5 Simple Items to Keep You Warm While Outside this Winter | Blogmas 2022

Posted on December 1, 2022by Elissa

Blogmas 2022 – Post No. 1

Welcome to December 1st!

And that means it’s Day 1 of Blogmas, which I’m participating in for the first time ever! Blogmas is an annual challenge that creators do from December 1st until Christmas. It’s mostly just for funsies, and to push ourselves. You’ll see bloggers do blogmas and vloggers participate in Vlogmas, or sometimes each will do both! I wanted to do this in years past but I couldn’t fully commit due to roadblocks, but this year – nothing is standing in my way! Except for myself, so hopefully I overcome this anxiety of not knowing what to talk about each day.

I mean, I know what to write about, I have what feels like an endless supply of ideas, but more so ensuring I carve out the time to get them written, formatted, optimized, and set up correctly each day.

I’m a little rusty, so bear with me! With that, I wanted to have goals around why I’m doing this – why I’m going to spend a couple hours writing, optimizing, formatting, and creating a blog post each day for blogmas. And those goals are:

To get into a writing habit,
To find my voice,
To challenge my way of thinking,
To become a more efficient and overall better writer, and
To find new ways to serve you, my readers!

Now that my goals for blogmas 2022 have been established, let’s get started. And maybe bear with me on this first one as it’s definitely on the extra rusty side!

5 Simple Items to Keep You Warm While Outside this Winter

1. Down Filled, Fleece-Lined Hat

You know how nice a puffy coat is in the winter, but have you tried a puffy hat? I just learned about them recently while on a trip and my mind was blown.

This down hat is sure to keep you warm while outside this winter, even on the coldest of days! Not only that, but a down hat equals lightweight and packable, so you’ll be able to easily stuff it into your pocket or a bag should you happen to get (dare I say it) too hot.

2. Fleece-Lined Leggings

I recently went backpacking for the first time, and the temperatures were in the lower 20’s after the sun went down (that’s the desert for you!).

Not to be dramatic, but, without these fleece-lined leggings, I likely would have frozen to death. Just kidding, that was really dramatic, but I run cold so I would have had a significantly worse time without these leggings!

3. Wool Insoles for your Boots

Wool is one of the best natural materials to stay warm on the cold winter days. Wool inserts are a total game changer when it comes to combating cold feet! Plus, they’re comfy!

4. Puffer Blanket

Puffer blankets can be used pretty much anywhere, and they’re super lightweight and packable!

You can pick one up in fun bright colors and patterns, or as a solid color to be more discreet.

I also have the Rumpl blankets on my 15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers gift guide, but I just had to bring it back for this post too, because they are just so great!

5. Rechargeable Heated Socks

And finally, I can’t think of a better way to keep you warm in the chilly weather this winter than to have rechargeable heated socks. Honestly, my least favorite part about the winter is when my feet are cold. I love being outside, but if my feet are cold, I give up. I can name dozens of events where I’ve been having a great time other than my feet making me feel miserable!

These puppies are on the Christmas lists of both my husband and my brother in law this year, and have already sold out once since being added to those lists, so it’s safe to assume they are in high demand!

Eric and I could have used these when we were dealing with the -2*F wind chill during the Minnesota Gopher football game a couple of weeks ago haha!

*This post contains affiliate links
Meaning I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site, which is paid directly from the company and is at no additional cost to you.
Be assured we would never endorse companies or products we don’t truly love and believe in 🙂

Gift Ideas, Lists, New, Tips and Tricks

15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers

Posted on November 16, 2022by Elissa

Got an adventurer in your life who you’re looking to buy a gift for? Or maybe you’re an adventurer and someone has asked what they can buy you this upcoming holiday season?

Check out these 15 gifts ideas I personally love and would even consider to be “life-changing!”

Most of the gift items below are super versatile, meaning they are multi-use, making them so perfect for those wishing to get the best bang for their buck. And best of all, nearly all of the below items are under $50 (and can be found on Amazon)!

And if I’m missing an item that you think should be added, let me know in the comments at the end of this post! I absolutely love learning about new adventure related products, especially if they can be used as gift ideas!

Click on each title below for more information and photos of each item.

One quick thing to note before reading: This post contains no affiliate links, contains our own thoughts and opinions, and contains links and photos that are not our own (but are used from the items’ websites to ensure the most accurate depiction).
Similarly, I do not own the rights to the below photos: they are property of the retailors.

The 15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers:

1. Puffy Camp Quilt/Blanket

Puffy camp quilts and blankets are only for those wishing to be the absolute coziest in the outdoor elements. Is that you or the person you’re shopping for? Then you’re in the right spot!

Puffy camp quilts and blankets are a favorite to those in the outdoor communities due to their warmth and versatility. You can cuddle up around a campfire, use them as a sleeping bag replacement, wrap them around you on a hike or chilly snack break, use them as a windbreaker, and so many other things.

Rumpl is one of the current most popular brands due to their partnerships with big brands like Carhartt, NASA, and the National Parks, and can cost above $75, but there are other reputable brands out there as well for a cheaper purchase.

2. Down Sleeping Booties

I just tried these for the first time in fall 2022 while backpacking in Utah. It snowed during this trip! But these booties were a true game changer in keeping my toesies warm on the nights it it dropped to below freezing. I’ve since added them to my personal wish list to now add them into our gear library as the ones I used previously were borrowed.

Grab some on Amazon here!

3. Foam Sitting Pad

Another life-changing yet incredibly simple must-have product is the foam sitting pad. That’s right, who knew a simple piece of foldable foam would be this necessary? The uses for this thing are endless:

Sitting on cold (or damp) ground
Extra cushion on your camp chair
Extra padding for sleeping
Small but mighty rain barrier
Clean surface for eating

And best of all, they’re inexpensive and, for those tracking the weight of their gear, are incredibly lightweight at only 54g.

Purchase one here!

4. US National Parks (or State Park) Passport

National Parks and State Parks passports add a fun challenge and exciting element to visiting the Parks! There’s just something really exciting about going to the visitor center and getting your passport stamped.

Since we live in Minnesota, we have a Minnesota State Parks passport that gets stamped each time we visit a new park. If you visit a certain amount of Minnesota State Parks, you receive a reward too, which adds another layer of fun. If you don’t live in Minnesota, check your state to see if they offer something similar, too!

And since we have a goal to visit all of the National Parks in our lifetime, getting stamps in our National Parks Passport is also really exciting. Each park has a different stamp design, and often they have multiple stamp options.

5. Reusable / Sustainable Silverware

I can’t even begin to count the amount of times it’s been helpful to have my reusable silverware on hand.

