| Wish You Were Here
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Travelers Wanted!
Have you been to one or more Green Routes destinations this summer> Do you have a story from your travels that you'd like to share with other green travelers in Minnesota? We'd like to share your story in our newsletter. If you're interested, call Margaret at 612.871.1541 or 866.378.0587 or email margaret@rtcinfo.org to set up a brief phone interview.
Responsible Holiday Shopping at Green Routes Destinations
Fall is a time during which we perform a number of annual rituals. The howling winds creaking through windowpanes means the time is ripe to dust off neglected winter clothing. It is also the time of year that we are surrounded by the inescapable craze of holiday shopping. For many, the holiday shopping experience is a joyous one; grounded in the spirit of generosity and sharing. For others, it can be a frantic rush to find original gifts for a long list of family and friends.
Often times our biggest struggle is to find gifts that are creative, unique, and hold meaning that will strengthen relationships and be cherished. Unfortunately, many shoppers rely on a last minute rush to the nearest mall, where we can find something for everyone. What we often fail to ask is: how can I find gifts that are unique and meaningful when forty million shoppers are browsing the same windows?
This year, we should all strive to take this approach, and we may be surprised by the amazing variety of beautiful and authentic gifts available just off the beaten path, and often crafted right here in Minnesota. For example, try a lovely drive through the bluffs of southeast Minnesota to the Featherstone Farm and Pottery. Here, Jeff and Tom Larkin have spent over twenty years crafting original pottery from the comfort of a renovated henhouse on the farm of their uncle, Ferman Featherstone. If the timing is right, you may even enjoy a festive kiln firing, where family and friends gather, eat delicious food, and of course you can get first pick of the beautiful pottery straight out of the kiln!
Alternately, try heading to Bird Island in southwestern MN. This quaint town of 1,100 is home to the Gathering Friends Quilt Shop, located at the only stoplight in town! Kathryn Squibb and Deborah Jacobs renovated the 1902 building to its original state and opened their doors in 1998. Since then, they have expanded to include a gift-shop and additional retail space in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.
These are just a few of the endless opportunities to find one-of-a-kind gifts made right here in Minnesota. Visit greenroutes.org for more details on the shops above, or search for more by un-checking icons other than "shop" at the top of the page and clicking "update", which will bring up all the Green Routes shops in Minnesota. MN2020.org is another great place to find ideas of Minnesota made gifts. Surely, the love imbued into the crafts created by local artists will extend right into the homes and lives of the loved ones who are lucky enough to open them.
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| Introducing... Green Routes Coffeebreaks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Are you and your co-workers interested in green tourism? Do you ever wish you could take 15-20 minutes out of your workday and think about something other than work, better yet, what your next weekend trip will look like? We'd like to come to your work and share a coffeebreak with you. If you can round up 5 or more co-workers who'd be interested in hearing about some of the great sustainable destinations in Minnesota, we'll bring fair trade coffee, treats, and a wealth of information on Green Routes! If you're interested in scheduling a Green Routes Coffeebreak for your business or organization, contact Margaret at 612.871.1541 or margaret@rtcinfo.org. Due to our location and size, we are only able to organize them in the Metro area at this time.
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Green Routes Travel Tips
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Embracing the Minnesota Winter
Among the many changes we experience every November, when cold temperatures make us struggle to crawl out from our blankets, one phenomenon seems to tear Minnesota society in half more radically than any political conflict. There are, it seems, only two possible attitudes: be exited for winter, or be bitterly resentful that we won't feel our toes for another five months. Whichever stance you take, winter is coming, and the more we learn to appreciate it, the higher our morale will stay throughout the season. Perhaps those who hate the winter have a few things to learn from those who find joy in the wonderful green recreation opportunities cold, snowy weather can afford, so long as they find the inspiration to throw off the blankets, bundle up, and seek out activities to enliven their spirits in the great outdoors. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started, and keep in touch because Authentic Traveler will be highlighting these activities and more in the coming months.
1. Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a joyous way to poke through the deep powder, immersed in long-lived native traditions. Try buying or renting a pair at your local outdoor store and head North to the Superior National Forest where you can find extensive snowshoeing opportunities. http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior/
2. XC Skiing
Another sure way to enjoy Minnesota winter, and get an incomparable workout, is Nordic skiing. Faster paced than snowshoeing, yet easier to enjoy on groomed trails, there are countless places to enjoy this splendid winter sport. The Minnesota DNR has a list of Nordic ski facilities by region and much more information at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/skiing/index.html.
