TRACY SEES STUFF 👀

Tag: Hiking

  • National Scenic Trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin

    National Scenic Trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin

    It’s time for Explore Local Together Episode 8! Did you know that we have easy access to TWO Regional National Scenic Trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin? This week we are talking about National Trails Day® including interviews with the Ice Age Trail Alliance and North Country Trail Association. If you’re visiting from the podcast, thank you for listening. If not, please join us! At Explore Local Together, we share local gems in Minnesota, the Midwest, and Road-Tripping the USA. 

    LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

    National Hiking Trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin

    National Trails Day® is about more than hiking, it’s about getting outside and experiencing the benefits of nature in a way that works for you. Whether that is alone or with your favorite people, taking on challenging hikes or leisurely walks.

    The beautiful Superior Hiking Trail is part of the North Country Trail. The North Country Trail is the longest National Scenic Trail in America. It offers diverse landscapes stretching 4,800 miles across eight states (North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont). This trail features every landscape, from the rugged shorelines of the three largest Great Lakes and glacial valleys with waterfalls to farmlands and prairies.

    The Ice Age Trail is a 1,000-mile footpath in Wisconsin. It follows the path that the glaciers carved through rocky terrain, prairies, and forests. Both of these trails offer something for everyone including hiking, picnicking, birding, and camping. The trails bring you to parks, towns, rivers, and lakes. The possibilities are endless of things to do and ways to get outside.

    Hear our combined interview with  Melissa Pierick, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, from the Ice Age Trail Alliance and Kate Lemon, Marketing + Communications Coordinator, with North Country Trail Association talking about both Regional National Scenic Trails. Both trails recently became part of the National Park system.

    LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

    Happy National Hiking Day! Make sure to get outside and escape into the beauty of nature. ❤️

    Adopt a Rescue Dog – Ruff Start Rescue

    We are partnering with Ruff Start Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society to feature one adoptable dog each month. We are passionate about rescue dogs and have two of our own, the Explore Local Together mascots, Allen and Carol. 

    Meet Phyllis!

    Phyllis is a sassy senior! She is looking for that special someone who understands aging isn’t always easy, she may not feel the cutest and therefore needs plenty of alone time, lots of naps, and tons of good food and treats. I feel ya, Phyllis! 😉

    Phyllis would rather take short walks and have easy access to her food and potty. She prefers to sleep near you so she knows you’re sticking around and likes to be tucked in. Phyllis does snore (as any self respecting bulldog does) so earplugs may be necessary if she sleeps right next to you. She likes to talk and will tell you when she wants attention, when she is hungry, when she has to potty and most importantly when she needs to be tucked in. Squeaky toys are her favorite!

    She is part of their “Seniors for Seniors” program where we offer senior adopters an opportunity to adopt an eligible pet at a discounted fee.

    If you think you are that special someone for Phyllis – visit her profile HERE and fill out an application.

    Things to Do in Minnesota

    Upcoming Local and Beyond Events:

    Here is our new Facebook group link! https://www.facebook.com/groups/804383574380433

    Let’s Explore Local Together!

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    ©Explore Local Together

  • Best Sedona Hiking Trails

    Best Sedona Hiking Trails

    Sedona Hiking Trails

    We have visited Sedona, Arizona, for extended stays over the years. One of the best parts about Sedona and the surrounding area is that there are endless adventures and things to do. Our favorite activity is hiking! We love how accessible the hiking trails are and the range of difficultly. Below are highlights from some of the best Sedona hiking trails.

    Views of snow on Courthouse and Bell Rock in Sedona

    Bell Rock and Courthouse are the first two iconic formations that you see as you drive into Sedona coming north on the Bell Rock Scenic Byway/SR 179. The Courthouse Butte Loop is a moderate 4.3-mile trail. This area is very popular so depending on the time of year, it’s best to go early morning (plus it’s the best time to beat the heat). We normally visit in January when it’s not quite as busy or too hot.

    There are pay machines for parking that take credit cards. Parking can sometimes be a challenge but if you wait a few minutes, turnover usually happens quickly. Another option is to purchase a Red Rock Pass to display in your window or America the Beautiful passes are also honored.

    Dog-Friendly Sedona Trails

    Almost all the trails in Sedona are dog-friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. Please make sure to clean up after your pup. #LeaveNoTrace

    If you love climbing rocks, Bell Rock Trail is the hike for you! Look how small all the people look in the picture below. You can see all of Sedona as you make the climb. This hike is considered moderate but if you’re afraid of heights, you might find it difficult.

    Bell Rock in Sedona

    Little Horse Trail tends to be our go-to hike. We love the views. This is a 3.8-mile moderate hike. You can make it easier by not going as far, the view below is less than a mile on the trail. It’s incredible to hike this trail at sunset, the rocks turn a beautiful orange.

