Traveling to a new city is always exhilarating. The thought of exploring a city’s essence and getting to know the backroads of unknown territory is priceless.

This past weekend, Kris and I ventured up to Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I had yet to experience the Twin Cities, but they had been lingering on my list of places to visit for a while now. Not only was it a weekend of exploration but also bonding with beautiful spirits. We were able to stay with his childhood friends right outside of the twin cities and experience it from the perspective of a local.

The cloudy and rainy weather didn’t stop us from checking out a few gems in the area. One stop on our journey was the Como Park Conservatory. From the outside it looks like a pretty glass building, but as we ventured in, the warm air and sea of greenery felt like a tropical oasis. This is not something I would expect in such cold cities but it was a pleasant surprise.

This is definitely the place to go during the frigid winter months!

Wandering down the brick paths, immersing myself in lush plant life, and being drawn to the textures and colors let my curiosity run wild. I was amazed by the variety of succulents and plants in this conservatory. Since childhood I have been fascinated with the intricacy and beauty of nature. Plants have a way of bringing a calming and relaxing energy to any space. If you need to take a step back from it all, make time to immerse yourself in outdoor spaces.

Taking a break from the concrete structures and surrounding ourselves with nature can be refreshing.

We are able to take our time moving through an environment.

Use our senses to take in the experience.

Step outside of our daily lives and be present.

It’s moments like these when we’re able to admire and appreciate the details in life.