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Grounds For A Walk, Blaine, MN (2026)

05/13/2025

🗓 Date: 5.12

Today’s walk was a cozy and familiar one—about two miles through the local park and neighborhood with my husband. While I usually like getting out of the neighborhood, I had to admit: not every neighborhood has horses and burros that light up at the sight of our wolfhound, probably thinking she’s one of them. The best part? The coffee. Made by my husband, our homemade “Tree Hugger” iced latte with almond milk and maple syrup was absolute perfection. No playlist today—just conversation and connection.

📍 Location: Local park and neighborhood (London Park, Blaine)

☕️ Sip: “Tree Hugger” – homemade iced latte with almond milk and maple syrup, crafted by the hub (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

🚶 Stroll`: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ – a lovely walk, though I prefer venturing beyond the neighborhood

🎶 Playlist: None – just heartfelt conversation with my husband

📝 Notes: Took a walk with my husband and our wolfhound around the local park and nearby streets. While I love new places, this route came with its own magic—like horses and burros excited to greet our pup. The coffee was next-level: the “Tree Hugger” he makes is truly the BEST. No music, just talk, which made it even better.

05/13/2025

🗓 Date: 5.10

On May 10, while in Las Vegas, I set aside intentional time for a peaceful walk amidst the hustle. I grabbed a “Flan” iced latte with soy from Cortadito Coffee House inside the Flamingo—it was refreshing but tasted like a standard caramel latte. I wandered around the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino wildlife habitat for a while, enjoying the unexpected calm and charm of animals right on the Strip. With no music playing, the natural soundtrack of squawks, quacks, and the low hum of tourists filled the air. The walk was a much-needed, relaxing moment tucked into a busy trip.

📍 Location: Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, Las Vegas
☕️ Sip: “Flan” iced latte with soy from Cordadita Cuban Coffee – refreshing, but average (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

🚶 Walk Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – scenic, animal-filled, and peaceful for Vegas

🎶 Playlist: None – just ambient sounds of people and animals

📝 Notes: In the middle of the Vegas buzz, I made time to intentionally walk and breathe. The Flamingo’s habitat offered a surprising dose of calm. The “Flan” latte was fine—not as exciting as its name. But the setting made up for it, and walking among flamingos, HUGE koi, and greenery felt like a tiny vacation within a vacation.

05/13/2025

Was in Vegas over the weekend, so playing a lil catch up!

🗓 Date: 5.8
Busy day, but I squeezed in a short but refreshing walk at the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom—a calm urban escape that offered just enough serenity in a packed day. I treated myself to a "Done Well" with almond milk from Roundtable Coffee Works, one of my favorite spots. The secret ingredient? Bootstrap molasses, which gave it a rich, deep flavor. Truly delicious. Sade was the perfect soundtrack—so smooth and grounding. While the walk was brief, it provided a lovely breather.

📍 Location: Como Park Outdoor Classroom

☕️ Sip: "Done Well" with almond milk from Round Table Coffee – rich with bootstrap molasses (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½)

🚶 Walk Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – brief but peaceful and grounding

🎶 Playlist: Sade – smooth, elegant, perfect backdrop Sade’s velvet voice made everything feel extra smooth. A short walk, but a soulful pause.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/47zz7sob9NUcODy0BTDvKx?si=PE-GBaYoRiCdWKTIfaqkWQ

05/08/2025

🌿5.7.25

Today’s stroll started with high hopes and a bold sip, but not everything hit the mark. I picked up an Iced Oatmilk Amaretto Latte from Kingdom Baking and quickly remembered why I avoid syrups — way too sweet for my taste. Lesson learned!
The walk at Golden Lake Park in Circle Pines offered a mixed experience: it started with a peaceful wooded trail, took a strange turn across a school playground (awkward!), and then resumed with a lovely continuation past blooming flowers, birds, and the cutest little mallards. Bonus points for yet another bridge moment — clearly a recurring joy on these walks. The weather was chef's kiss: 70 degrees and breezy. And the soundtrack? The smooth, breezy vibes of Paco Versailles brought a little sparkle back to the day.

