Tag: travel

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What being an Adventure Sister means

emyminzel

Being an Adventure Sister means that I am someone who goes on adventures and also inspires adventure, it means I enjoy encouraging others to inspire themselves. My dream is to motivate others to feel the same sense of delight and satisfaction I feel when doing something I find exciting and invigorating by getting off the couch and jumping into my life. This reminds me of a saying that I love. “The only difference between, fear and excitement is, your attitude about it.” I find this to be true. There are many times I’ve felt frightened, and excited at the same time. The difference in my experience was decided by my attitude while going through the journey.

I became an Adventure Sister when I realized that I was deeply moved by my experiences in nature. I was hooked on the feeling of personal accomplishments, doing things I’ve never done before, addicted to the feeling of pride that adventure provided! Was it the adrenalin of boldly sauntering into the forest of unknown activities and occupants? Was it the excitement of mysterious endeavors and events that kept us on our toes? Not knowing everything that’s going to happen seemed to lend itself to the magic of synchronicities that appear to motivate our fun outcomes.

Adventure Sister Stacy and I have survived waves that were so large when we dipped our paddles into the water it only hit air, then wildly splashed inside the canoe. We’ve battled waves that muted each of our strokes, so powerful they pulled our canoe to the middle of the large lake no matter how hard we tried to keep closer to shore. We’ve survived athletic feats we were in no way prepared for. We’ve even accidentally popped a gas tank on a rental car in Florida, that leaked so profusely the firemen said, it likely could have been very dangerous. Yet we continue to make it home safely and in one piece each time we dared to be brave. I feel like I should give a shout out and giant expression of gratitude to my guardian angels and guides right now, they’ve helped through some wild rides.

Who you choose to accompany you does matter when on an adventure, and Stacy is great because she doesn’t fuss while working as hard as we needed to. We were able to turn hard-core camping excursions into spiritual adventures that helped us gain confidence in ourselves while building trusting supportive relationship with each other. We grew our spiritual practices simultaneously which became a special type of bond like the one lots of people cherish at church. Only our church nature. It is a blessing to have someone to help you grow in meaningful directions, and inspires you to be a better you. The bond of sisterhood that Stacy and I have founded in each other through our expeditions together has added depth that seem to make our adventures more enjoyable and meaningful.

You just never know where you’ll end up on an adventure, that’s what so exciting about it. Leaving your schedule open to be being able to take that invitation, or the scenic route on vacation can be one of the best ways to find excitement. Going off the beaten path leads us to have new experiences lets us see things I would not have if everything was scheduled on a strict itinerary. Support is essential to a joyful adventure, its important bring someone who you like and trust. It helped that I felt supported by my family who had my back when going out of my comfort zone.

I want to inspire others to bring excitement and play back into their lives, by telling them them how I found Joy in my life, that just so happened to be inspired by adventure. What I find exciting may not be to you, or vice versa, I am not recommending you bungee jump off a bridge if you are frightened of heights. Or go ahead if you want to be courageous! I found the feeling of honor in doing something I never thought I could is one of the best feelings to be in my body for. Not all adventures have to be dangerous, thrill seeking events. Finding courage to write that book, to have a baby (or not) to change careers, or make any change that makes you feel good about yourself are adventures. It’s all in the way you look at them.

I believe with all my heart, you’re never too old, too young or too anything to do something that makes your heart sing. It makes your heart sing for a reason, because that’s your song to sing! I want to inspire the bravery in others to find courage you need to sing your song by being fearless in pursing my own unique melody. To be an Adventure Sister means to inspire greatness in all of life’s adventures, from babies to grandbabies, from college to retirement and everything in between or after, it is never too late to feel great!

What makes you feel brave? What makes you feel proud? Are you an Adventure Sister too?

I would love to hear what inspires you to inspire others!

 

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

The Adventure Sisters on Instagram
@adventuresistersbwca

 

 

 

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Show your passion with compassion

emyminzel

What will you say to your children who say, “Wait a minute, you knew this was happening and you didn’t do anything about it?” Have you thought about that? I have. You are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts. According to NASA 97% of the world’s top climate scientist confirm that there is in FACT Global warming and human actions that can be changed would heal this problem.

