Holiday Stroll 2019

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Wow, earlier this week I woke to a dusting of snow! It was beautiful in the sunshine but deep down I was wincing because I’m not yet ready for winter. (Hmmm……all of a sudden, I was wondering where my winter coat is stored.)  Winter has a way of doing that- it pops up suddenly, gets you scrambling and of course, Christmas comes to mind.

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In this post, I want to tell you about Red Wing’s charming holiday event held on Friday, November 29th, that rivals any quaint Christmas town in a Hallmark movie.  The Downtown Holiday Stroll and newly added Who’s Who of the West End District offers a celebration of yuletide festivities to usher in the Christmas season.

http://www.redwingstroll.com/

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Come and join in the cookie decorating at our beloved Hanisch Bakery, snuggle together while on a horse drawn wagon ride, be wowed by the fire dancers and wax nostalgia while viewing the vintage snowmobile display.

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Tour the Historic St. James Hotel, get a bite to eat at Jimmy’s Pub or the elegant Port restaurant. Hear the christmas carolers, see the train display and participate in the Festival of Wreaths.

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After you are warm and toasty, step back outside and dance to the live music, visit the quaint shops, view the live nativity, the tree lighting ceremony, the light parade and the holiday fireworks!

The Candlelight Inn’s warm glow will beckon you when it’s time to retire for the evening and settle in “for a long winter’s nap”.

David and Eve Baer

http://candlelightinn-redwing.com/

715-730-0288

 

100-Mile Garage Sale!

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It’s that time of year – garage sale season! Many people take the time in spring to unburden themselves by selling their accumulated possessions at bargain low prices in order to lighten up their living spaces and wardrobes for the coming year.

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Then there are others who enjoy “feathering their nests”. Garage sales, yard sales, tag sales become a most anticipated treasure hunt. Perhaps a list is made to search for specific items at rock bottom prices or maybe the day is left to chance and a gem is discovered that, unbeknownst to the finder, is essential for life and happiness.

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I personally love finding the sales with the fresh, homemade, baked goods that are displayed on a card table, next to the person with the cash box. An assortment of cookies packaged in plastic baggies with a twist-tie or delicious bars arrayed on a white paper plate covered with cling wrap. Yum! Sweet nourishment to continue my quest.

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So, get the truck or Suburban out of the garage and gassed up. Make space in your trunk and mark your calendars for May 2-5, 2019 to experience the 100-mile Garage Sale “that spans all towns along Lake Pepin” – Minnesota and Wisconsin side. http://www.100milegaragesale.org/

Reserve your comfortable room at the Candlelight Inn in Red Wing, MN to refresh yourself with a good night’s sleep in our relaxing guest rooms and partake of a delicious 3-course breakfast the next morning before venturing out on your hunt!  http://candlelightinn-redwing.com/

We look forward to your stay and hearing about the treasures you find!

David and Eve Baer

Candlelight Inn, Red Wing, MN

Shredding the Slopes

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Our teenage son, Mathias, recently experienced his first time snowboarding the slopes of Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik, MN.  Being a beginner yet feeling quite confident in his abilities, he decided to forego the “bunny hill” and made a bee line to the top of the run with his more experienced friends. Mathias soon discovered that his Apple watch continuously instructed him to BREATHE when the wind had been knocked out of him after a wicked wipeout.

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After listening to Mathias’ downhill adventure stories, Dave and I reflected on our skiing days during our teenage years.  Dave grew up skiing Afton Alps, Buck Hill, Highland Hills and Welch Village. He soon became a “shredder” of the slopes; he earned the name “Downhill Dave” by his bros (fellow rippers and shredders).

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My experience with skiing was a bit opposite to Dave’s “black diamond carvings”.  I was granted the nickname “Crash” because of my not-so-pretty wipeouts. According to snowslang.com I was a Gaper- “A novice skier whose hapless technique makes them stand out.” Yep, that certainly described me. Fortunately, I never broke any bones.

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Skiing is a terrific way to enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors and to celebrate the winter season rather than lamenting for the warm days of summer. The clear crisp air that fills the lungs, the beauty of bare trees, contoured hills and the white landscape are all a part of the skiing experience. Yes, I know this winter has not produced a big white winter yet, but we still have many weeks of cold and February/March may bring us a delightful dumping of snow.

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Yesterday Dave, the kids and I took a short drive to Welch Village – the nearest ski village to Red Wing, MN  (also a favorite in Dave’s youth). A fifteen minute drive from the Candlelight Inn led us to an idyllic setting of a small village nestled amid the high hills and trees of the Cannon River Valley. It is truly a charming place to visit and ski.

With plenty of snow on the hills, Welch Village offers “sixty runs on five distinct ridges overlooking the Cannon River and Belle Creek Valleys.” (welchvillage.com)

A large chalet positioned at the bottom of the runs provide warm and comfortable seating to enjoy food/drink. Large windows give a vantage point to scrutinize the “shredders and gapers”.  For even more enjoyment, live music is featured on Saturdays starting at 4pm.   http://www.welchvillage.com/

Come and enjoy this charming village and ski the beautiful hills of Welch. If you can’t beat winter, you might as well join it (and maybe even enjoy it too).

David & Eve Baer

Candlelight Inn in Red Wing, Mn

http://candlelightinn-redwing.com/