☕ Coffee Sip

Drink: Iced Oatmilk Amaretto Latte
From: Kingdom Baking – Circle Pines, MN
Syrup-forward and super sweet — this one wasn’t my cup of…latte. I appreciate trying something different, but I’ll stick to honey or pure maple syrup next time.
🌟 Sip Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (1.5/5)

🚶‍♀️ Park Stroll
Location: Golden Lake Park – Circle Pines, MN
https://www.ci.circle-pines.mn.us/parksrec/page/golden-lake-park
A bit of a split personality: the wooded intro was lovely, the detour through the schoolyard felt intrusive (though the flower sale was a charming surprise), and the final leg opened up into a peaceful path with lake views and mallard sightings. Unexpected, but memorable.
🌟 Stroll Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)

🎶 Music Choice:
Paco Versailles – Easy, breezy, and impossibly cool. A perfect backdrop for a meandering, mood-swingy walk.
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VptPtXbT0T4imW6GcobiW?si=Kw7VE88oQzKK9HYYTsP0dQ

05/07/2025

🌿 5.6.25

This afternoon’s walk took a little more intention — the heat was high, time was tight, and my head was already halfway to the next thing on my schedule. But sometimes that’s exactly when you need the walk the most. I grabbed a refreshing Iced Vanilla Soy Matcha from Blackwater Coffee & Cafein Maple Plain, then made my way to the sprawling beauty of BBaker Park Reserve part of the Three Rivers system. I only scratched the surface of its miles of trails, but I was lucky enough to spot a crane, a heron, and a bunny along the way — all too swift for my camera, but not for my memory. Even when the vibe is off, nature (and some Bee Gees harmonies) know how to bring you back to the moment.

☕ Coffee Sip
Drink: Iced Vanilla Soy Matcha
From: Black Water Coffee & Café – Maple Plain, MN
Smooth, mellow, and just sweet enough, this matcha had a balanced blend of green tea earthiness and creamy vanilla. A lovely surprise from a cozy stop on the western edge of the metro.
🌟 Sip Rating: ★★★★½☆ (4.5/5)

🚶‍♀️ Park Stroll
Location: Baker Park Reserve – Three Rivers – Maple Plain, MN
Vast and winding, this park offers access to miles of connected trails for biking and walking. I only had time to dip my toes into what it has to offer, but it was alive with wildlife and calm, open spaces. Great for clearing your head — even when you're short on time.
🌟 Stroll Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

🎶 Music Choice:
The full Bee Gees catalog — harmonies that lift and soothe, even when the day is hectic.
Listen on Spotify:

05/05/2025

🌿 5.5.25. Lunch Time Stroll

Today’s adventure landed me in Fridley, MN, where I took a disco-fueled stroll through Locke Lake Park, a hidden gem nestled between a quiet neighborhood, the shimmer of Rice Creek, and a nearby railroad. It had a cozy, lived-in vibe — like the kind of place that knows all the neighborhood secrets. The path surprised me with a curious groundhog and an epic frog chorus that totally upstaged my playlist (and that’s saying something!). I kicked things off with an Iced Oatmilk Miel from the quirky and lovable Clapping Monkey Coffee, which matched the trail’s offbeat charm. Grabbed some banana bread...cuz monkey's. Not a five-star day, but definitely a vibe:)

☕ Coffee Sip

Drink: Iced Oatmilk Miel
From: The Clapping Monkey House of Coffee– Fridley, MN
This funky, independent coffee nook serves up charm in every corner, from kitschy decor to friendly baristas. The oatmilk miel had cozy, honeyed comfort with a slightly earthy finish—refreshing, but not a showstopper.

🌟 Sip Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
🚶‍♀️ Park Stroll

Location: Lake (part of Rice Creek Trail) – Fridley, MN
https://g.co/kgs/PpGvn93

Tucked quietly between suburban homes, a shimmering lake, and a working railroad, this stretch offers a mashup of peace and personality. The highlight? A bold groundhog greeting me on the path, backed by an unforgettable frog chorus echoing through the trees.