I also believe that humans are truly good people trying to do the best they can in the time and space we are given. My Adventure Sister wrote a blog that got me thinking. She put the thought out, implying that God sends only angels into our lives… even the people who act in ways that aren’t so angelic. She asks us to accept that all people in the world have soul contracts with other souls, to act in ways that will lead us to learn, grow, and be better.

This thought hit me hard, as I am working on expressing my passion for the environment in a compassionate and loving way. Even though, somedays I feel like an angry environmentalist who thinks human species has lost their ever-loving minds. I care genuinely about being received in a kind, loving and compassionate way, so I can touch as many lives as I possible, to do my part in saving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, in Minnesota.

Do I need to embrace that this threatening situation might possibly be happening for the greater good? Maybe the threat of losing our beloved Boundary Waters will bring the fine people of Minnesota together to form a bond of unity? Unity that will be powerful enough to stand up to the government officials and corporate interests that threaten the health of our land, and most certainly affect the tourism that supports the livelihood and lifestyle which is the soul of northern Minnesota. Just maybe this situation is an opportunity for us to do the “right thing” and stand up for ourselves and our land? I certainly see this happening all over the world and the United States, uniting against, racism, misogyny and hate.

‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ Luke 23:24. Science says times up because we do know what we do, and we can change. I believe if we act soon, treat the earth with compassion Mother Earth will be benevolent and forgiving of our trespasses. If we nurture and care for the planet she returns the favor. If we treated the earth as a gift from God that it is, we would not be poisoning our soil and waterways with chemicals or pesticides. We would know we are eating the poison. We would not stand by obediently letting corporations systematically poison our water, land and air with more rights and protections, then the people who live in the community. When do we get to say enough is enough?

Politically we are seeing a free for all, public land grabbing for resources all over North America. Coastal communities fearing the consequences of drilling for oil in their beautiful and beloved homelands. Here in Minnesota, public officials are under a great deal of pressure to grant permission to a mineral mining that threatens the beloved Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

This over-seas company with headquarters in the state of Minnesota wants to mine for sulfide-ore copper at the headwaters of the National Park known as The Boundary Waters Canoe area. Environmental studies show, this type of mining means eminent pollution.

  • Researchers warn that ALL sulfide-ore copper mining produces extremely toxic sulfites that would flow directly into the headwaters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to contaminate the entire 1.1 million acres of pristine water and unspoiled forest.

 

  • The Boundary Waters contains twenty percent of all the fresh water in the entire National Forest System! That is a lot of pristine water we are risking for no real gain except a couple jobs.

 

  • Sulfide-ore copper mining produces giant waste piles that leach sulfuric acid, heavy metals and sulfates into the environment, proven to pollute groundwater, rivers and lakes. In the history of sulfide mining, pollution has NEVER been avoided.

 

  • The scientific environmental studies show that it is not only, IF but WHEN the mine leaches its toxic sulfites into the pristine waters of the Boundary Waters that the ecosystem will be toxic for at least 500 years… so forever.

 

It is common practice for corporations like these to pollute and loot “our land” getting away with it, with no real consequences. They, simply shrug off any responsibility of environmental cleanup by paying a fine and declaring bankruptcy. Leaving the residence of the now toxic land and tax payers to foot the bill and live with the responsibility of cleanup.

Do you remember Freedom Industries corporation in West Virginia that poisoned the drinking water for over 300,000 people and nine counties in 2014?! I do. The residence of this area still suffer four years later, without drinkable water and multiple heath complaints. All because government officials valued industry over the health of the land which they live.

If Al Roker where to inform us each morning at 7:12am that the condition of air quality has suffered in North America overnight because of environmental fracking waste, and fossil fuel drilling/refineries, chemical spills, pesticides and mining accidents. I believe  ‘we the people’ of the US would be far less willing to sacrifice their land, air, water and the health of our loved ones.

Some of the dirtiest fuels and chemicals manufactured are exempt from the outdated Clean Air and Water Act. Our current Congress works to de-regulate environmental protections and grant corporate permissions to violate and pillage, sacred native lands, federal forest, parks, reserves and waters. Areas deemed so precious that they should be in the protective hands of the government in the first place?!… this makes me scratch my head some.

The thought of losing over a million acres of pristine land and water, in an area which has changed my life for the better, makes my blood boil. I am angry, I also understand that anger will not help the situation. What will help are the actions we take to stop this from happening. Using our voices, our will to do good, uniting together to protect what we love will be the only way to make a difference.