3. Dog sledding
Mushing is one of the most unique yet rewarding ways to travel through the frozen Northwoods. This January, the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN will be offering a three-day dog sledding and wolf-tracking program, not to mention several other outfitters in the Ely area that can facilitate your next adventure. Visit http://www.wolf.org/wolves/experience/programs/programs.asp?program_id=274 for more information.
4. Ice Fishing
For those seeking a more leisurely winter activity, consider ice-fishing. In the land of 10,000 lakes, it's hard not to find places to fish. Anglers can choose from a whole spectrum of different facilities, from fishing in the open air to the comfort of a heated ice shanty. Visit the Fishing and Hunting page at http://exploreminnesota.com where you can run a search for ice-fishing services around the state.
5. Skiing/Snowboarding
When alpine skiing comes to mind, Minnesota doesn't jump right into most of our minds. While the hills of Minnesota are certainly dwarfed by the mountains of Montana or Colorado, one need not venture so far to get a taste of fresh powder. Ski and snowboard areas are spread throughout Minnesota, and many begin to open runs as early as mid-November. Visit the Midwest Sport and Ski Council at www.mnski.org to find places to ski or snowboard as well as many clubs and programs involved with the sport.
6. Ice-Skating
Few activities conjure images of past experiences so vividly as outdoor ice-skating. Both indoor and outdoor rinks are common in communities throughout the state, while I find ice-skating on local ponds or outdoor rinks to be an especially blissful and memorable experience. For those living in the Twin Cities Metro Area, the Minneapolis Park Board offers the following website to inform park patrons about the numerous ice skating opportunities: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=677.
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| Events - With a Green Twist
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When you visit these places, don't forget to tell them you heard about them through the Green Routes newsletter!
LSP Benefit Shopping/Dining Night
Ten Thousand Villages and Chipotle Mexican Grille
Wednesday, Nov. 28 5:00-8:00pm
867 Grand Ave, Victoria Crossing West, St. Paul
Inspecting Carol
Commonweal Theater Company
Now - Dec. 23
208 Parkway Avenue North, Lanesboro
http://www.commonwealtheatre.org/carol.html
Miniature Ornament Workshop
Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post
Sat., Dec. 1 noon - 4:00 and Sun. Dec. 2 10:00-2:00
Onamia, MN
Reservations Required - call 320.532.3632
Jaques Art Center Wine and Cheese Fundraiser
Thursday, Dec. 6 5:00-8:00pm
121 2nd St. NW, Aitkin
Advance Tickets $25
218.927.2363
http://www.jaquesart.com/Event.html
The New Sigmund Romberg Orchestra and Soloists presents Viennese Christmas
Historic Holmes Theater
Sunday, Dec. 9 7:00 pm
806 Summit Avenue, Detroit Lakes
http://www.dlccc.org/index.php/holmes_theatre/
Plan Ahead:
Winter Family Escape
Audobon Center of the North Woods
December 27-30
Reservations and deposit required - Deadline Dec. 17
http://audubon-center.org/family_camps.htm
Wolf Country Learning Vacations
International Wolf Center
Various Weekends in January and February
Reservations and deposit required.
http://www.wolf.org/wolves/index.asp
Have an event you think would be good for the Authentic Traveler? Send it to us at margaret@rtcinfo.org.
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| Have Fun! Make a Difference! Take the Green Routes Travel Pledge!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  We're serious about growing and sustaining our rural economy. We want to support small businesses and communities that have made a commitment to be more environmentally and socially responsible while building their local economy. Join 1,000 green travelers who pledge to visit at least five Green Routes businesses this year.
You can still pledge by sending us an email with "I Pledge" in the subject line. We'll send you a card to take with you on your journeys to write down each Green Route you visit. You can then send the card back to us when it is complete and we'll send you a free gift (2008 MN Cooks Calendar).
If you've already visited 5 Green Routes destinations, don't forget to send your card back (or email us if you've misplaced it) to get your calendar!
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Happy travels,
- Brett, Christy, Deborah, Jan, John, Lindsay, Lisa and Margaret
Contact Information
Phone: 612.871.1541
Email: info@greenroutes.org
Website: www.greenroutes.org
www.renewingthecountryside.org |
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