And reusable silverware isn’t just for the outdoorsy types. If you’re interested in additional ways to better the planet, using reusable silverware in unconventional places is one of the best! I’ve been bringing my reusable silverware to work since 2017, and can’t count how many times it’s been nice to use that over disposable silverware.

There are a few different types of reusable silverware you can carry along with you both out on adventures and in “other” settings:

While immersed in nature (lightweight, packable, easy to clean):

At work or on the go in the city (lots of options, easy to clean):

6. Buff neck protector

In my opinion, Buffs have been a game-changer in both the hot and the cold weather. In the sun, desert, or beach? Use it to protect your neck and face from the sun, wind, and sand. In the snow? Use it to protect from the cold and brutally chilly wind. In the summer and fall elements? Use it to protect against mosquitoes or as a way to wipe your face throughout the day. I have three, and Eric has two. We rotate them each day we’re out and about doing things as a way to keep our faces clean and necks not sunburnt!

Here are a few activities we’ve used ours for:

Hiking
Snowshoeing
4-Wheeling
Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
Backpacking
Sleeping (to cover cold noses and block out light over the eyes)
As a headband
Desert sledding and dune-buggying (keeps sand out of mouth and off face)

Find the perfect pattern here!

7. REI Co-Op Flash Hybrid Tights

It may seem weird to have clothing in a gift guide, but just hear me out. Have I recently found my absolute favorite hiking, rock climbing, base layer-acting, all-around amazing leggings? Yes I have. My only regret is that I didn’t buy them sooner. This isn’t even a sponsored post and I’m ecstatic to tell you about these.

I even recently wore them on a multi-day backpacking trip through brush and the backcountry and they didn’t tear, rip, become uncomfortable, smell, or chafe! They’re so breathable, comfortable, and stretchy that I’m going to go buy another pair because they’re currently on sale. Best of all, they have two great pockets and look great on all body types, too!

Grab a pair (or two) here!

Okay so this is the only gender-specific gift suggestion I have. But there is sort of a men’s version available too, you can view here.

8. Sun shirt/hoodie

Okay just one more article of clothing, I promise! Both Eric and I have sun shirts/sun hoodies and absolutely love them, making them a great gift for any type of adventurer. Due to their moisture-wicking abilities, sun shirts and hoodies are perfect for year round recreation. They keep you cool yet protected by the sun and elements in the summer, act as a comfortable mid-layer for the spring/fall season’s activities, and are a great base layer for cold weather uses.

Here are our favorites:

Here are a few activities we’ve used ours for:

Paddleboarding
Cycling
Mountain Biking
Boating
Jet Skiing
Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
Hiking in the desert
Hiking in the snow
Fishing / Ice Fishing
Sitting at the beach / pool

9. Annual National Parks (or State Parks) Pass

If your adventurer loves parks, then a US or Canada National Parks or local State (or Provincial) Parks annual pass will be an amazing gift for them!

One thing to note is that not all state parks in the US require an entry fee, so you may not have the option to purchase a pass in your state (i.e. Missouri doesn’t have a park pass option because they don’t charge an entry fee, but Minnesota does have this option).

Similarly, also consider whether or not that person is a traveler as not every state or province has a National Park nearby. If you’re not sure, a gift card may be a better option, this way they can either buy a pass or purchase park-related items online instead.

Click here to check out the US National Parks Pass options! Or click here to check out the Canada National Parks Pass options!

10. MPowerd Luci Inflatable Solar Lamp

This inflatable solar lamp is so lightweight and compact, it’s a wonderful gift that can be used in so many places! We have multiple, so we keep a few on hand in our camp and backpacking gear library, in our RV, and in our garage for random nighttime hikes/boat rides, or in case of severe weather.

Click here to purchase!

11. Micro Spikes (for walking on ice)

Anyone else get a little iffy when it comes to walking on ice, or is that just me? If you’re in a cold weather climate that’s susceptible to ice, this one may be especially helpful!

If you’re gifting to someone in a warm climate area that doesn’t get ice (or they don’t travel to icy places frequently), then you may want to skip this suggestion.

But micro spikes have been such an asset to surviving the slippery winters here in Minnesota, especially when we get so many freeze-thaw into puddle-refreeze weather cycles throughout the winter months. These are especially handy when ice fishing and winter hiking.

12. Lightweight Portable Power Bank

When you’re out in nature away from electricity or a charging area, it’s nice to have a lightweight wireless charger on hand. We are able to get multiple charges with each of the below power banks, and would recommend them to anyone in the market. Whether you’re charging your phone, camera, flashlight, headlamp, or GoPro, our two favorites have you covered:

1. The Charmast Portable Charger (weighs 0.5 lbs)

2. The Hiluckey Outdoor Portable Power Bank (solar charges!!) (weighs 1.34 lbs, however)

13. Quick Dry Mini Multi-Towel

Quick drying items are the best when it comes to outdoor activities. Not only does it save time, but being quick drying means the item has multiple uses: wipe down your face, your body, your dishes, your vehicle, your bike, your boat seats, nearly anything and it’s dry to use again – fast! Also, quick drying towels keep away germs that would otherwise grow on slower drying towels. Plus they’re always so soft.

One quick drying towel that’s stood out the most is the REI Co-Op Multi Towel Mini. It seems like it dries nearly instantly and only weighs 0.6 ounces. This little guy also packs down into its own bag so it can be stored separately and is easily portable while camping, backpacking, canoeing, boating, or in any other activity.

14. Sand Resistant beach towel

Similar to the above suggested quick dry gift, a large beach towel that’s quick drying and light is perfect for a day at the beach, or a picnic, or the pool, or on the boat. This one is also wonderful because 1) sand can easily be swept off without sticking and making a mess, and 2) it has its own stuff sack, making it small and compact for transport.

Check out the Nomadix Ultralight Towel here!

15. Reusable / Sustainable Snack Baggies

Reusable snack baggies are just as important as reusable silverware, and equally as useful! You really can’t go wrong with reusable snack baggies, but there are multiple options to choose from.

Some, like the Stasher bags, are silicone, making them slightly heavier than other types (if weight matters to your adventurer), but are uber durable and waterproof. I love their varying colors and sizes, and some even come with a carabiner so they can be clipped to a backpack!

Others, like the Jagrom bags, are incredibly lightweight, durable, and leak proof as well.

It’s also nice to have another type of reusable baggie that could be used for snacks, meals, or even to pack out garbage, would be the Sea to Summit Trash Dry Sack.

Did I
forget
a life-changing gift?
Want to
add
a life-changing gift?

Let me know in the comments below!

Or, looking for more gift ideas? Check out my previous gift guide, here!

