Life is short, the days are fleeting, and sometimes you just need to break out of that same old boring routine, shake things up, and stir the pot a little. All it takes is an appetite for adventure, a willingness to get creative, and a much-needed change in scenery to mix up your perspective.
That’s what Cam and I chose to do during some recent vacation time: We quite intentionally (and literally) decided to “stir the pot” by opting for a staycation to see more of Minnesota by way of local state park. Notably, Minnesota has over 70 state parks, and with many of them being only one hour or less from the Twin Cities, we knew we had to expand our horizons by lacing up our hiking boots and hitting the trails.
Our pick was a spot just over an hour northeast in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Surrounded by sandstone bluffs and high cliffs, Taylors Falls is a geologist’s dream. The small, sleepy town hugs the Wisconsin border, is nestled right along the St. Croix River, and boasts a series of noteworthy treks perfect for the adventurous hiker at heart. Our research brought us to Interstate State Park[1], a striking natural playground that boasts a range of hiking options in addition to a marquee, show-stopping attraction that defines itself as one of the great natural attractions of the Upper Midwest: The Glacier Pothole Trail.
You may ask, “Potholes? Like those pesky pavement death traps that dot I-94 and threaten to wreak havoc on my car tires?” Nope. These are no ordinary potholes; rather, long ago glacier meltwater drilled large, cavernous holes into billion-year-old bedrock to create what are now the biggest and deepest natural potholes in the world.
And, if you ask me, it’s pretty freaking cool.
Over one billion years ago the United States was almost ripped in half, and at Interstate State Park you get to stand on the evidence. Long before humans ever roamed the earth, ancient lava escaped from the Midcontinent Rift, and a series of tectonic cracks almost split what is now North America in two. Lava flowed as the rift pulled and cracked in the earth’s crust, and for millions of years the cracks sealed and reopened, eventually solidifying into the basalt rock that now stands there today.
But what formed these natural potholes, you ask? A well-fought battle between water and rock. Over 10,000 years ago the Glacial St. Croix River covered this area of Taylors Falls and was fed by melting glaciers, some measuring almost a mile high. The river’s powerful currents spun sand and silt in giant whirlpools until they forcefully drilled holes into the aforementioned hard basalt rock. These natural water drills left behind over 400 sizable potholes that cover the area that has since become Interstate State Park. With enticingly dramatic names like The Cauldron, The Bake Oven, Devil’s Parlor, and – my favorite – The Squeeze, these potholes promise to dazzle visitors and leave them mystified as they envision what life once looked like on earth.
Cam and I had a grand old time winding our way through the half-mile trail, exploring each of the glacier potholes with keen interest and unexpected glee. It felt as though by taking this brief drive northeast we had embarked on an impressive journey through time, and, awestruck, subsequently we visited each pothole with an overwhelming sense of interest, intrigue, and respect.
Once we finished exploring this natural phenomenon, we opted to extend our time amidst the trees on a slow, meandering hike. Linking the Pioneer Railroad Trail, the Sandstone Bluffs Trail, and the Walter F. Mondale River Trail, we climbed looped, and switchback-ed our way through several miles of dense forest and sweeping river views. During our hike the conversation flowed, perspiration beaded our necks, and all sense of time seemed to stand still. Cam and I reveled in the ability to immerse ourselves in the outdoors and lose ourselves in nature, and we delighted in the profound wonders that stood within reach of our everyday lives. Needless to say, we were smitten.
Typically “stirring the pot” connotes something sassy, negative, or even troublesome; it’s how we characterize individuals when they are coloring outside the lines or otherwise straying from typical societal norms. And while it’s never helpful to kick up trouble just for trouble’s sake, it’s pretty much always beneficial to take a long hard, look at things, evaluate where you’re currently at and what you’d like to do differently, and then routinely shake things up so that you don’t inadvertently stabilize, hit a point of stasis, and forever remain the same.
Remember, change does the soul good, so get out there and make it happen. Whether it’s switching up your daily schedule, planning an adventurous staycation, or quite literally visiting a glacial pothole, we can all benefit from “stirring the pot” every now and then so we can remain curious and forever continue to be surprised by this great gift we call life.
[1] Say that ten times fast.
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