| Wish You Were Here
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A great thing about my job is that I get to travel to unique places and quaint towns across Minnesota. As I travel, I like to stop in at locally-owned establishments and browse for unique gifts for friends and family. It's a great way to spread out my holiday gift shopping throughout the year, as well as supporting the local economy.
One of the gift shops that I have visited is Someday Isle, in Isle, MN. This unique store located on Main Street, just a couple of blocks from Lake Mille Lacs, and on the Tamarack Green Route, features pottery, woven rugs, jewelry and other items made by local artists. Venture across the street and visit the Mille Lacs Area Food Co-op, which proudly claims to be the last volunteer food co-op in the country! Just west of town lies Father Hennepin State Park. This lakeside state park, known for its sandy beaches and hiking trails, is also home to several of the elusive albino or white deer.
East of Isle, and just off Interstate 35 near Sandstone, is the Audubon Center of the North Woods. This non-profit environmental learning center hosts retreats, conferences and monthly Dinners at the Lake events. If ice climbing is your gig, be sure to check out the Quarry at Robinson Park in Sandstone. Earlier this month, the Quarry hosted the 3rd annual Sandstone Ice Fest - a growing, nationally recognized ice climbing event - right in our own back yard!
All of these destinations are located within in an hour and a half to two hours from the Twin Cities, depending on where you are traveling. Whether you want to take a day trip or perhaps a long weekend, Green Routes can help you with your itinerary.
Christy - Renewing the Countryside Staffer
Travelers Needed!
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 her at margaret@rtcinfo.org to set up a breif phone interview.
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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
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XC Skiing
While last month we touched upon some of the most enjoyable ways to venture outside in the Minnesota winter, in this and the coming issues we plan to expand on some of those activities, getting you everything you need to know to plan your next winter adventure. Minnesota is filled with beautiful country to explore, and to glide over the sparkling white snow on Nordic skis is an incomparable way to do it.
Types of Skiing
For the recreational enthusiast, there are two main types of skiing to consider: classic skiing and skating.
Classic skiing is the more popular style, especially for recreational or beginner skiers. Trails for classic skiing are groomed with tracks to guide skiers along the trail. Skiing in the tracks is recommended for maximal efficiency, but leaving the tracks is often necessary to climb steep hills. Classic skiing is also more versatile because it can be done in places with no trail.
Skating, as with classic skiing, will provide an incomparable workout, and is quite a thrill as it often allows you to ski at a faster pace. Skate skiing is dependent on a well-groomed trail so it's best not to test out any backcountry action of skate skis. While it is a bit more difficult to master, skate skiing is a great alternative to the classical style and the two techniques are highly complimentary when mastering speed and efficiency on the snow.
Equipment you need
There are four main components to a cross-country ski package: skis, boots, bindings, and poles. When buying or renting skis, first think about the terrain you are looking to traverse, and find skis that are suited to the places you wish to ski. Find a good fitting boot. Your toes should gently graze the end of the boot and the heels should remain flat when you flex the boot at the toe. There are a few comparable binding systems on the market, but it is generally best to find a good fitting boot, and get the binding system to match it. Poles for classic skiing should reach anywhere between the armpit and shoulder, while poles for skating should reach between the mouth and the eyes.
Hopefully this short introduction leaves you better equipped to outfit your cross-country ski equipment this winter. Remember, the only way to beat cabin fever is to get out and use the daylight we have. Some cross-country ski areas even have lights to guide skiers by night. For a special treat, check your calendar for full moons. There is no better way to enjoy Minnesota winter than gliding quietly over the snow on a cloudless moonlit night.
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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! Inspecting Carol
Commonweal Theater Company
Now - Dec. 23
208 Parkway Avenue North, Lanesboro
http://www.commonwealtheatre.org/carol.html
All From One Tree Art Exhibit
Tokheim Stoneware
Now - Dec. 30
2057 361st Ave, Dawson
http://www.tokheim-stoneware.com/
BWCAW Permit Lottery Application Deadline
Dec. 1, 2007 - Jan. 10, 2008
Apply online - details at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior/
Winter Solstice Concert
Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post
Dec. 21 6 to 8 p.m.
Onamia, MN
http://events.mnhs.org/calendar/Results.cfm?EventID=2993&CFID=2688754&CFTOKEN=18915657
School Break Week Activities
Great Lakes Aquarium
Dec. 26-30
http://www.glaquarium.org/events/calendar.html
Zoo Year's Eve
Lake Superior Zoo
Dec. 31, 2-5pm
http://www.lszoo.org/zooyearseve.htm
Concert: Bill Isles with Kate Isles
Crossings at Carnegie
320 E. Ave
Zumbrota, MN
507.732.7616
Jan. 5 7:30 pm
http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/page0003.html
Concert: Peter Ostroushko and Sam Miltich
Crossings at Carnegie
320 E. Ave
Zumbrota, MN
507.732.7616
Jan. 11 7:30 pm
http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/page0003.html
Big Stone Lake Sno-Rider Fun Run
Big Stone Lake Area
Jan. 20th
http://www.bigstonelake.com/calendar_of_events.htm
Plan Ahead
Wolf country Learning Vacations
International Wolf Center
Various Weekends in January and February
Reservations and deposit required.
http://www.wolf.org/wolves/index.asp
Superior Hiking Trail Guided Hike
Skyline Pakway at Highland/Getchell to Skyline overlook parking lot
Feb. 23
Check back on their website for details
http://www.shta.org/Events/GuidedHikes.php
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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