TRACY SEES STUFF 👀

Tag: Hiking

  • Belly of the Dragon – Kanab, Utah

    Belly of the Dragon – Kanab, Utah

    Would you dare the depths of the Belly of the Dragon?

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    This “cave” is actually a manmade tunnel to redirect drainage from the upper canyons under HWY 89 to the North Fork River just outside of Kanab, Utah. The water created this ripple effect that looks like you’re going into the depths of a beast.

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    It is a bit of a shuffle to get down into the entrance but once you’re there, it’s an easy hike. Make sure NOT to walk through if it has rained and always watch the weather while hiking in Utah. You can make this a quick hike just to walk through the tunnel or if you keep going, you can hike another 4 miles to a slot canyon.

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    There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it does get dark. If you plan to hike through the tunnel, a headlamp would be a good idea.

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    We had so much fun playing around and taking pictures. There is a lot of graffiti which is too bad. Make sure to leave it like you find it. #leavenotrace

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    There is plenty of parking and this is fun for the whole family.

    To learn more, visit visitsouthernutah.com.

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    ©What Stirs Your Soul Media

  • Keep It Simple – Westwood Hills Nature Center – Minnesota

    Keep It Simple – Westwood Hills Nature Center – Minnesota

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    Keep it simple.

    The best things in life are right in front of you.

    I hear people say all the time that they wish they could do this or that based on what they see on social media. Today’s “Mondays are for daydreaming” post is a reminder to put your phone down and see the inspiration all around you. Yes, we can get inspired by what we see on social but if we are getting sad or comparing ourselves, we need to step back and keep it in perspective. We have to remember that everyone has different priorities and different lives but that doesn’t mean ours is less or more.

    It’s all about our view.  

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    The little things that we take for granted.

    Sitting on a patio, the flowers in our backyard, or a walk through a neighborhood park. I was thinking about this a lot after recent conversations and as I walked with Terry through Westwood Hills Nature Center.

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    Westwood Hills Nature Center is a 160-acre natural area featuring marsh, woods, and restored prairie. The preserve is beautiful throughout the seasons and provides homes for many animals, including deer, turtles, fox, mink and owls. (from Westwood Hills Nature Center’s website) 

    They also offer many programs, camps, and activities run by professionally trained naturalists. It’s a little piece of heaven in the middle of the city.  A perfect spot for kids AND adults to play and learn.

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    We saw so many turtles! The more we looked, the more we saw.

    The next time you’re feeling uninspired, take a walk. A slow walk. Take a few deep breaths and look around. Take your shoes off and put your feet in the grass. Even just 20 minutes outside can help stress and anxiety.

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    Literally, stop and smell the flowers.

    Have a great start to your week and remember to keep it simple!

    Your life is full of abundance.

    XO

    #iPhonePhotography #WhatStirsYourSoul

     

  • Visitors Passing Through

    Visitors Passing Through

    We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love, and then we return home. -Australian Aboriginal

    #QOTD #WHYIHIKE

    ©TracyBlowers

  • Teton Valley – Grand Targhee – Bluegrass Festival

    Teton Valley – Grand Targhee – Bluegrass Festival

    Driggs, Idaho is a hidden gem! ✨

    We always travel through the Teton Mountain Range on the east side and stay in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We started hearing great things about the west side and the Grand Targhee Resort music festivals. Their annual bluegrass festival has been happening for over 30 years. We couldn’t wait to check it out! 

    Processed with VSCO with g4 presetGrand Targhee is located in Alta, Wyoming, just over the Teton Pass from Jackson Hole. On the way, you travel through Victor and Driggs, Idaho. Driggs is only 12 miles from Grand Targhee and it’s where we stayed. We rented a townhome through VRBO which was a first and great experience.

    We arrived on Thursday before the festival and we were pleasantly surprised to hear about Music on Main in Victor, Idaho just down the road. We loved the sense of community, the fantastic food, and music. It was a perfect first night!

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    The bluegrass festival runs Friday through Sunday. It was so awesome to see some of our favorite bands in such an intimate setting! Fruition, I’m With Her, Marty Stuart and more. We were impressed with how the festival is organized and it’s the perfect size. Not too big, not too small and still a nice family adventure.

    We can’t wait to go back this year!

    Tip because we love them so much: The ENO loungers! I have neck issues and the high backs are so nice. They are super easy to set up, lightweight and have a great carrying bag. Plus cup holders!

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    Besides music, there are endless things to do in Teton Valley. Hiking, biking, floating down the river, hot air balloon rides, incredible food, and gorgeous sunsets.

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    Forage Bistro was one of our faves!

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    To learn more about traveling to Teton Vally, check out the Visit Idaho or That’s Wyoming websites. << click names to visit.

    ©Tracy Blowers

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Baker Campground – Twin Cities – Minnesota

    Baker Campground – Twin Cities – Minnesota

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    It’s a rainy day so I’m dreaming of camping, looking at photos from past trips and planning new ones. I love going through old pictures and reminiscing. One of the best things about living in the Twin Cities is the convenience of not having to travel too far to “get-away”.

    We really enjoyed camping at Baker Campground which is part of the Three Rivers Park District (offering 27,000 acres of parks and trails) and is only 22 miles from Minneapolis.

    The campsites are spacious, tons of wooded trails, and we loved being so close to Lake Independence. There’s so much to do that it’s hard to find time to relax! We rented their tandem bike which was so much fun. Another nice amenity is that they have rental equipment for almost any activity that you want to try. I recently turned 50 and it’s motivated me to try new things! It’s nice to be able to rent and try something a few times before making a big purchase.

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    This was the first time that we brought our girl, Utah, camping with us and the first time that Terry and I put up a tent together. (which you know can end a marriage. ;-)) But we were very pleased with our REI Co-op Camp Dome 4 Tent. It was very easy to set up…whew! There was plenty of room for us and we even brought Utah’s kennel in for the night.

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    I love all the different hiking trails and taking pictures of the wildflowers. The trail system is extensive offering something for everyone based on your skill level.

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    There is nothing better than relaxing in our hammock after a hike! If you are considering getting one, DO IT. I love the ENO hammocks because they are so easy to pack and don’t take up much room. They are so lightweight that you can just throw them in your backpack. I waited to purchase one thinking it would be hard to deal with and wish I would have got one sooner. It’s the little things!

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    Utah loves the hammock too! 🙂

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    What is your favorite thing about camping or favorite spot?

    Sponsored advertising content for REI. 

    ©Tracy Blowers

     

     

     

  • Warrior

    Warrior

    If you wish to be a warrior, prepare to get broken. If you wish to be an explorer, prepare to get lost. If you wish to be a lover, prepare to be both. -Daniel Saint

    Be both! Enjoy the day!

    This is Boynton Canyon Trail in Sedona, Arizona. The rock formation is Kachina Woman, she radiates beautiful spiritual power. This area is also one of the vortexes. The trail is right by Enchantment Resort. We had lunch there with these beautiful views watching rock climbers and then we headed out on the trail. If you go, make sure to watch for Robert. He sits on top of the rock formations, playing his flute, handing out heart rocks and sending the message of love.

    ©Tracy Blowers

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