How to, Lists, New, Tips and Tricks

Carry On Travel: 5 Great Packing Tips

Posted on July 11, 2022by Elissa

Does ditching a checked bag and using only a carry on make you nervous?

The idea of using only a carry on definitely made me nervous! That is, until one day I went for it and made the switch. And now I’ll never go back to a checked bag unless I’m packing for an extra-long trip.

It may seem like a daunting task, but you’ve got this! If I, a chronic over packer, can do it, you can too! You’ll be surprised at how easy it will be once you do it once or twice.

Here are my five best tips for traveling with only a carry on:

Clothes take up the most space in a backpack or suitcase (which makes sense considering that’s what we’re changing the most). Lay out everything you think you’ll need, then remove 40% of it. This may seem like a large percentage, because it is, but it’s good to note that it isn’t 50%. As an over packer, eliminating 40% of the clothing items I’d otherwise prefer to pack allows me to zero-in on what I really need to pack. Differentiating between the want and the need is key!
Simplify what you’ll need by taking a moment to really think about what you use on a daily basis. No need to bring that third extra pair of underwear on the chance you might poop them twice in one day for some reason (I always overpack when I needlessly plan for the theoretical emergencies or “just in case” moments that are 99% never going to happen – don’t do that).
If you dress in layers, keep in mind that you can wear the same layers for multiple days. I usually wear a tank top under different tops or sweaters, so picking a neutral colored first layer (like a black tank top) allows me to wear that same layer multiple times throughout the trip. Wearing the same clothing more than once also applies to other clothing too, such as sweaters, bras, shorts, and pants. Plus, it’s amazing what types of outfits you can come up with when there are only a few option combinations available!
If you’re bringing more than one pair of shoes, wear your clunkiest shoes (and articles of clothing) on the airplane. Shoes take up so much space! Wearing your clunkiest shoes on the airplane allows for more space in your bag. If you’re bringing another pair of shoes and will also have them in your carry on, consider using them as storage, for example, stuff socks or more delicate items (like watches or jewelry) into the shoes. Similarly, wearing your clunkiest articles of clothing on the plane will also save space in your bag! I usually wear my thick zip up fleece, which doubles as warmth (because airplanes are always cold) AND doesn’t take up any unnecessary room.
Consider different methods of packing. Using different packing methods will help you best utilize every nook and cranny in the bag and maximize your packing potential. For example:

- - Roll clothing to condense the use of space (especially for pants and long-sleeved tops)
  - Lay clothing flat to fill in gaps (instead of rolling or folding)
  - Put items inside other items (such as socks and undies into shoes),
  - Or a combination of the above

Challenge: If you’re still nervous about carry on only packing, try packing a carry on (don’t forget that free personal item!) well before your trip and try “living” out of that for the duration of your trip first!

If you’re stuck and need help with figuring out what to eliminate or how to pack, feel free to reach out in a comment below and I can help you!

Need more packing ideas? Check these out:

New, Reviews

Are you ready for the DICK’S House of Sport experience?

Posted on June 3, 2022by Elissa

DICK’S House of Sport is now open at the Minnetonka, MN Ridgedale Center, and you’ll want to check it out ASAP.

THE FACILITY

As you walk in, you’re greeted by a large Jumbotron screen above you that broadcasts both local and national games and sporting events. You’ll first notice how bright, open, and airy the store is – something we’re never felt at any other sporting goods store! Your eyes are then drawn to the large center display that changes seasonally with the fall’s best athletic wear and products.

Immediately to your right is a large service desk that is the perfect one-stop shop for all sports services such as bike tune-ups and repairs, ice skate blade sharpening, baseball glove steaming, and tennis racket restringing. If you have equipment that needs something fixed or tuned, they make it quick and easy to drop off and pick up right inside the store with an impressive one-day turnaround time.

Since this new store concept is only the third such implementation in the country for DICK’S (only others being in Rochester, NY and Knoxville, TN), the store is physically much bigger than your typical DICK’S Sporting Goods store. It is a large 2-story design (over 100,000 square feet!) with a tall rock climbing wall at the back of the second level that is easily apparent upon entering the storefront. The upstairs of the store is huge, with loads of apparel and a massive wall of footwear, the largest of any DICK’S store (with more than 2,400 customer choices). Downstairs is massive as well, which includes the newly implemented House of Cleats, and the golf center. The downstairs of the store will also lead to a 20,000 square-feet outdoor sports field once completed this fall.

THE COMMUNITY

House of Sport is designed with the community in mind. For example, the business invites local teams to come in and participate in various clinics, such as track and field or hockey. There are fitness and activity classes to sign up for as well like informational sessions and consultations with local wellness experts, and early morning yoga sessions (4 classes coming up in June, see schedule and register here!).

DICK’S also has started partnering with local brands to sell in store. The most recent addition is Honour Coffee and Juice. Throughout the facility, it’s obvious they care about being involved in the community. From the local brands all the way down to the wall graphics of local sports teams and top hiking destinations (shoutout to Oberg Mountain over by the rock climbing wall), you can feel how connected it is to Minnesota.

THE EXPERIENCES

Speaking of the rock climbing wall, it is a whopping 35 feet tall of fun! We were able to do some climbing during our visit and it definitely has our stamp of approval! Most of the routes (different paths that lead to the top of the wall) are swayed more towards beginner-level climbing, which makes it a great wall to try out if you’ve wanted to be introduced to the sport, but other routes have the size and features to give even experienced climbers a challenge. To top off our climb, the staff who helped us, Marty, was so awesome and friendly. You can make reservations to climb either online or in store.

Throughout the store there are specialized areas you would expect from a sporting goods store such as outdoor gear, equipment for every sport you can imagine, and apparel. The thing, however, we found that set House of Sport apart from other stores we’ve been in is the sheer number of experiential areas that have been incorporated into every area in the store. You can’t go far before being intrigued by the next experience opportunity.

Co Lab

Another great rotating space is Co Lab! Co Lab is a Pop up store style collaboration space. It currently features Hoka, as a 5k will be hosted in July at this House of Sport location in partnership with the brand!

House of Cleats

As you walk down the stairs, you’ll find a new area called House of Cleats. In this area you can try on hundreds of cleats to make sure they fit and feel the way they should. Trying on a pair of cleats is no longer the same experience it used to be when you try them on here – from the loud cheering and game sounds coming from above to the detailed real turf and bleachers, it’ll feel like you’re prepping to go out on the field.

House of Skates

But the excitement doesn’t stop at cleats. You’ll have a similar experience trying on hockey skates in the House of Skates. This is the first and only DICK’s specialty hockey shop and onsite ambassador. You also can’t miss the display of hockey goalie helmets painted with Minnesota themes by local Minnesota artists.

