animal-Speak, says about seeing a hawk.
Spirit vision and guardianship surround you. Be patient and observe. You will see the opportunities. Signs are clear.
Enjoy the weekend!
Pause, relax, and don’t miss all the beauty surrounding you.
Driving Teton Pass towards Jackson from Idaho at sunrise is breathtaking. For the last few years, we have made it a priority to get up early and catch the sunrise at 8,432 feet. Then it’s off to Nora’s Fish Creek Inn for breakfast! Don’t miss any of the best restaurants in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Our Favorite BreakfastJackson Hole Wyoming
Nora’s has rustic charm with outstanding service. The food always tastes like home. You can tell it’s cooked with love. ❤️
To keep us going throughout the day, we stop for one more cup at Cowboy Coffee Co. They are located right across from Jackson’s quaint town square. Jackson Hole has that magic that makes you want to slow down and soak it all in. The town square is lovely to walk around, shop, and enjoy the scenery.
The first time we went to Snake River Brewery, we were surprised. We knew that we loved their beer but we were not expecting the food to be so amazing! They make the best french onion soup and homemade pretzels. My husband loves their burgers and pizza.
Hand Fire Pizza located in the historic Teton Theater offers a fun location with delicious pizza. We were impressed with the level of service. We sat at the bar and enjoyed conversations with the manager and bartender. It’s always nice to get tips and ideas from the locals!
For dessert, stop by the Jackson Drug for an ice cream cone. The first Jackson Drug opened in 1919 and closed its doors in 2001. In 2016, Nikki and Jessica Gill reopened bringing back a piece of Jackson’s past. You can read all about the history and their story here.
While in Jackson, you have to stop at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. You can literally saddle up at the bar. Check out amazing live music and hit the dance floor.
Other mentions that I didn’t get pictures because we were too busy enjoying ourselves. 🙂 Cafe Genevieve is our favorite! Every meal has been delicious, it’s cozy and quaint, with excellent service. You can sit outside on the porch with your dog too.
We also always have a great time at the Silver Dollar Bar at the Wort Hotel. If you’re there on a Tuesday, make sure to stop in and enjoy the locals two stepping around the dance floor.