So here I am an introverted, angry environmentalist, who just wants to cuddle my dogs, leaping fearlessly out of my comfort zone to do what I can to make a difference. I will voice my opposition loudly and proudly with protective compassion, because I believe that people are good at heart and want to do the right thing.

Let’s unite in love of this truly special place on earth, let’s vow to do anything and everything we can to Save The Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Who’s with me?

Please help me in doing so by signing this petition to Save The Boundary Waters.

https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/tell-department-interior-and-bureau-land-management-protect-boundary-waters

 

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

The Adventure Sisters on Instagram
@adventuresistersbwca

 

 

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Lessons From the BWCA

emyminzel

I would have never guess the types of changes that came to me and my Adventure Sister Stacy when we first launched our rented canoe full of gear into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota the summer of 2013. We were naive in what the forest would teach us, how it would refine me by polishing my character, deepen my morals, give me courage to pursue ambitions, value and believe in myself gaining self-worth, our experiences in the BWCA even mended my faith in God/The Universe.

We were immediately awe-struck with the beauty of the Boundary Waters as we paddled towards our very first portage experience. Words were insufficient to represent the peaceful grace we felt in the remote and visually stunning wildlife landscape. It was the day I fell in love again, with nature. I thought to myself while feeling that grace and hearing the sound of only our paddles hitting the water “This must be where God lives.”

The Boundary Waters does don’t suffer fools, the wild wilderness can be just as dangerous as it is beautiful. Stacy and I thought nothing of this as we boldly longed for some fun and adventure in our lives. That summer was healing and transformative for the both of us. Stacy had just left her marriage of twelve years, and was selling her home. I was starting a new career, struggling to grow my client list, while making very little money. Times where much harder then we’d been used too, life at home was sometimes stressed.

On the water in a canoe with my new friend, I felt the burdens of life lifted from the minute we were dropped off in the wild to fend for ourselves. Isn’t funny how some things you deem as important are not too important, when you are using all your focus, kicking in heighten survival instincts that work like magic, giving you the abilities to navigate new watery paths before you. In the Boundary Waters it is imperative to be extra careful not to make careless mistakes that might be hilarious, also maybe dangerous… or even worse.

I know from experience see, because the very next day, we tipped the gosh darn canoe! We were lucky that it happened while fishing, we did not have all our portage packs filled with equipment in the canoe with us, only our fishing gear. Whew!!!! Thank the good Lord above for that blessing. Because (Insert dingy white girl voice here) “O.M.G! Like that would have been the biggest bummer ever!” It took us forever to get the swamped canoe emptied enough to ride back to camp. Luckily we were okay and still had a boat to get back to civilization the consequences could have been far worse.

I’ll admit it, we did not know much about anything on our first trip to the Boundary Waters. Even though neither of us had even filleted a fish, we went up into the Northwoods with sparing food, depending on the fish to catch to eat while there. I find it funny that when we were naïvely trusting the Universe to provide us fish, we caught more then enough and released what we did not eat. During the several more years of remote wilderness hardcore adventures we boasted, not one more fish would be caught after that first year. Now we don’t even bring our poles.

My philosophies on my experiences fishing have changed my beliefs about the ethical treatment of animals we eat, it has changed the way I live my life. This change in my ethical beliefs started on the very first time I visited the Boundary Waters. although with my Irish German heritage I am just a teeny tiny bit stubborn, it tends to take me some time to adapt… Change is scary and hard if you are not ready for it. I wasn’t ready at first, but the winds of change blew a seed into my soul, it takes time for gestation.

Stacy and I went deep into the forest to connect with Spirit, to manifest the changes we desperately wanted and needed. The concept of The Adventure Sisters was born on this first excursion into the BWCA wilderness. Little did we know that five years later we would be embarking together on a literary adventure, with a shared dream of empowering others as we have felt empowered. The Boundary Waters voyages changed our lives in so many positive ways that we want to give back to others in hopes they may find the same magic in their lives.

Stacy and I repeatedly faced obstacles, challenges, and follies in the BWCA we worked together to over-come them all. We learned we could depend on each other, we fostered trust in each other and man-o-man we had discovered we could have grand adventures and lots of fun together!

