TRACY SEES STUFF 👀

Tag: inspiration

  • 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

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Force of Nature

    Force of Nature

    Be like the river.

    Create your own path.

    People will doubt you but they don’t know what you’ve been through or your strength.

    Many have doubted the water but she always finds her way.

    xo

    ©Tracy Blowers

  • Best Friends Animal Society – Allen

    Best Friends Animal Society – Allen

    Every year while volunteering at Best Friends Animal Society, we (of course!) discuss getting another dog or cat. We rescued our girl, Utah, when she was a puppy and this time we wanted to rescue an older dog. Utah has health issues so we knew it had to be the perfect fit.

    While volunteering, we walked and met lots of dogs in search of Utah’s new sibling. Click their name below each photo to learn more about them.

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    This is sweet Corban.
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    Agatha

    I fell in love with Agatha but we felt she wasn’t the right match for Utah which was heartbreaking. I did sponsor Agatha. Sponsoring is a great option if you’re not ready to adopt. You can read more about that at Best Friends Animal Society.

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    Marcie

    Marcie was amazing too! We had so much fun together but she likes to be the only dog in the pack. If you want to be a one dog family, check her out.

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    Manny

    Manny was hilarious! He would keep you on your toes and laughing all day.  We loved ALL of these dogs so much and it was so hard as always not taking all of them home.

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    As our time to leave approached, we were having a hard time making a decision. We stopped at Dogtown Headquarters to visit Kristi, who helped us with adopting Utah. When I walked in, there was Allen sitting behind the help desk. I felt an immediate strong connection to him! The crazy thing is that he arrived at Best Friends the same day that we arrived. I think it was meant to be.

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    We set up a time for him and Utah to meet and the rest is history! Allen has been a light for Utah. They have so much fun playing together. Utah has been playing more and even eating better. I couldn’t be more thankful.

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    As I always say…we rescue them but I think that they really rescue US.

    Happy National Pet Month!

    Best Friends Animal Society is the largest no-kill sanctuary in the Nation. Their mission is to SAVE THEM ALL and someday live in a world where there are no homeless pets. The sanctuary is a little heaven on earth.

    If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring or donating – visit their website at bestfriends.org.

    ©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

     

     

     

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