A Snow-filled Nature Fix

When Dan and I planned our Christmas getaway (aka our gifts to each other) in early November, we were dreaming of the perfect winter wonderland.  It had been an unusually warm November and early December here in Iowa City, so, call us crazy, we wanted to find winter.  We wanted to watch the snow fall, go out (in layers) for a snow adventure, and then cozy up next to a warm fireplace with hot tea. Since neither of us have been further north than Minneapolis, we really had no idea what to expect when we booked the Grand Superior Lodge, but turns out...IT WAS PERFECT.  Tucked away in tiny Castle Danger, Minnesota right along the stunning Lake Superior we found our DREAM winter vacation.

After a quick trip to the Spoon Bridge, dinner at the HIPPEST vegan joint in town (shout out to J. Selby's), and a one-night stay at a beautiful mansion (an awesome AirBnB find), we hit the road for the 3-hour trip even further north to Castle Danger. With a total of 8 hours on the road, we passed the time by listening to some STELLAR podcasts. Do you love podcasts? Do you love musicals? Then, trust me, you will freakin' LOVE 36 Questions--the musical PODCAST!  I know, you're thinking...how can a musical podcast be quality entertainment with only audio? No. Trust me, trust me, trust me. It's fantastic! Dan loved it too!

Had to get my Spoon Bridge pic in (Minneapolis, MN)

We spent the first evening settling in at the lodge by exploring around the lodge but woke up early the next morning to see the sunrise.  Snow was perfectly falling while the steam was perfectly rising off the lake.  SO BEAUTIFUL! And because it was snowing, the temp was warm than the day before...above zero!  It was...dare I say, pleasant (when properly dressed in layers).

We drove into Two Harbors (a "big" town nearby) and rented fat bikes from the local bike shop, Spoken Gear (which, as turns out, makes the SWEET custom CEDAERO bags that we've been seeing on popular bike blogs). Then we went out, upon recommendation from the bike shop guys, to the Demonstration Forest for a few hours of crisp (ok, cold) air and snowy riding. And I have to admit (as a former fat bike hater)...the fat bikes were a blast! Biking is already an empowering activity for me, but there was something about riding with the huge tires that made the experience even more empowering. It was unbelievably fun to crunch through the snow-packed forest with the fat bikes. Everyone needs to try!

This trip was exactly what I needed to pull out of the wintertime blues (all you Midwest survivors know what I'm talking about), which I inevitably fall victim to each year. Over Thanksgiving break, I read a fascinating book called The Nature Fix which really got me thinking about how my mood correlates with the amount of time I spend in nature. I've always known that my mood changes (for the better) when I'm out camping or riding my bike, but I had never really thought that nature itself could be the reason for feeling better; I just always associated my improved mood with the fact that I was exercising or that it was the weekend or that I laughed a lot with the good company joining me. All of which are still valid factors, but after reading this book, I learned about some cool research behind how nature itself can "fix" us. Have you heard of the Nature Pyramid? Me neither until I read this book.  Check it out, friends! We are taught as kids about the food pyramid, but why aren't we taught about the nature pyramid?  We, as humans, NEED time in nature to stay healthy (physically, mentally, and spiritually). And just like carbs, fruits, veggies, and proteins, we need regular, consistent, and INTENTIONAL time in nature--starting with several small doses every day (walking to work, lunch breaks outside, etc) and in bigger doses every week, month, and year. Vacations to new cities can be exciting, but in the end, a city is a city is a city. And a city is the opposite of nature and simply cannot give us what our body needs...craves.

This book and this winter vacation has taught me to be more mindful about how much time I choose to spend in nature. Even during single digit temps, being outside had an UNDENIABLE positive impact on my mood. So here's the real lesson: I must be more intentional about getting nature fixes in this winter...my mental health depends on it! And I challenge YOU to be mindful about your nature fixes this new year as well. 2018--THE YEAR OF THE NATURE FIXES! CHEERS!

Donald D. Ferguson Lake County Demonstration Forest

Donald D. Ferguson Lake County Demonstration Forest

View from Split House Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse

Salsa Mukluk fat bike

Peace, love, and (fat) bicycles,

Kelly

Raccoon River Valley Trail--Bike ExtravaDANza 2017

In honor of Dan's 29th year of birth, we packed up and headed to Des Moines for a Labor Day weekend biking adventure.  We wanted to squeeze in 100 miles over 2 days, so the Raccoon River Valley Trail proved to be perfect--officially an 89-mile loop from Waukee to Jefferson and back.

