Posts by Susan Metoxen
Hats Off to Josh Montgomery, Shannon Draper and Tara Aiken
Starting with a Vision – Ending with a Giant Ladybug Josh and Shannon envisioned the giant ladybug intersection painting project, and artist Tara Aiken brought it to life. Josh Montgomery and Shannon Draper live in the small suburban town of Hopkins, Minnesota in a neighborhood called, “The Avenues”. The Avenues are noted for tree-lined sidewalks…
Read MoreAmtrak Roomette Hacks
St. Paul to Seattle on the Empire Builder It has always been one of our bucket list trips to take the Empire Builder from St. Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington. For the trip we rented a “roomette” which is the smallest and cheapest sleeper car. On this trip we learned many hacks to make the…
Read MoreHats Off to the Saint Croix Chippewa Tribe of Wisconsin
Tribe completes a $4.1 Million property purchase for future recovery center The property is over 800 acres and includes a 5 bedroom 4 bathroom house, an equestrian center, and two private lakes. The leading idea of the tribal council is to convert it into a substance abuse center. One consideration is to purchase or board…
Read MoreHat’s Off to the Hopkins Royal Triathlon
The race makes every effort to make triathlons accessible to everyone by offering a Mini-Sprint and Sprint levels. You can choose your own distance. For example, if you are more comfortable with the biking portion, you can do the longer segment, but do the shorter segment for the running portion.
Read MoreWild Rice Powwow in Danbury, Wisconsin
The 48th Wild Rice Powwow was held in Danbury, Wisconsin at the St. Croix Casino headquarters. Numerous singing groups performed and tribal elder Jean Songetay was honored at age 101.
Read MoreBraham Pie Day
Hat’s off to the Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota In 1990, Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich declared the little city of Braham to be the “Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota”. Braham Pie Day was born! Before Interstate 35 was built, Twin Cities residents drove through Braham, Minnesota, on their way to their lake homes. On the way, they would…
Read MoreHat’s Off to the Hopkins Raspberry Festival!
The 2022 Raspberry Festival was the best one yet! The Hopkins Raspberry festival started in 1935, when growing raspberries was a key part of farming in the area. Even now, when you walk through the alleys of Hopkins you see many residents growing their own. The Raspberry Festival is held the third weekend of July,…
Read MoreBreakfast on the Farm
Hats Off, America, to the Wright Carver Breakfast on the Farm fun event on Saturday, June 11th. A tip of the hat also to BOB Country, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF), Halquist Farms, Princess Kay of the Milky Way Anna Euerle and many others who made it all possible. Thank you, Minnesota farmers for all…
Read MoreMinnesota Ukrainians Help Their Homeland
Hats Off to the Ukrainian Church of Minneapolis, who held a highly successful fundraiser to raise money for Ukraine. People lined up at their church for the opportunity to purchase Ukrainian perogies, kabobs, chicken and sweet treats! Thousands of people attended the event. Who knows better than immigrants from Ukraine how to get donations to…
Read MoreHats Off to Historic Hopkins, Minnesota!
Hopkins Commercial Historic District is officially on the National Register of Historic Places The Hopkins Commercial Historic District has been placed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. The historic area includes Mainstreet between, 8th and 11th avenues. If you walk down Mainstreet, you will notice very old brick buildings. This section…
Read MoreHat’s Off to Author Chris Norbury
This Minnesota author recently published his latest book, Dangerous Straits Hats Off, America, interviewed Chris Norbury about his latest book at the GSR Fine Arts Festival. Chris talked less about himself and more about how new authors can write publish their first book. “If you have a story inside you, go ahead and write it…
Read MoreSears-Kay Ruins
Hike Through History and Recent Fire Devastation One of our favorite hikes near the Phoenix area are the Sears-Kay Indian ruins in the Tonto National Forest. The Sears-Kay Indian Ruins are a short drive North of Phoenix. The area was victim to a terrible forest fire in September 2020, and many of the Saguaros were…
Read More200 Miles on Foote
Hats off, America, to Doug Foote, who walked 200 miles to bring to light fire fighter health awareness Bob Metoxen from Hats Off, America, interviewed Doug Foote in Hopkins, Minnesota towards the end of his 200 mile walk the summer of 2021. Fire Fighter Doug Foote from Chanhassen, MN, started his walk on the Minnesota…
Read MoreHopkins Police Department Delivers Thanksgiving Groceries
Each year the Hopkins Police Department coordinates the delivery of groceries for Thanksgiving to families in need. Bob Metoxen interviewed Chief Brent Johnson, Driskills General Manager Deb Beckman, and Sam Stiele, of the Hopkins Rotary.
Read MoreGSR Fine Art Festival in Mankato
A small community with a stellar art show Tom Bliese, Co-Director of the GSR Fine Art Festival, talks about the thriving community of artists in the Mankato area. The GSR Fine Art Festival is an opportunity to feature the fine arts in southern Minnesota. The show for 2022 will be on November 26 and 27.…
Read MoreParty for a Lifetime
At Sundown Saloon Bar and Grill in Lewis, Wisconsin Every summer, the Sundown Saloon hosts the Party for a Lifetime to raise money to help cancer victims in the community. A cancer diagnosis is not only challenging medically but also can lead to major unexpected expenses or loss of income. This is where the Party…
Read MoreThe Cynthia Wahlen Memorial Golf Tournament
Hats Off, America, to the family and friends of the late Cynthia Wahlen! They gathered to celebrate her life cut short by domestic violence. Leigh Wahlen, Cynthia’s daughter, was 13-years old when her mother was murdered. Leigh is now a Social Worker in Human Services at Polk County, Wisconsin. This video includes an interview with…
Read MoreHats Off to Team Tucker!
Tucker Helstrom died after a heroic battle with osteosarcoma 5-years ago, but his impact on the City of Hopkins lives on. During his weeks in the hospital, Tucker noticed that some children didn’t have any visitors, and the organization in his memory, PlayLaughLove.org, wants to change that. To honor Tucker’s wish that all sick children…
Read MoreCape Cod
Hats Off, America traveled to Cape Cod in the Summer of 2021. We flew to Rhode Island, rented a car, and drove to the cape. We took the ferry from Woods Hole out to Martha’s Vineyard for a day trip.
Read MoreHats off to 50 Years of the ICA Food Shelf!
The ICA Food Shelf is celebrating 50 years of distributing food to those in need in the Hopkins/Minnetonka community. “ICA” stands for Intercongregation Communities Association. The food shelf was incorporated fifty years ago by a coalition of churches in Hopkins and Minnetonka. It started at a house in downtown Hopkins, then for many years it…
Read MoreGranite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Trail
On June 30, 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. It was one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires. To memorialize the horrific events of that day, the Arizona Public Service Foundation invested in the Hotshot Memorial Trail as a place to remember and heal. As you walk up the trail, there…
Read MoreThe Terry Bison Ranch Resort
The Terry Bison Ranch Resort in Cheyenne, WY is a great bargain adventure with the kids. The train tour of the buffalo is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children. Check the Price List at their website since they can vary seasonally. The Train Ride in Winter We have done the train tour twice in…
Read MoreHats off to the Saint Croix Band of Chippewa for their Food Giveaway
Feeding the Hungry in a Pandemic The dauntless Jennifer Bearheart coordinates efforts for the weekly food giveaway program. As the Aging Unit Director for the Saint Croix Band of Chippewa, she and her colleagues jumped at the chance to coordinate food giveaway for the area. Every Thursday morning, trucks roll in with dairy products, meat,…
Read MoreHats off to Photographer Dick Kettlewell!
Photographing the beauty of the South Dakota Black Hills We never miss a chance to drive through the Black Hills. On this trip, it was a little quiet driving through the Black Hills in December 2020, especially during the pandemic. Traffic was light and most of the area businesses were closed. That is why we…
Read MoreMaking the World Less Scary for Kids
Hats off to Kevin Kunkel, author of the children’s book, The World We Choose. How do you explain to children that all of the bad things they see or hear about on the news are not likely to happen to them? How can we make the world less scary? Watching the news can give viewers…
Read MoreAn Encounter with a Rattlesnake While Hiking near Phoenix
And Hats off to Steve from Eden Prairie, Minnesota! On March 9, 2020, we had a close encounter with a rattlesnake hiking at Pinnacle Peak, a city park in Scottsdale, Arizona near Phoenix. We were hiking with our good friends, Lyn and Steve, from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. When we started the hike we had no…
Read MoreBest Hikes in Phoenix for Active Geezers
Winter Hiking One of the best reasons to visit the Phoenix area in the winter months is to take advantage of the winter hiking season. December through February, the weather is perfect for hiking, typically reaching highs in the 60s and low 70s. If you are afraid of hiking in Phoenix because of a fear…
Read MoreSedona, Oak Creek Canyon, and Meteor Crater
Hats off to Northern Arizona! Hats Off America traveled to Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, and Meteor Crater, three stunning places in Northern Arizona. While Arizona is famous for is giant saguaros and the Grand Canyon, there is so much more in Arizona. From Ponderosa forests in the North to the Sonoran Desert in the south,…
Read MoreMeteor Crater in Arizona
Hats off to the Barringer Crater near Winslow Arizona! When driving through Arizona on Highway 40 you may be tempted to skip Meteor Crater. Meteor Crater is located on a very remote stretch of highway, with many miles between towns and rest stops. It is 6 miles from the freeway. And based on its remote…
Read MoreSedona Chimney Rock Trail
Hats off to Chimney Rock Trail We were looking for an early evening hike close to our hotel in Sedona. We simply turned left of off Highway 89 and drove towards the mountain. This short excursion brought us to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead and the Chimney Rock Trail. Arriving at 4:45PM, we knew that sunset…
Read MoreInternational Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota
Hat’s off to the International Owl Center! International Owl Center The International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota is a lovely day trip from the Twin Cities. The Houston area is surrounded by beautiful river bluffs. It is in the scenic Root River Valley, and is a great place for hiking as well as learning about…
Read MoreMinneopa State Park in Minnesota
Hats off to Minneopa State Park! Minneopa State Park is only an hour and a half from the Twin Cities and so makes an easy day trip. The park is beautiful, as you would expect with any state park. But what makes this one special is the herd of bison! Efforts have been made to…
Read MoreSaint Croix Scenic Riverway
Michael Lanning
Hat’s off to Michael Lanning! Michael Lanning fell off of a ladder while putting up holiday lights and sustained spinal cord injuries in 1997. He and his family have faced those injuries with courage as well as ingenuity. In his workshop, Michael enjoys problem solving and creating unique furniture solutions.
Read MoreReach and Restore
Hat’s off to Reach and Restore based in Hopkins, Minnesota! Reach and Restore (R&R) provides needy families with resources to provide a sense of hope and be a support to get back on their feet. This may include physical needs such as household items, furniture, locating housing or transportation and personal needs such as moral…
Read MoreThe Twin Cities Marathon Wheelers
Hat’s off to the wheelers at the Twin Cities Marathon! Date: October 1, 2017 Thousands of people ran in this year’s Twin Cities In Motion Marathon, aided by volunteers, law enforcement and medical personnel. Here’s a Hat’s Off salute to the wheelers!? We spoke with some of them including Matthew Porterfield, Chad Johnson, Tyler Byers…
Read MoreSeptember 11 Tribute at Lake Harriet
Remembering September 11 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell Visited date: September 11, 2017 Location: 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN There is a beautiful 9/11 ceremony and concert every year at the Lake Harriet bandshell. The planning is by the Minnesota 9/11 Tribute. The highlight is the military marching and flags.
Read MoreApostle Islands National Lakeshore
Sea caves, island retreats, lighthouses on beautiful Lake Superior Visited date: August 26, 2017 Location: 415 Washington Ave, Bayfield, WI Hats Off, America, to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore! We visited the lakeshore on Saturday, August 26 and spoke with Park Ranger Tam Hofman at the Visitor Center. Then we went on a tour of the…
Read MoreEclipse 2017 in Cameron, Missouri
Hat’s off to Frank Eisenbraun and Cameron, Missouri Visited date: August 21, 2017 Location: McCorkle Park, West 3rd Street, Cameron, MO For the eclipse we headed down Interstate 35 from the Minneapolis-St. Paul to the closest place in the path of totality Cameron, Missouri! Once there, we joined a group in McCorkle Park to share…
Read MoreHats Off to Indiana Dunes National Park!
An American treasure adjacent to major cities Visited date: August 14, 2017 Location: 1215 State Highway 49, Porter, IN The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a national treasure within an hour of the Chicago metropolitan area. We visited with Bruce Rowe, Supervisory Park Ranger and Public Information Officer. Because of its accessibility to urban areas,…
Read MoreHappy 4th of July!
We made this short video to pay tribute to the 4th of July celebrations occurring all over the USA today. The video footage was taken at the Bloomington, Minnesota Summer Fete. We asked the question, “What does the fourth of July mean to you?” Happy 4th of July! Bob and Susan Metoxen
Read MoreFort Snelling National Cemetery Memorial Day Service 2017
We made this short video to pay tribute to our country’s fallen on this Memorial Day. God bless America. Bob and Susan Metoxen
Read MoreFavorite Animal Photos
Pella, Iowa
Stagecoach State Park in Colorado
Colorado Highway 14
Glen Canyon Dam
You can’t miss the Glen Canyon Dam driving through Northern Arizona on Highway 89 heading towards Utah. The Glen Canyon Dam harnesses water in the Colorado River in order to provide a steady water supply to a desert region.
Read MoreSteamboat Springs and Fish Creek Falls
Driving Through Wyoming
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is in Gilbert, Arizona.
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