Travel Blog | Travel Near-Travel Far

Looking back at our first #Travelfar Adventure: a 3-month European Trip - Itinerary

Kevin and Roxanne

Sep 15, 20206 min read

Looking back at our first #Travelfar Adventure: a 3-month European Trip - Itinerary

It's been 26 years since Kevin and I took off on our first real big adventure together--- a 3-month trip through Europe

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The Big Bog and Carnivorous Plants in Northern Minnesota

Kevin and Roxanne

Sep 6, 20205 min read

The Big Bog and Carnivorous Plants in Northern Minnesota

The Big Bog is the largest bog area in the lower 48 states. Home to carnivorous and medicinal plants, the Big Bog boardwalk gives you a peek

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Isle of Luing: One of Scotland's Slate Islands

Kevin and Roxanne

Aug 23, 20201 min read

Isle of Luing: One of Scotland's Slate Islands

Luing is a charming little island on the western edge of Scotland and was a wonderful home base for exploring.

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We Are All On Stolen Land: Lake Shetek, Pipestone, Jeffers Petroglyphs - and everywhere.

Kevin and Roxanne

Aug 10, 20204 min read

We Are All On Stolen Land: Lake Shetek, Pipestone, Jeffers Petroglyphs - and everywhere.

Everywhere where we are in this country - and many others - is on stolen land. This is apparent nearly everywhere one goes. It doesn't take

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Lake Shetek State Park: Big lake, dark history and packing up early

Kevin and Roxanne

Aug 10, 20205 min read

Lake Shetek State Park: Big lake, dark history and packing up early

Lake Shetek is the largest lake in SW Minnesota and makes for a good base to visit Jeffers Petroglyphs and Pipestone National Monument.

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Seagull Lake Trip: BWCA from the perspective of a novice

Kevin and Roxanne

Aug 5, 20206 min read

Seagull Lake Trip: BWCA from the perspective of a novice

Kevin and the boys were making plans for their annual BWCA father-son canoe trip and I decided to tag along.

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Venice - that dirty jeweled city on the water

Kevin and Roxanne

Jul 27, 20203 min read

Venice - that dirty jeweled city on the water

But walk the same streets at night and you will feel the city breathe, relax and sigh

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Minnesota's North Shore: Top Things to Do

Kevin and Roxanne

Jul 25, 20209 min read

Minnesota's North Shore: Top Things to Do

Lake Superior, the closest thing Minnesota has to an ocean with rugged shorelines as well as rocky and sandy beaches, dramatic scenery.

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Kevin and Roxanne

Jul 21, 20207 min read

Memories of the Yucatan

Memories from a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico several decades ago.

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Blue Mounds State Park: Bison, native prairie, quartzite cliffs, and one brave pocket gopher

Kevin and Roxanne

Jul 13, 20205 min read

Blue Mounds State Park: Bison, native prairie, quartzite cliffs, and one brave pocket gopher

The abundant prairie wildflowers, the bison herd, and Sioux Quartzite cliffs are a few of the features of this park.

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Beaver Creek Valley State Park- connect to nature, disconnect from your phone, eat a s'more or two

Kevin and Roxanne

Jun 30, 20205 min read

Beaver Creek Valley State Park- connect to nature, disconnect from your phone, eat a s'more or two

A spring-fed trout stream winds through the park at the base of the steep valley, defining the interesting features of this park.

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Fort Snelling State Park at Bdote: Right in our Backyard

Kevin and Roxanne

Jun 22, 20203 min read

Fort Snelling State Park at Bdote: Right in our Backyard

The historic fort is up on the river bluff, while the state park sits below along the rivers.

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Top 10+ Grand Marais - Classic "Up North" Minnesota

Kevin and Roxanne

Jun 19, 20208 min read

Top 10+ Grand Marais - Classic "Up North" Minnesota

Grand Marais has so much to offer, from its beautiful setting on a Lake Superior bay, to it's quirky atmospher and shops. This town is the

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Canyonlands - Angry Toes and Quart Low go on a Hike. Or Two, or More.

Kevin and Roxanne

Jun 10, 20207 min read

Canyonlands - Angry Toes and Quart Low go on a Hike. Or Two, or More.

Over the next 5 days, we hiked primarily in the Needles District, and seemed to cover all of it on routes from 12 - 20 miles each.

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Mental and Physical Health Break at Afton State Park

Kevin and Roxanne

Jun 7, 20203 min read

Mental and Physical Health Break at Afton State Park

Afton State Park is an easy trip from the Twin Cities. Wear your hiking shoes and hit the trails that range from bluffs to prairie.

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Ghost-Quarry along a Wild River: Banning State Park

Kevin and Roxanne

May 24, 20203 min read

Ghost-Quarry along a Wild River: Banning State Park

The park straddles 10 miles of the Kettle River, which has carved out dramatic sandstone rock formations and potholes in the landscape.

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Sand, sand and more sand at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore

Kevin and Roxanne

May 22, 20203 min read

Sand, sand and more sand at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore

I remember first seeing photos of the endless sand slopes leading down to the azure blue lakeshore on a friend’s Facebook page. I was...

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Country Hiking at Whitetail Woods and Vermillion Highlands

Kevin and Roxanne

May 17, 20203 min read

Country Hiking at Whitetail Woods and Vermillion Highlands

Yesterday we got out early for our #travelnear hike, to try to beat the rainclouds and the crowd of people who have been getting out in...

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Kevin and Roxanne

May 11, 20201 min read

Hidden Falls Regional Park - St. Paul

This is a quick little jaunt and about as small of a thing as you'd want but does offer some interesting options and has some fun...

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Pula, Croatia: a must-see destination on the Istrian Peninsula

Kevin and Roxanne

May 9, 20203 min read

Pula, Croatia: a must-see destination on the Istrian Peninsula

Located in the norther region of Croatia called Istria, Pula is best known for its amazing Roman Amphitheatre.

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