TrackMan Simulators

Another fun in-store feature Eric got to try out was in the golf center. House of Sport has an expansive golf section that includes a huge selection of all the biggest golf brands in apparel and equipment. It also has three TrackMan golf simulator bays. Eric tested out his swing while the on-staff PGA pro used the simulation equipment to track metrics such as face angle, ball trajectory, stance, and follow-through. The technology available at the TrackMan simulators can even track your body and club using the same motion capture technology used to film Hollywood movies (yes, you even get to wear the brightly colored sensors all over your body!). These hitting bays are rentable either online or in store, whether you just want to practice some drives or want to sign up for a clinic with a pro, it was definitely a fun and unique experience.

HitTrax for Diamond Sports

In the diamond sports area, you’ll find a huge selection of bats and gloves for all levels of experience for both baseball and softball. If you’re testing out a bat, utilize HitTrax! HitTrax allows you to choose what stadium you’d like to test at, then you can test your swing with your new baseball or softball bat and practice your swing on a tee, or, even better, this location also has the option to pitch the ball to you.

The Field

The Field will be a great addition to the store once completed in Fall of 2022. It will be a year-round sports facility, including a turf field made from ocean plastics and an Olympic grade running track. This space will be used for events and programming (i.e. baseball/softball training, yoga classes, fitness boot camps, youth soccer clinics, community gatherings). In the winter, since the Field is open air, it will be converted to a large ice skating rink. There will be a professional sound system, lighting, fencing, scoreboard, and the ability to divide into two distinct playing areas.

Footwear Deck

In the upstairs Footwear Deck, there is another unique feature in this space (which, did I mention, alone is 7,000 square feet?) where you can request your size by simply scanning a shoe and a ‘team member’ will promptly bring them out for you! When testing out, for example, running shoes, go for a test run on specialized treadmills that track your gait and whether the shoes fit correctly for running. The amount of footwear selection is staggering, over 2,400 choices, and DICK’S has all the top running brands like Brooks, Nike, Adidas, and Hoka as well as a dedicated basketball section for Jordan brand.

THE CLOTHING

Actually, let’s talk about the mannequins first. There are ~750 mannequins throughout the store that represent all body shapes, sizes, and abilities. It was a breath of fresh air to learn that all types of people are represented.

And while there are many clothing brand sections throughout the store, DICK’S House of Sport has three brands that stand out as their own.

The first is Calia. Calia is an exclusive brand to DICK’s and has a great variety of apparel for all fitness types and and lifestyles. It’s a women’s private label brand that includes swimwear, golf, and a maternity section. As someone who loves golf apparel, Elissa was excited to learn that this House of Sport listened to consumer feedback and has created the largest selection of women’s golf apparel.

The second brand is VRST. VRST is also a private label brand only found at DICK’S and has a great and versatile selection of workout and casual apparel just for men.

The last is DSG. This brand is made for the entire family, and is noticeably an inclusive and affordable brand for the whole family. Something we really admire about DSG is that 1% of every purchase of this brand goes to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation for youth sports.

You can also find sections dedicated to other large brands like Carhartt, Nike, Columbia, Cotopaxi, and more.

There’s even an experience to be had if you’re trying on clothes! The employees here are so helpful and nice, they are available for anything you may need. To try on clothes, visit one of their social fitting rooms and add your name to the fitting room door. Soon after, someone will stop by to begin assisting you with sizing, getting you new styles, and giving suggestions.

THE END

In our opinion, DICK’S House of Sport is putting an end to the traditional, boring shopping experience. To shop here is an adventure and an experience not to be missed. See you at the Grand Opening!

Lists, MicroAdventures, Minnesota

Minnesota Spring Bucket List

Posted on March 27, 2022by Elissa

Fresh air and physical movement are so incredibly important for our wellbeing. Spring is a beautiful time of year here in the midwest where the snow is melting, the birds are flying back, and flowers and trees are coming back to life.

Spring can also be a weird time where the ground is mushy and it’s raining a lot, making it a difficult season to think of things to do! And I would love to offer some spring activities for you to try. Keep this list close if you’re still deciding how to spend your spring days – there’s a free download at the end of the post!

Hop outside with these spring activities!

PLANT A TREE
GO ON A NATURE WALK OR HIKE
HAVE A PICNIC
ATTEND AN OUTDOOR CONCERT
SPLASH IN THE RAIN
PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN
GO ON A BIKE RIDE
FEED THE DUCKS (PROPERLY)
DRAW WITH SIDEWALK CHALK
ATTEND A FARMERS MARKET
PUT UP A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER

CLEAN UP A LOCAL PARK
GO GEOCACHING
GO FISHING
VISIT A WATERFALL
PLAY A YARD GAME
EXPLORE A NEW PARK
PLANT A FLOWER GARDEN
GO DISC GOLFING
FLY A KITE
GO TO AN ART FESTIVAL
VISIT A MAPLE SYRUP FARM

What are your favorite spring outdoor activities? Let me know in the comments!

Click here for free download!

Lists, MicroAdventures, Minnesota, Minnesota State Parks, New

These 6 Parks have the Best Winter Activities around Alexandria

Posted on January 31, 2022by Elissa

Disclosure: Though Explore Alex graciously comped our weekend, the following thoughts and opinions are our own and are not in any way influenced by these factors.

Welcome to Alexandria and Douglas County in Minnesota!

Located north east of the Twin Cities by about two hours is this beautiful micropolitan. Nestled within 300+ lakes, more than 500 miles of recreational trails, and over 25 parks (two of which are State Parks), there are endless recreational opportunities for all types of explorers!

Here are a few ways you can enjoy winter at six of their local parks:

Andes Tower Hills

Andes Tower Hills started in 1980, and has been an amazing addition to the community, hosting over a million skiers over time, ever since. Their mission statement includes “To offer a family friendly relationship building environment that creates positive long-lasting memories,” and you can feel that as soon as you walk in the door. If you can, try to speak with Tom “Hollywood” Anderson for a few moments – his father and uncle started Andes Tower Hills in 1980 – he was such a joy to speak with, and taught us so much about the facility and surrounding area.

With 15 downhill runs, there are options for all abilities! There are also four chairlifts equally spread throughout the hill, so we never felt like we had to wait to go up. Our favorite runs were Big Ben, Serendipity, Hawaiian Cruise, and the Big Dipper.

Throughout the week, the facility hosts hundreds of school groups and other groups seeking to learn how to downhill ski or snowboard, too. Likewise, they receive a lot of visitors from North and South Dakota due to its central location and proximity to those states. Due to their ever-increasing popularity, the chalet has recently doubled in size, allowing for even more visitors to rent, locker, eat, shop, and warm up inside.

