Hastings, MN Has Much to Explore: Vermillion Falls and Old Mill Park

Explore Love and Mystery at Vermillion Park

People of all ages will find something interesting or even feel the positive effects in the way they carry themselves while kicking around in this nature's playground at Vermillion Falls.  It certainly helped to have a pleasant spring day in April where the waterways have thawed and the snow is (hopefully) a chilly winter memory.

It's pretty cool to see frozen waterfalls in the winter, but the rushing sound of a waterfall in the spring really does something to lift your spirit and soul.  On this day I visited Vermillion Falls in Hastings, MN.  It's located just 30 minutes south of St. Paul off of Hwy 61 and 21st St East.

St. Petersburg, Florida: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Waterfront and Sunshine

 

A Few Morsels On Why to Visit St. Petersburg

If only I had more time, I would have seen and done far more in what this resort-town had to offer.  St. Petersburg is known as the City of Arts and its beloved 244 miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico.  On this trip, I ended up focusing my discoveries at a nature preserve, experiencing their downtown waterfront and soaking up the beachy vibes.  

Thank goodness for smartphones and GPS directions, as I navigated this area with ease and put 160 miles on my rental car exploring and getting familiar with this area.  With a couple of extra days, I could have easily enjoyed more of this "Sunshine City."  When visiting, be ready for a steady flow of traffic on the main roadways around the city and pack your patience at traffic lights.  Driving around the beachfront and tourist locations can creep at a "no one is in a hurry" pace and, of course, why not take on the same attitude.  After all, it is St. Pete, so capture the coastal beachy mood.

Graceful As A Swan

💕For the Love of Swans 💕 

I'm a bird nerd dabbler, which means I am NOT a walking encyclopedia of bird knowledge, but rather I love watching bird activity as they flutter about in nature or when they arrive eagerly to feeders. 

So, when I was told about the Trumpeter swans that gather at an area Minnesota lake, the anticipation of seeing these graceful swans was very alluring.

To me, swans remind me of a fairytale vision as they gracefully and elegantly glide across the water, often in pairs, which adds to their special love language. 

The Hard Path Quote

When you find yourself on the hard path that life often brings, do you frame it with a "poor me" narrative or do you discover the lessons and growth within the struggle?  The hard path kind of sucks when you're in it.  But, take time to reframe the struggle and embrace the new knowledge and strength that comes from it.

I climbed the stairs to the top of an observation tower to get this view.  As the cool crisp breeze grazed my cheeks, I took a look around at the wintery scene and I found it exhilarating.  I recognized how following new paths, experiencing new adventures and rethinking the struggle is absolutely empowering. 

The effort it takes by truly participating in your life is better than sulking as a bystander from the sidelines. 😎

Laurie