But before we took off on the Raccoon Valley Trail, we had to take advantage of our Friday night by doing a little night riding out to the High Trestle Trail bridge.  If you haven't been to this bridge, you need to book a trip before winter rolls in.  It is simply breath-taking.

High Trestle Trail, Madrid, Iowa

For the rest of the weekend, we mapped out the route to begin and end in Waukee; we planned to take the eastern leg of the loop, spend the night at the northernmost point (Jefferson, IA), and finish up with the western leg.

The first day was smooth sailing on the eastern leg of the loop. The trail was carefully maintained, clean, and charming as we passed through Dallas Center (stop for a picture in the big, red chair), Milburn (Nineteen 14 is a perfect beer/rest stop), and Perry (don't miss Mar's Diner). We filled up our tummies at the Mar's Diner buffet run by the three cutest little old ladies. Besides the adorable owners, it is also known for its broasted chicken making this is an essential stop for those who need a dose of protein to re-fuel before more riding.

Milburn, Iowa

Raccoon River Valley Trail

Dan booked the best lodging for our overnight in Jefferson--Little House on Russell.  It turned out to be the perfect place for 4 people.  The house was fully furnished with one queen bed, one twin bed, a pull out couch, and a twin-sized air mattress option plus it was just a block off the trail and only a few blocks from downtown restaurants and Hy-Vee!

We decided to try the local cafe, Uptown Cafe, for dinner---and boy, it hit the spot!  I think we all opted for the "breakfast all-day" menu plus a piece of hometown pie for dessert.  Since Hy-Vee was just around the corner from Uptown, we decided to pick up groceries for a home-cooked egg sandwich breakfast rather than hunt around for early morning breakfast option. I must admit, it was a little nerve-wrecking riding at night with eggs in my front basket--not for the weak of heart!

The next morning we cooked ourselves some yummy breakie sammies, loaded up our bags again, and headed off on the remaining loop back to Waukee.  We pushed through the miles and didn't stop until Panora for lunch.  We rolled in just in time to catch the lunch buffet at The Port overlooking the beautiful Lake Panorama. 

Looks like all was well and good, right?  Indeed, it was all well and good...because...that picture was taken just moments before I re-applied sunscreen and left my RINGS (yes, engagement ring and all) sitting on a table, outside the restaurant, in the hot, hot sun amongst many strangers.  

Yep, that happened. And it wasn't until 15-ish miles down the trail that I even realized what I had done.  Upon realizing this tragedy, I had to inform the group. We really had no choice but to keep riding (15-ish more miles) on to Waukee in order to get the car and drive back to Panora, so that's what we did.  The Port had closed after brunch at 1, but we knew the outside "tiki" bar was still open. We were holding out that someone at the bar had found them and turned them in.  

                                      

Raccoon River Valley Trail

The rest of the ride was fairly...silent (as you can probably imagine).  Dan was feverishly making phone calls to The Port (but to no avail), and I was feverishly trying not to throw up from guilt. But there's good news, my friends!  We went back and FOUND THE RINGS!  In the same spot in which I absentmindedly left them. Same spot. Same freakin' spot.

The reaction of the bar-tending crew, you might wonder?  "Ha! Glad you found 'em!  Obviously, we haven't even been down there yet to clean those tables! Ha!" And about not answering their phones for the past 2 hours..."Oh, well, the phone's all the way up in the restaurant!  We could hear it ringing!" We all immediately ordered a round of drinks to celebrate our good fortune and sat back listening to a string of stories from others at the bar about their own ring mishaps. 

With one drink down already, we headed into downtown Des Moines for a proper birthday celebration for Dan at Iowa Taproom.  Cheers to being 29 and wanting to marry an absentminded goof, Dan!  

Birthday boy

Near Jefferson, Iowa

And cheers to the Raccoon River Valley Trail--a great way to spend a weekend outdoors on your bike!  Check it out, friends!

Peace, love, and bicycles,

Kelly