🌟 Stroll Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)

🎶 Music Choice Playlist: Fave Disco Songs – Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Fy5p1KbV1XBE16GKF9jOS?si=6Lr1L_cYT9C_tsTionCNCw

Frogs on the beat and mirror ball dreams—today’s walk had a funky soul.

05/04/2025

May 4th, 2025

Today’s stroll took me to Lochness Park in Blaine, MN, where I enjoyed a short but scenic mile-long loop filled with great views, spring green vibes, and several friendly faces — both two-legged and four. This mid-sized park includes a registered disc golf course, a couple of trail options, and a standout bridge with groves of birch trees that made the walk feel a little extra peaceful. While I didn’t catch much wildlife today, I did see turkey vultures circling overhead (which felt a little metal 😎). My sip came from the ever-upbeat Scooter’s Coffee, and it was a refreshing, chain-style pick-me-up with local charm. Bonus: they gave me a sticker and reminded me "You are awesome!" with their glowing neon sign.

🎶 Yacht Rock vibes carried me through the walk today — mellow, smooth, and groovy. The playlist link is below if you want to stroll in style.

🥤 Sip Vibe

Drink: Iced Shaken Honey Oatmilk Espresso
From: Scooter's Coffee in Blaine

Vibe: Light, sweet, and smooth — a good go-to if you're sticking with chain options. What stood out most was the friendliness of the team and the positive energy they’ve baked into the shop experience. That neon “You are awesome” sign? Totally on brand.

🚶‍♀️ Stroll Vibe

Location: Lochness Park, Blaine, MN https://www.blainemn.gov/facilities/facility/details/Lochness-Park-61
Trail Length Walked: ~1 mile

Sights & Feels: Birch tree groves, a cool bridge, disc golfers doing their thing, turkey vultures overhead, and a chill, open feel. More people, more pups — less solitude, but still refreshing. Great option for a walk-and-go kind of day.

🎧 Music Choice:
Yacht Rock Playlist – Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXb3m918yXHxA?si=HhBBRGVkSAS4C2GEvFqqTw

05/03/2025

📸 Inaugural Post – May 3, 2025

☕️ Grounds for a Walk
Sip something new. See something beautiful.

📍 Laddie Lake Park – Blaine, MN
🥤 Drink: Iced Qamaria Matcha with Soy Milk from Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.: Blaine location.

👟 Stroll Vibe: Springy and peaceful. A tucked-away park with paths over a surprisingly wide vareity of terrains for its size, chirping birds, and grasshoppers hopping. Great for solo thinking or just stretching your legs. Bonus: hardly anyone else around.

🍵 Sip Vibe: Earthy and mellow with a smooth, creamy finish (thanks, soy milk). Not too sugary—just cool and calming. A nice surprise from a newer local chain.

⭐️ Recommend? Yes. A small and quiet park + a chill matcha = perfect pairing for a quick and easy walk. Total pathways were a lil under 2 miles.

📸 I saw two things today that moved me in different ways. First a pair of swans on the lake...first of the season. Second, a pathway memorial for someone named Josh, who died too young. He was obviously very loved, and is missed. I wonder who he was? Just a great reminder...Carpe Diem, everyone. Life is to be LIVED.

05/03/2025

Hi, I’m Tuney. Extrovert. Life-liver. In short: I do a lot of stuff:) I am a wife, mom, academic tech and instructional designer, a performer/vocalist, and traveler...and also... I LOVE GOOD COFFEE AND BEAUTIFUL WALKS. So...I started "Grounds for a Walk" to blend two of the things I love, good drinks and quiet walks. Around Minnesota, I stroll through local parks while sipping teas, coffees, and interesting café finds—then share the vibes, the views, and whether the sip (and/or stroll) is worth the stop.

Follow along for nature photos, hidden park gems, and honest drink thoughts. Join me! Sip something new. See something beautiful.

Grounds For A Walk

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