MINNEAPOLIS— Traveling around the world can get quite expensive, but Minnesota and areas in the upper Midwest have gems that are just a car ride away.
Consider the state’s own national park – Voyageurs – which reflects the bold beauty of the Pacific Northwest. If you’ve ever contemplated the scale of places like the Grand Canyon, the Badlands of South Dakota might be the place to visit. If you long for vast majestic wonders like Yellowstone or the California coast, consider the Black Hills, with Yosemite-like rock formations jutting out of the landscape.
If you want to be completely immersed in nature, you can visit a peaceful little house on Samsara Ridge, located in the land just outside Taylors Falls. The warm, simple interior is almost reminiscent of a getaway in the Scandinavian countryside or a quiet corner of Japan.
“It has a view of the river valley that goes on forever,” Julia Beasley explains. “Rolling hills and fields; it’s rich in wildlife.”
Doug Beasley, a world-renowned photographer, wanted to create a unique, beautiful environment.
“It’s a small space, but you’re just connected to the expansive views and this incredibly large property that’s all to yourself; they’re views for someone to gain some perspective on their life or their relationship, reconnect with the harmony of nature, and just get some of that beauty of natural immersion,” said Julia Beasley.
It is just a 10-minute drive from Taylor’s Falls, with canoeing, walking, horse riding and mountain biking within easy reach.
Across the state to the Fond Du Lac area, and within driving distance of the Twin Cities, you’ll find the closest thing to a private island.
“When I turned 19, this house came up for sale,” recalls Craig Semanas, who bought the Little Lake House in 1984 and slowly began rebuilding it.
“It’s like living on an island because you’re actually 10 to 15 feet from the water’s edge. There’s no lake house like it because it’s on a peninsula,” he said.
Yet it’s only a 5-minute drive to town, full of lakeside restaurants and entertainment.
And when you want to set sail, instead of hopping to Florida and boarding a giant ship, head north and board the cruise of a lifetime with Pearl Seas Great Lakes Explorer, sailing in May will depart from Duluth. . It can carry 210 passengers and its cruises run throughout the region throughout the summer, visiting ports on Mackinac Island and even to Niagara Falls.
And while European river cruises sound intimate, they require a long flight. American Cruise Lines offers Mississippi river cruises so you can set sail without stepping foot on a plane.
