We are grieving. We are longing. We are dreaming. – MN Historical Society
1,000 hearts line the fence at Mill City Museum. The Minnesota Historical Society created this raw art installation as a space for people to share their thoughts. We are living in a historic moment. The world feels upside down but as I walked the fence, and read what people wrote, I remembered the strength of the human spirit. I laughed and I cried.
Stay tuned as they plan to expand this installation to other parts of MN.
Some express their appreciation through a gift, a picture, a song, or maybe a flower, sometimes it’s the simple things that speak the loudest.
– Johnny Fish
Have you visited one of the Fish Sunflowers sites? They are so beautiful and FREE! All they ask is that you share your photos via social and spread some joy. You can also follow along on their public Facebook page HERE.
Sedona, Arizona was on my bucket list and we finally made it happen!
To say I fell in love is an understatement.
The moment we got home, we booked our return trip. ❤️
We arrived in the evening and we were welcomed by one of the famous Sedona sunsets. We stayed at Alma De Sedona Inn in West Sedona and we were so impressed with their level of service. I tend to shy away from bed & breakfast lodging but this was a wonderful experience. Here are a few highlights…
Mornings at Alma De Sedona Inn start with their famous breakfasts. Again, not being a “bed and breakfast” person and a bit of an introvert, I was skeptical BUT it was amazing! We had our own table and the moment we sat down, they served freshly brewed coffee along with juice and warm homemade muffins and scones. You can smell them baking when you wake up! Next is the main course which is different every day and made from scratch.
If you are seeking spirituality or alone time to connect with yourself and nature, Alma De Sedona Inn offers a Labyrinth and Medicine Wheel. I took full advantage of both…it’s so serene in their gardens and such a nice amenity.
Medicine Wheel Stones
The property is so peaceful and quiet tucked back in a neighborhood but still walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and hiking trails. We loved the convenience of everything!
A lot of people say to stay in Uptown but we really enjoyed West Sedona.
Uptown is much busier and touristy.
Our favorite activity was going for hikes every day. We mostly did easy hikes because we were both fighting awful colds. They say Sedona has healing powers so we tried to get as much fresh air as possible. 😉 Here are a few of our favorite spots…
Cathedral Rock
Our first hike was to the Cathedral Rock Vortex. I could have laid on the red rocks all day. Such an incredible view and when the sun hits the red rocks, it feels like heaven.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Chapel of the Holy Cross was breathtaking. We were told that it gets very busy so we arrived right when they opened which worked out great. I would definitely recommend getting there early!
Lighting a candle for prayer intentions.
We also really liked the variety and different trails in the Bell Rock area.
Last but not least, the Aiport Loop Trail! The views at sunset are crazy gorgeous, there is a scenic lookout and a fantastic restaurant called Mesa Grill.
Other restaurant recommendations:
Creekside Coffee and Bakery (perfect spot to catch up on work and enjoy a yummy cup of coffee), The Secret Garden and Cafe (best rueben and coleslaw EVER), The Hudson (wonderful views, service, and the pork chop was out of this world – definitely need a reservation).
We also did a day trip to Jerome, Arizona and ate at The Mine for breakfast. Jerome is an artsy, old town with so much character and the drive up is something to see!
We also loved going for a walk by the river at L’Auberge Restaurant. We had an incredible hamburger and bloody mary’s for lunch. It’s a treat to sit outside and enjoy the gorgeous views and comfy couches!
My last recommendation is the Myofascial Release Treatment Center. This therapy was my saving grace after being diagnosed with Dystonia. Whether you are battling health issues or just tired after a hike…this is the perfect place to heal.
I can’t wait to go back and explore because I know we barely scratched the surface!
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you have recommendations.
Happy traveling!
This post was originally created in 2018. We’ve been back to Sedona each year since this original trip. See blog for more posts about Sedona.
When I look back, I realize that it was during the hardest times in my life that I put roots down, grew stronger, and found solid ground (even though I didn’t know it at the time). That probably doesn’t feel possible right now. It is hard to see clear when we are in the middle of a storm.
We grow through every experience. If we pay attention, we can see the beauty in the struggle. That doesn’t mean that we should ignore the pain or be positive all the time. It means learning from the challenges, searching for new ways to survive, and taking the opportunity to reinvent ourselves. We have this one precious life to live.
As humans, we can be stubborn and blind to what is right in front of us. We are all moving too fast. We don’t want to slow down because then we are forced to look inward, to face our problems…insecurities, sadness, anxiety. What we don’t realize is that it is in the slowing down that we can heal. If we don’t “feed and water” ourselves, how can we move forward? How can we truly grow as people…as a community…as a country?
If you’re feeling sad, look around today and find one simple thing that has brought you joy in the last week. That one thing is a start, something to build upon. Look inward and think about what has felt good…what has “stirred your soul”. That is the place to plant your roots and grow. When I’m struggling, I hold onto to what stirs my soul and it brings my life back into focus. Keep searching for that light… ❤️
Recent photo shoot at Birdtown Flats in Robbinsdale for social media use.
Birdtown Flats is a new community offering studios, one, and two-bedroom apartments for rent. With its convenient location in downtown and a long list of exclusive amenities, their unique homes strike the perfect balance between active and relaxed. They are also pet-friendly!
I’m honored to be working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities as an event photographer. Here are a few photos from their recent Spring Thaw event (March 7th – my last event before the pandemic) at the new beautiful Quincy Hall. The band Consolation Champ was awesome!
The event was catered by CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar. I loved their creativity with the food and making it easy for people to grab and mingle.
Other restaurant recommendations:
