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17.8.13

Road Trip "Up North" (Part 1)

Internet? Hello?
I have returned from my trip "Up North" to the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota. Being born and raised in Minneapolis, I've noticed that it's common for metro families to go anywhere north of the city limits in the summer and indulge in the 80 degree weather. Mostly because our weather is  unbearable 75% of the year.
("Oh, it's negative 15 degrees outside? Don't be late for school!")

 For those who aren't familiar with Minnesota's geography (it's o.k.), the Gunflint Trail is located in the "arrowhead" of Minnesota, a.k.a. almost Canada. Please, let this VERY ACCURATE map that I made help you. 
This first post is going to be about NATURE and digging deep into your subconscious (trippppy). My second post will share my thrifting adventures and purchases. For all of my video watchers, a two-parter video series will be coming your way on Sunday, so keep a look out. 
(Both photos above: Duluth, Minnesota rest stop/overlook)
Ah, Up North. A place where people actually look down on you if you use your cell phone. My dad and I caught a break by spending 5 days out in the wilderwood - plumbing not included. I popped in multiple Pearl Jam CDs (while my dad shifted uncomfortably during Eddie's hardcore and MANLY screams) while embarking on our 7 hour drive. It's interesting up here for sure. You have the hippies, the yuppies, old nice democrats, and future tea party members (I'm talking about you - Bachmann).

 (Twin Peaks-esque grocery store in Grand Marais)
 (Kendall's Smoke House on the highway up Lake Superior, christened by the one and only Andrew Zimmern - from the Travel Channel's show Bizarre Foods" )

I'm not going to lie. As the years have progressed, I've found myself becoming more of a "city girl" despite my roots. The real challenge here was not having the internet for 5 days. First world problems, truly. But really, I finished three books while staying up at our family/friend's cabin and I still found myself stir crazy. Yet after staying up here, I firmly believe in internet cleanses. When I came back and checked on all of my social media pages, I got this weird mind induced high. I became so much more grateful for ALL of your support - especially to the comments on my blog (shout out to y'all!).
(Old phone booth out of the Trail Center restaurant)
(Walleye fish and chips, YUM)
 (Every blogger's worst nightmare)
  Being without internet, without cell service, and without friends is ROUGH. But I learned more about myself. I know I sound totally new age but I realized how much the above has affected me throughout the years. As mentioned before in some of my posts, sometimes I get in these ruts. I find myself becoming horribly stagnant and bored, even though I could be doing so many creative and interesting things. I don't want to throw out the mental illness card, but anyone who has ever suffered from depression knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about. It sucks. It sucks because you can't even keep track of your own thoughts long enough to make progress. Being away from things that distract you FORCES you to be introspective. This trip honestly put things into perspective for me - school, Youtube, activism, etc.
It's incredible how when you tune out from all of your distractions, you start to notice the little things. Like a grasshopper blending into a pile of leaves, a changing leaf, or INCREDIBLY CUTE MUSHROOMS THAT YOU VERY WELL COULD HAVE STEPPED ON. We stayed on the Gunflint Trail, which is an area that sadly isn't unfamiliar to wild fires. It's a downer to see some of the burned out areas, but on the other hand - nature doesn't wait to fix itself, it just DOES. (deeeep)
 You don't have to travel 4,000 miles to get some peace of mind. If you are reading this right now, and you have been frustrated for a long time - GO OUTSIDE. And I don't mean that in a judgmental-parent way. I mean it in a friend-to-friend way. Go to your library, or a thrift store. Acquire books by or about people who interest you. Learn from them. And don't just think deeply for 2 minutes and then hop on Tumblr, get yourself a journal and write that shit down so you remember how good it feels to do something more with your brain then let it fizzle via pixels. 
 (This reminds me v. much of my childhood/my brother. I'd gladly drive this car around town.)
 (Both photos above are from Cascade River/Falls)

 It's not easy. To be too honest, I worry that I might slip into one of my ruts again. I'm worried that I'll get too comfortable and not experience the unfamiliar because of conveniences sake or anxiety. With that being said, I think I'm going to give myself mini internet breaks. If I ever find myself on the internet NOT being productive or NOT being inspired, like Lizzie -I'm outie. Queue the cliché, but life is too short to be stagnant. Even if the risks become greater when you venture out, at least you'll have the memories that you actually DID something with your time on this beautiful earth.

Stay tuned for my thrifting post and haul, coming TOMORROW!
Keep it cool, 
Lauren Rose
Curbside Fashion


11 comments:

  1. I loved this post and I can't wait to read the ones to come!
    Just a question, what kind of camera did you use for the pictures above?
    Cheers!

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    1. I'm not too photo savvy yet, but it's my dad's nikon for some of them! If I figure out more info about it I'll update ya. I usually film with my Sony NEX 5 though.
      -Lauren Rose

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  2. Lauren you just went what Kanye West likes to call "Deeper than Deepak Chopra" and I get it. Whenever I take walks, go outside, or just look out my window I always go "Wooooaahhhh man, this is all too beautiful, I love it :). Lovely photos they make me want to go road trippin, you truly are a hero for going without internet for a FREAKIN WEEK *gasps*. Can't wait for the thrift haul/videos. Stay rad :)

    styleriottt.blogspot.com

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    1. omg, THANK YOU! Yes, I can't wait to show you guys the stuff I got. Thanks for commenting!
      -Lauren Rose

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  3. Internet breaks are a really good thing... I don't have internet at home, so I only use it on my cell phone (well, sometimes I connect my phone to my computer...), and it feels really nice to spend 3 or 4 days, maybe even a week, without tumblr, youtube, facebook and all that. In my opinion, if I find myself bored when I'm on the internet perhaps I should be doing anything else with my time, like reading or hanging out with friends, face to face conversations!!! I really hope those do not become extinct :) I'm from Spain, but Minnesota seems like a beautiful place :) those pictures are really nice!

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    1. Thank you! Hello to Spain, I bet it's awesome there!

      I always wonder what it's like having a cell phone. A majority of my subscribers on Youtube watch my videos through their phones. It must be a whole new way of thinking/seeing. Thats cool though that you are able to be entertained in life more than then internet. Good stuff.

      -Lauren Rose

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  4. Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, I'm dying to visit the USA and thanks to you I've grown a fascination about Minnesota, to which I'd never paid much attention before, to be honest. You're a big girl, I love your optimism and how you learn from everything you see and do.

    Hugs,

    Lou

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    1. Thanks Lou! I always love your comments. I'm dying to finally watch your movie recommendations! Soon. :)

      -Lauren Rose

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  5. Your photos look amazing! What photo editor do you use? Love you and your blog/videos <3

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  6. A few weeks ago my family and I went "up north" too but we live in so cal so we road trip to the humboldt area/redwood forest. I don't think I've seen so many dreads in one area lol but it is one of my favorite places to be. There is something so serene about hiking and stopping and just breathing and taking in the silence. Definitely knocked me out of the summer funk I've been stuck in and it was the cherry on top to come home and see one of my favorite bloggers go through a similar trip. Thanks for always sharing ! :)

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  7. I love your blog! I keep meaning to capture my camping trips and cottage weekends in this way but never do it quite as well as you have—you've inspired me!

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