If you prefer something else, Andes Tower Hills also offers snow tubing (and Neon Nights Tubing), snowshoeing, and nearly 10 miles of cross-country trails!

Eric & Elissa at Ski Lift

Skis on Ski Lift

Eric at Top of Hill

View of Ski Runs

Rental Skis

View from the Top

Big Ole Central Park

When you come to Alexandria, you have to visit Big Ole, an iconic 28-foot tall Viking statue on the south shore of Lake Agnes. According to the plaque that stands beside him, Big Ole was originally “created to accompany the Kensington Rune Stone to the New York World’s Fair in 1965.”

Big Ole Central Park is in the heart of the city, and a beautiful place to start your visit! In the snowy months, take the opportunity to snowshoe around the park, or stop by while snowmobiling on the Central Lakes Trail which goes through the park. In the summer, visit the Alexandria Farmers Market, have a picnic with lake views, or play a game in the green space.

Winter in Alexandria

View down Central Park

Trail Map

View of Lake Agnes from Park

Glacial Lakes State Park

Though we didn’t visit Glacial Lakes State Park on this trip, we did stay here back in 2017. I wanted to ensure this park was included on the list because we would recommend it! Learn more about our previous visit here.

We enjoyed this smaller Minnesota State Park, especially for its ease of access and navigation. The trails were a great mix of level and steep, depending on which way you went (unfortunately a trail map wasn’t available at the time at the ranger station or online, so I do not know the names), and always had great views and areas to explore.

There are also signs around the park to give you its history, so our plan when we return to this park is to check out all of the glacier-formed kettle lakes and continue to learn about the history of this area.

Winter activities include hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

Glacial Lakes Sign

Glacial Lakes Boots On Firepit

Glacial Lakes SP Canoes

Glacial Lakes SP View From Top Of Hill

Glacial Lakes SP Mardys Trail

Glacial Lakes SP Cabin

Glacial Lakes SP Signalness Lake

Kensington Rune Stone Park

Welcome to Kensington Runestone Park, one of Minnesota’s greatest hidden gems. This 300+ acre farmland-turned-county park provides endless opportunities for recreation all year long!

Here in the snowy months, you can explore the visitor center, cross-country ski, fat tire bike, sled, and snowshoe. In the warmer months, you can explore the visitor center, bike, mountain bike, run, picnic, or play at the playground.

We spent the day fat tire biking and checking out the visitor center. Our fat tire bikes were from Jake’s Bikes, and we were lucky enough to have Jake deliver them himself. You can tell the passion for biking that Jake has, and we learned a lot about the area and the sport by speaking with him beforehand. It was our first time on a true fat fire bike trail, so we stayed on the Olaf Ohman and Bifrost trails, which are the two beginner-most fat tire/mountain biking trails in the park. What a challenging and exhilarating sport! We’re excited to try it again someday.

Not only are there ample recreation opportunities, but this park is also the site of one of Minnesota’s greatest mysteries – the Kensington Runestone, discovered in the late 1800’s. More about this can be learned within the visitor center, which is heated and open year round.

Fat tire bike in snow by lake

Fat tire bike in snow by lake

Eric & Elissa by Bike Trail Map

Inside the Rune Stone Visitor Center

Lake Carlos State Park

This State Park holds a very special place in our hearts as Eric has been camping here annually since ~2007 with his “second family,” and I started joining them whenever possible within the last 10 years too!

Lake Carlos State Park is a great nature retreat for those seeking adventure in the Great Outdoors! It is nicely secluded on the north end of Lake Carlos, and offers many outdoor activities, no matter the season.

The wintertime activities the park has to offer are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Snowshoeing is open to the entire 1,231 acre park. There are 6 miles of groomed ski trails, and the 9 miles of snowmobile trails that are on the park connect to Douglas County trails so you can make an entire weekend from activities solely in the park if you want!

We took advantage of the good snow conditions while we visited, and strapped on the snowshoes to see what winter sights we could catch. It turns out there was lots to see, and we just barely scratched the surface. There were also many fish houses out on the lake, not far from the park.

In the summer, the park has a swimming beach, horse trails, and lots of boat parking for your summer camping getaway!

Lake Carlos sunset on ice

Elissa snowshoeing

Restroom building

Noonan Park

When you think of winter in Minnesota, you can’t help but think about pond hockey. And what better place to play than Noonan Park! During the cold months, the pond freezes over and is home to both ice skating and ice hockey, as well as ample snowshoeing and winter hiking options. In the summer, you can experience beautiful flower gardens with a lively pond, a playground with an awesome playhouse (the “Duck Inn”), and walking trails all around.

The Douglas County Historical Society shared that Noonan Park was given to the city by Philip and Mollie Noonan (a successful local businessman) with the agreement that the space would remain a public park. The Noonans paid for the initial landscaping and took care of the park from 1937 until it was donated to the city in 1943.

Duck Inn at Noonan Park

Ice skating rink at Noonan Park

Have you been to the Alexandria or Douglas County area? What parks would you recommend visiting?

MicroAdventures, Minnesota, Minnesota State Parks, New

Mankato River Ramble – a Great MN Cycling Experience

Posted on October 27, 2021by Elissa

It finally happened! Eric and I have been wanting to participate in a MN cycling event for years! We were even signed up for two, but life happened and we weren’t able to.

That is, until the Mankato River Ramble came along.

What an invigorating experience!

First greeted by the energetic and motivating volunteers, I was directed toward a large event check-in tent at Land of Memories Park. After checking in, I enjoyed some refreshments, snacks, and amazing live music before hitting the trail.

This is the first time I’ve ever done an event like this, so I was feeling a little nervous.

Though I did the smaller of the trails, called the “Minneopa Falls Loop,” it was one of the most diversely scenic 12 mile bike rides of my life. We rode through beautiful hills, to a waterfall, to a ski hill, and around through town.

And I’d love to share my 3 favorite views and experiences with you!

Stop 1 – Minneopa State Park

Biking distance from Land of Memories Park = 3.3 miles.

This was the most difficult part of the entire ride, so lucky for me it was in the beginning. If I’m being honest, I actually almost gave up on the way here! But I’m glad I didn’t because it was an easier ride once we got to Minneopa SP.

Eric and I bike often, but never in such hilly places, so I really had to fine-tune my gear shifting abilities fast. I have an older road bike that doesn’t shift as smooth as others, but once I figured those gears out, the rest of the ride was much more pleasant.