    Picture of Little Horse Hiking Trail sign in Sedona, Arizona.
    Picture of man hiking Little Horse Trail in Sedona, Arizona
    Picture of red rocks at sunset in Sedona, Arizona

    I was super excited to hike Soldier Pass and see the Seven Sacred Pools. They are easy to walk past, so keep an eye out for them. There’s also a large sinkhole on your way called Devil’s Kitchen which is very cool. This trail is considered moderate but we felt like it was a little more difficult especially beyond the pools. We ended up turning around on our first hike (which was still an amazing hike).

    Picture of Seven Sacred Pools in Sedona, Arizona.

    Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Picnic Site is another go-to spot for us. This is a great area to relax, picnic, leisurely walk, swim in Oak Creek, or play with your dogs. There is a lot of open area with grass, picnic tables, and benches. All of this with the beautiful backdrop of Cathedral Rock. This is also a vortex site and a sacred area in Native American history.

    Picture of Cathedral Hill in Sedona, Arizona.

    My favorite thing to do is to visit after it rains and take pictures of all the reflections in the puddles. You have to find the perfect angle to see them.

    ALWAYS be careful after a rain, pay attention to the news, and ask questions before you go. Even when the rain stops, the runoff can be very dangerous and catch you by surprise.

    The staff and owners at The Hike House are super helpful. They will answer any questions and make sure you are geared up correctly for your hike. It’s important to be prepared even if you think the hike will be short.

    Another great resource is the Sedona Hiking App. This app gives you all the details of each hike, directions to the trailheads, and a map to follow as you hike. You can also search by the difficulty of the hike. For more details about Sedona, visit the official Sedona Tourism Site – visitsedona.com

    If you’re looking for other fun things to do besides hiking, visit my blog post HERE.

    Enjoy your travels!

    Please don’t hesitate to email me with questions.

    ©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

  • Bryant Lake Regional Park – Minnesota

    Bryant Lake Regional Park – Minnesota

    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!

    ©What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Sedona, Arizona – Hiking – Broken Arrow Trail

    Sedona, Arizona – Hiking – Broken Arrow Trail

    Broken Arrow is a new trail for us this year. We were hesitant to hike here because the trail runs parallel to the jeep path and we thought it would be disruptive. The jeeps didn’t bother us at all and it was fun to watch them cruising over the red rocks.

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    The hiking distance for Broken Arrow Trail is approximately 3 miles out and back. There are 12 parking spaces at the trailhead. The road to the parking lot is dirt for a short distance and very bumpy. There’s only room for one vehicle at a time on the dirt road to and from the lot so prepare to back up if another vehicle is coming. The trail is worth the little scramble of parking. This hike takes about 2 hours.

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    The 360° views are beautiful of the canyons and red rock spires.

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    Not far into the hike (at about 1/2 mile) you will come to Devil’s Dining Room. Devil’s Dining Room is a 50-foot wide and 90-foot deep sinkhole! The area is fenced off so you don’t miss it or accidentally fall in. 🙂 There are informative signs as you walk up explaining how the sinkhole was created and more about the bat colony that lives here.

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    Hello down there!

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    As you work your way up and you will see more signs for Chicken Point which is the top or you can take a side trail to Submarine Rock. Submarine Rock is a nice flat area to enjoy a picnic and the views. If you continue up to Chicken Point, you will also be connected to Little Horse trail to make this a longer hike.

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    When you see these views you will understand why so many old westerns were filmed in this area. You couldn’t create a better backdrop. I love the way the rock formations look in the shadow of the sun.

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    Almost all the trails in Sedona are pet-friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. Our little guy is having a blast hiking these red rock trails.

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    We always meet the nicest people hiking the trails. We met a professional photographer who offered to take our picture. So great to have a photo of the three of us on the trail.

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    Enjoy and keep on exploring!

    #WhatStirsYourSoul #RoadTrippinTheUS

    ©Tracy Blowers

  • Fort Snelling State Park – Twin Cities – Minnesota

    Fort Snelling State Park – Twin Cities – Minnesota

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    There are so many beautiful winter trails in the heart of the Twin Cities!

    We visited Fort Snelling State Park the day after Thanksgiving (we needed the exercise after eating so much food). 🙂 Minnesota state parks waive the entrance fees on Black Friday to encourage people to get outside and explore.

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    Fort Snelling State Park is where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet. You can hike to Pike Island where they converge and enjoy 3 miles of packed walking trails. You can also leave the park and hike to the historic Fort Snelling.

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    The rivers offer amazing scenery and views as you hike the trails. We loved all the reflections of the snowy trees in the water. There are 12 miles of cross-country ski trails and snowshoeing anywhere but on the groomed trails.

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    Fort Snelling State Park also links to an extensive regional trail system.

    Our favorite thing is that the park is pet-friendly! The dogs loved getting out on the trails and meeting new friends.

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    There is a visitor center with gift shop, exhibits, and flush toilets that is open year-round. We got another sticker for the Thule!

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    It’s hard to believe this park is in the middle of the cities and right next to the airport.

    Make sure to get out and explore the Minnesota State Parks and Trails this winter!

    ©Tracy Blowers

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