Minneopa State Park is one of southern Minnesota’s best kept secrets. Just 5.9 miles from downtown, be sure to have this beautiful park on your itinerary. Visit in the summer or fall to view the free-roaming bison, visit in the spring to see the stunning Minneopa Falls, and visit any time of year to experience their nearly 5 miles of hiking trails and endless snowshoeing opportunities.

Stop 2 – Mount Kato

Biking distance from Minneopa State Park = 4 miles.

The stretch between Minneopa State Park and Mount Kato were the most scenic parts of the ride. First following the South Route Trail adjacent to CR 90 (Hawthorn Rd), you will then connect with the Red Jacket Trail. Be ready and make sure your brakes are good as you head toward the end of the South Route Trail, however, because you do not want to be caught off guard by this frightening 5.1% incline. The breeze through your hair during this segment feels amazing, though!

For fans of outdoor recreation, Mankato has a great skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and biking mountain right outside the city, aptly named Mount Kato. The mountain consists of 19 trails of varying difficulty, from the bunny hill to difficult black diamonds. There are 4 terrain parks for practicing your skills, and 8 chair lifts to get you back up to your favorite runs as quick as possible. Open in both winter and summer seasons, you’ll be able to take advantage of the mountain no matter when you visit!

Stop 3 – Sibley Park

Biking distance from Mount Kato = 3.7 miles.

One of the last stops along the Mankato River Ramble route is beautiful Sibley Park. You first ride in from the northeast corner of the park, by two softball fields. You’ll notice multiple park benches along the Minnesota River to your right. Don’t forget to take a rest break and soak in those river breezes.

As you ride the trail south past the park shelter, you’ll notice an old log cabin with a sign in front of it that says “Ott” catches your eye. This quaint cabin was moved to Sibley Park in 1931, but was actually constructed in 1857 by George Ott Sr., who was one of the first settlers of the area.

Following the Minnesota River Trail through Sibley Park, you’re met with one of the most beautiful gardens in the Mankato area. One could spend hours wandering around Sibley Park and see something new around every turn. Visiting in the spring means catching the hundreds of flowers blooming. And visiting in the fall, like I did, provided equally as beautiful views as the trees change color.

Back at Land of Memories Park

Biking distance from Sibley Park = 1.7 miles.

I’m not in the greatest shape – actually, in the worst shape of my life – but it felt so invigorating and accomplishing to participate!

If you’ve never done something like this before, I would strongly encourage you to do so. Doing something that’s on your bucket list (especially if it’s been on there a long time) gives you that extra motivation to just try it out!

You’ll feel such a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, I bet you’ll want to try it again with something else – or maybe that’s just me 😉

How have you pushed your boundaries and tried something new recently? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. You probably noticed Eric wasn’t able to attend – this is because he broke his foot on a motorcycle trip a few weeks beforehand, but he was there in spirit and promised he’ll be ready for next year! 🙂

How to, Minnesota, New

Vintage Ski Boat Restoration

Posted on May 5, 2021by Elissa

I have always been a huge fan of 80’s and 90’s vintage ski boats. I remember regularly seeing the same old ski boat on my hometown lake as a child. The owner the boat kept it super clean and in original condition. It had simple graphics on the side with a mid-engine, direct shaft drive, and a very low profile in the water. I would see it year after year growing up and loved everything about it. I of course knew very little about brands and types of boats at that age, but my dad knew exactly what it was; it was a Ski Nautique made by Correct Craft. This type of tournament ski boat is what slalom skiers typical own, as they have tons of towing power, and are very light and maneuverable which lends itself very aptly to skiing.

The Boat

As fate would have it, last fall we stumbled across a seemingly fantastic deal for a vintage Ski Nautique. It was the 2nd model Ski Nautique ever made, and the smallest hull at only 17’ 6” length (plus the swim platform on the back) and about 6 ft wide. The power plant however is a 351 cubic inch V8 engine. From the pictures I could tell the interior was in rough shape from sitting in the rain and snow, but the exterior looked excellent. I really wanted this boat even if I had to put some time and money into restoring it.

When I contacted the seller, it was clear he was not ‘boat guy’ and had come to own the boat through the purchase of a cabin property. He told me he had dropped it off at a boat dealership to have serviced. It needed a couple things when he got it earlier in the year. The trailer received new tires the motor got a fresh 4-barrel carburetor. When I heard the effort that was already put into it, I decided the price was right, assuming I would need to put another $1000-$1500 into it for the interior, plus my time. So I made the deal and promptly started making a list of what it all needed. Mainly, it needed new floor and carpeting, upholstery would be a bonus. I made sure the stringers (think of them as the “bones” of the hull) were solid, to avoid a complete teardown of the boat was needed.

The Restore

First things first, I needed to rip all the old carpet and rotten floor out. Before I could do this though, I had to unbolt and take out the three seats and engine cover. The floor was so rotted out the engine cover wasn’t actual bolted to anything anymore, so it lifted right out. As I was taking out the “hardware” holding the seats to the floor, I noticed they were almost completely rusted away. Typically, all hardware in marine application should be made of stainless steel to avoid rust and corrosion, but there was plenty of hardware that was not done correctly by a previous owner. As I was pulling things out of the boat, I was happier and happier that I was going through so much trouble to do a complete restore, as opposed to only fixing the floor as originally intended.

Once I got all the seats out of the way I took what was left of the rear floor out. As I was shoveling out the debris, I found I large chipmunk nest that was packed to the brim with acorns and other goodies. I filled my 2-gallon Shop Vac multiple times with dirt, debris, and wood particles. Once cleaned out I assessed what I would need to fix the floor. I would need to do some fiberglass work, as well as use a piece of treated plywood for the main rear floor. The last step I did as part of the cleanup was removal of the original carpet. It was only lightly glued on, so it came out really easy, but it was old and falling apart so it was dirty and nasty taking it out.

With the boat cleaned out and with more working space, I took this opportunity to test out and fix any electrical accessories that needed it. I went down the accessories on the dash, with only about a 50% success rate. The bilge pump and horns didn’t work, and when I tried out the blower it turned on but sounded like the pulse setting on a blender. When I tore the blower assembly apart, I found more remnants of chipmunks, with the blower hose packed to the brim with acorns. I cleaned it out and checked the blower off the list. The bilge pump wiring needed to be replaced at the pump, which was an easy fix. That just left the horns, for which the problem was in the horns themselves. To fix, I opened up the horns, and with some playing around with the little set screw in them, as well as adding some WD-40, I was able to get them operational again.

The existing plywood flooring was really damp, so as I worked on replacing the floor, I had a dehumidifier and fans running for several weeks. I wanted to keep the internal wood as dry as possible to avoid rot. To get the plywood to sit level and at the right height I needed to cut some tabs out of the adjoining floor, as well as needed two layers of plywood. Because I didn’t have any existing floor pieces to model this off, I had to take my best guess on what exactly it should look like. I added the port hole in the plywood pieces and moved on to fiberglass. I have worked with fiberglass enough to be dangerous, and honestly this part took no time at all, except for waiting for it to cure completely. I used extra plywood to make mounts on the left and right sides and used decking screws to get everything secure. The back wall of the boat that sits behind the bench seat was rotten on the bottom so that also got replaced with treated plywood.

Originally, I thought I could salvage most of the vinyl and upholstery on the seats because the only real bad spots were on the two front seats. I did a complete 180 on that thought as I tore further into the seats while taking them apart. I found the name of a local upholstery shop and called them up. There was a two-month lead time on the seat skins so in the meantime I got to work on rebuilding the seats. I cut new plywood for the seats wherever there were rotten boards and kept a pile of hardware that I knew I needed to replace. The foam of the seats was all in pretty amazing condition, especially considering the shape of some of the seat boards. I took a trip to the hardware store with my assortment of crusty hardware, and the employees helped me replace everything with brand new shiny stainless steel. There was only one piece that I couldn’t get at the hardware store. It was more of a specialty hinge, and luckily, I have a great friend that sourced an exact match for me.

After rebuilding the seats, things were nearing the finish line as I waited for the seat skins to be ready. I started on the exterior of the boat and trailer to freshen them up a little bit. The trailer got new carpet on the front bunks, and it was missing a guidepost on one side, so I took the remaining one to a metal shop near me to have a replica created. I then purchased padded guides to go on the posts, and as a bonus they even say the name of the boat on them! As for the outside of the boat itself, I decided I didn’t like the dingy rope that was in the bumper all the way around, so I replaced it with a nylon UV-treated winch rope this is blue in color, and in my opinion really makes the other colors pop. The teak was faded and dull, so I freshened it up by applying multiple coats of linseed oil over a couple weeks to allow to soak in. Linseed oil is recommended for teak and the difference it made is astounding. Lastly, I touched up any black in the lettering that was chipping with auto detail paint.

I was able to pick up the seat skins in March of this year, so I promptly got to work putting them on. My dad made his career out of car and boat upholstery, so he gave me some industry tips and tricks, as well as let me use his pneumatic stapler. The stapler definitely saved my hand some pain, as I imagine I put in well over 1000 staples total, which would’ve been a nightmare otherwise! I went with a different color scheme on the new seats, with much less blue, keeping it as an accent. I think this really modernized and cleaned up the look of the boat overall. I added 1-inch foam as I put on the covers and it was a lot of work and time, but with plenty of staples, hand cramps, and a few choice curse words, I was able to complete them. If I do say so myself, even though this was my first upholstery job I think it turned out great.

The Maiden Voyage

Overall, I am so happy with how the boat turned out, and I am equally happy that I chose to put my blood, sweat, and tears into the restore. I estimate the total hours I spent on the boat was well over 80 hours, and I calculated a little under $1500 in materials to do the job. It will be so rewarding being able to go out on the lake for years to come and enjoy the initial effort I put into. I feel connected to the boat since I know it so well from the rebuild. The best part about this experience is, all that’s left now is to just enjoy the boat!

Camping, Itinerary, MicroAdventures, Road trip

South Dakota’s hidden gem

Posted on September 1, 2020by Elissa

Only have 1 day in eastern south dakota?

You can’t skip visit this hidden gem, Palisades State Park. Around 20 minutes from Sioux Falls, this park is a must visit.

Note: Something about the lighting off the red quartzite made the photos all orangey-red, and nothing could help them. View at your own risk! 🙂

Check in is 4pm, and a super simple process. With the global pandemic, you roll up to the ranger station, a park ranger comes out and takes your name and site number (if you’ve booked in advance) and checks you in and provides a park map. The entire process was probably less than two minutes, and we even needed to pay for a day pass!

Once we got into the park, we opted for setting up our site before heading out for the evening, knowing we would lose daylight if we waited to set up until we got back. Switching from full time tent campers to now glampers with our new (to us) Class C, it took us about 2/3 of the time to set up for the night as it would have if we had to set up a tent. Knowing we unfortunately only had one night at this park, we were off within 20 minutes!

After hearing from my sister that the Sioux Falls falls were a must see, we couldn’t miss it! This was the first thing we checked out once we set up for the night. The falls are in the city of Sioux Falls, so we spent about an hour and a half (round trip) checking them out—definitely worth the time and the stop!

The falls are massive. Definitely much larger and further spread than I would have guessed. And according to Experience Sioux Falls:

“The Falls of the Big Sioux River have been a focus of life in the region throughout history. Native American peoples were the first to visit the falls and bring stories of them to European explorers. They have been the center of recreation and industry since the founding of the city in 1856.”

After checking out the falls, we went back to Palisades State Park because we wanted to have enough daylight left to explore.

This park is so much more beautiful than I remember! I had last visited (also my first visit) around 13 years ago now, where a group of us went rock climbing for the day—we weren’t sightseeing that trip, so everything on this trip felt like I was seeing it for the first time!

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Fun Fact from my park brochure: “Geologists estimate the Sioux quartzite spires located in Palisades State Park are 1.2 billion years old.” Whaaaat! My brain can’t even fathom that. How awesome to be able to see and touch and sit on and climb something that old!

We started at the picnic area just past the 1908 Historic Bridge. This area overlooks the rocks and Split Rock Creek that flow through the park. It’s a wide open space to walk and climb around the beautiful rock, have a picnic, go swimming, or sit and observe wildlife. The sun was starting to set around the time we were walking around, which provided a beautiful backdrop to the park.

We spotted a trailhead not far from the picnic area that looked like it followed the creek. Sure enough, it did—an uneven/mildly scambly yet family friendly hike along the river starts at the Split Rock Creek Trail. This is a 1.5 mile trail that hugs the edge of Split Rock Creek and offers stunning views of water and rock face. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see some rock climbers along the way. We ended this hike resting on the most perfect sitting rock. We sat here fir a while in peace. It was nice. The park was pretty quiet for the most part during our stay, so it was especially awesome to be able to watch the sunset above the water without much disruption.

Perfect for those who prefer shorter and easier hikes, Palisades State Park has four hiking trails, three of which are all under .5 miles each. Split Rock Creek Trail is their longest hike at 1.5 miles round trip. This is the perfect park to meander around without an agenda to take in some views and listen to the birds. Such a hidden gem.

Click for Full Size
Click for Full Size

After the sun went down, we went back to our campsite to relax and set the RV up and finish organizing everything for the remainder of the trip. This was technically day two of our six week road trip (we are counting our drive and overnight stay at my parent’s house as day one since it was day one of being away from our home in the Cities), but we still didn’t have everything in its place quite yet.

We loved our quick overnight at Palisades State Park and would recommend it for anyone looking for a park with water recreation, rock climbing, short hikes, and a peaceful night’s sleep in a beautiful campground 🙂

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Lists, MicroAdventures

Kick that Cabin Fever with these Winter Weekend Ideas

Posted on December 21, 2019by Elissa

I love winter. But about midway through, I begin to hate winter. And by “midway though,” I mean usually around the beginning of January. Assuming cabin fever is due to my lack of keeping busy with planning fun winter outings, I wanted to ensure we were prepped with some ideas for what to do on those snowy weekends where we just want to get outdoors. This post provides winter itinerary options for an activity-packed weekend in southern, central, and northern Minnesota, as well as within the Twin Cities.

Let’s talk about these two scenarios: You just left work and are ready for the weekend to kick off… or HEY, you don’t work this weekend! What to do?!

Though I’m writing about Minnesota specifically, a similar itinerary could be modified for anywhere with snow 🙂 Don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like help with planning a fun winter weekend in your area!

Friday Night

What better time to stroll through some beautiful light displays than on a Friday night? We have so many great light displays in Minnesota, here are some that could be near you:

Southern Minnesota: Take a stroll through the Kiwanis Holiday Lights display in Mankato. Visit Santa & his reindeer, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and leisurely wander through the beautiful light display. If you’re not wanting to be outside and walk through the display, unique to the Kiwanis Holiday Light display is the ability to drive through it. Tune in to the designated radio station, take off your hat, and enjoy the views.

Twin Cities: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is one of the most beautiful Minnesota stops in the summer. Did you know, it’s just as beautiful in the winter? Winter Lights at the Arb runs as late as the first week in January, which allows ample time to visit before or after the holidays. This light display is walk-through only, so grab some hot cocoa, pull up your snow boots, and start to wander. Unique to this display, there is a night dedicated specifically to photographers, so if you’re a photography enthusiast, grab your tripod and head over to Winter Lights at the Arb to take some of the best light display photos you’ve ever taken!

Central Minnesota: Take a leisurely drive and Celebrate the Light of the World in Willmar. With 900,000 (that’s almost one million!) lights, you’ll definitely drive away astonished. This display’s history is special: it started out in a family’s yard and has grown to be one of the area’s best must-see winter attractions.

Northern Minnesota: Arguably the most well-known light display in Minnesota, and the largest light display in the US, is Bentleyville USA in Duluth. On the shores of Lake Superior, this light display will leave you in awe. Kids 10 and under who visit Santa can get a free Bentleyville knit cap, warm up by one of the 15 toasty fire pits, grab a snack or some candy, or look through the gift shop. Bentleyville is extra special as it is an official drop off location for Salvation Army donations. This year, they are offering a drive-through option due to COVID.

Want to see more holiday light display options in Minnesota? Check them out here!

Saturday

Feeling energized from viewing some AMAZING light displays last night, you are ready to get out there and rock this Saturday with more outdoor activities!

Southern Minnesota: Take a stroll through Rochester’s SocialICE festival. Dedicated to giving you the best ice bars Minnesota has to offer, feel free to wander about and try the various tasty signature drinks while looking at the ice sculptures and listening to the featured DJ.

Central Minnesota: Frozen lake golfing! A winter carnival with golf? Whaaat? Bundle up and head to Brainerd for the Gull Lake Frozen Fore Winter Weekend for some ice golf, the pancake feed, a scavenger hunt, food, beverages, and so much more! Join the tent party on Saturday night and dance the night away. If ice golf and a snowmobile drag race isn’t cool enough (not sure how it couldn’t be), this festival also has live music each night and lots of warming areas!

Twin Cities: Cross-country skiing at one of multiple Three Rivers Park District parks. With 70+ miles of groomed trails, there are plenty of options to keep you busy all day (or enough trail for an additional weekend, too!)! With 11 of their parks having cross-country skiing options, you’re sure to find the trail that’s right for you. What’s great about cross-country skiing through Three Rivers is that you can rent your own equipment for $12 (adult rate) if you don’t have your own! Many of these parks even having a warming facility with hot cocoa if you need a break (our favorite is French Regional Park)!

Northern Minnesota: Fat biking on the Gunflint Lake Trails! You’ve seen those fat tire bikes around, and now is your time to try one! There are multiple fat bike trails throughout the state, but northern Minnesota has the most scenic. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one from one of the many outfitters in the area. I was able to try fat tire biking for the first time this year at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area! I mean, how cool will it be to ride a bike directly to a waterfall?!

Sunday

Southern Minnesota: Snowshoeing through the woods. Albert Lea holds a special place in my heart as it’s my hometown, so I can’t write about the awesome winter activities in Minnesota and skip over the great opportunities for snowshoeing the town has. If you’re able to walk, you’re able to snowshoe. I don’t yet have my own shoes, but they are on my wish list because this recreation activity was so, so fun when Eric and I tried it last year. Through the Albert Lea Community Education Rock Gym, you can rent snowshoes for only $10 (or $5 if you get a punch pass), and there are miles of hiking spots around! Note their website doesn’t reflect snowshoeing as an option yet.

Central Minnesota: Did you know that ice drag racing is a thing? I had no idea! Luckily Eric loves winter activities and suggested we go to one of these. The Central Minnesota Ice Racing (CMIR) group has multiple events happening throughout central Minnesota cities where you can grab a blanket and watch the races. Adding extra fun to the event, the drag races held the weekend of February 22nd, 2020 included a pajama party. How fun is that?!

Twin Cities: What better way to end a winter activity filled weekend than to cozy up for lunch in one of the Twin Cities’ dining igloos! Freehouse Minneapolis has igloo reservations available through the winter so you can dine in the negative degree temperatures and not even notice how cold it is! Please note that, due to COVID, this is not offered this year.

Northern Minnesota: Of course, you can’t spend a weekend in Minnesota without skiing or snowboarding! Where better to hit the slopes than northern Minnesota? Lutsen Mountains offers awesome runs plus a gondola ride for those who prefer not to ski or snowboard. If you want to come here the night before, Lutsen also offers great lodging with ski-in/ski-out options so you can wake up and head out right away.

Minnesota has SO MANY wonderful winter activities to offer! Even though it’s hard for me to deal with the frigid temps and lack of sunshine, I’m vowing to opt outside this winter to kick that winter-time blues.

What do you plan to do this winter to reduce cabin fever and promote happiness?
Let me know in the comments, I am always up for new outdoor ideas!