We came out of the forest as The Adventure Sisters, with a renewed self-esteem, exuding genuine Joy. We were very proud of ourselves for going well beyond our comfort zones challenging ourselves to make changes in our lives. We learned we work well individually but are much stronger when we work together. Things that sound so simple in words, but has a much bigger impact with experience.

From just this one, very first Boundary Waters Canoe Area experience I have gathered:

Courage: To do the things that scare me, and try new things, even if they make me uncomfortable.

Spiritual connection: Connection I felt to God, the earth and all living beings in it, changed dramatically, my thoughts on how we treat and respect the environment changing the direction of my life path.

Self-Worth: That grew into the ability to make the changed in my life that were needed by valuing my self and morals.

Self-esteem: I needed to believe that little old me, can make a difference of good, for the future before I would even try. Here I am, trying new things again, the BWCA helped me believe I could do that.

Teamwork: Better, stronger, wiser when we stick together babe.

Trust: I learned not only to trust in the abilities in myself but trust God/The Universe to bring me only good. My path does have a purpose, I am able to see that and trust in it now.

Thats just the first year! We were instantly hooked on the physical challenges, and the spiritual and emotional growth that keeps us coming back year after year. There are people just like you that bring their children, loved ones, or go solo up to the forests of BWCA where they can unplug from the daily grind just enough to be able to plug back into our connection with the Universe.

We sincerely do feel God up in God’s Country in The Boundary Waters, you would too I bet. This place should not be gambled away for any amount of money. The BWCA gives magical life lessons that no money can buy.

Look I’m just a girl who loves, her family, friends and pets… and clean air and water. I have learned that if I feel like I should be doing something then I better do it! Or inevitably I suffer anxiety, depression, and even create bad habits to cover up the feeling of guilt for not doing something I should be doing.

I believe life makes us move and act by making us uncomfortable, making us upset, and waving red flags in front of your face that move powerful emotions. If we were happy and content about the way things are we would not want to change right? Powerful emotions make you move.

I am passionate about keeping the environment clean for future generations. So avid that I choose to bravely push aside my introverted tendencies, gather courage to voice my opinion publicly in hopes of affecting change to protect the Boundary Waters from the impending environmental mining pollution.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a magical place in the forest that teaches people to be better people, this place where God lives, must be cherished, treasured and protected.

Please help me in doing so by signing this petition to Save The Boundary Waters.

https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/tell-department-interior-and-bureau-land-management-protect-boundary-waters

 

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

The Adventure Sisters on Instagram
@adventuresistersbwca

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Save the Boundary Waters Canoe Area!

emyminzel

The environment is very important to me, it is my passion. We take so much from her, doing something anything to give back and help her out she would appreciate, so will our children and grandchildren. My intention, is to spread awareness of our effects on the planet, whether they are intentional or not we CAN and must, change our direction of unsustainable consumption of its resources.

There is currently controversy surrounding the area called the Iron Range, of Minnesota it is a taconite mining community. Minnesota State officials are currently under pressure to grant a mining permit to Twin Metals Minnesota Mining to mine sulfite-ore copper at The Boundary Waters Canoe Area headwaters and pressure keeps building.

The Taconite/Iron Ore mines employ a great number of families in the area. I grew up on the Iron Range, it’s made up of good hearted regular families like yours. What I aim to do is spread education to the well-intentioned citizens of the area that the proposed Sulfite-ore copper mining is very different.

Sulfite Mining is not the same as the Iron Ore mining culture that they are used too. Sulfide-ore copper mining is much more toxic than Minnesota’s taconite mining. Sulfite-ore copper produces giant waste piles that, when exposed to air and water, leach sulfuric acid, heavy metals and sulfates. Sulfide-ore copper mines pollute groundwater, rivers and lakes. In the history of sulfide mining, pollution has never been avoided.

Hard rock mining, most of which is sulfide mining, contributes to more superfund sites than any other activity. A Superfund site is any land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the EPA as a candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment.*

Sulfite-Copper mining is dangerous very toxic, waste from this type of mining generates sulfuric acid historically seen to have disastrous consequences in a previous site located in Canada. This type of toxic waste cannot be cleaned up for centuries…CENTURIES! As in 500 years plus… or probably never.

I do not know of any company in the whole wide world to have that kind of money or morals to be responsible for an environmental clean-up that last for centuries. Do you? It is unheard of. That’s what bankruptcy is for… Then you know who gets to foot the bill?! That’s right… Tax payers. Slick trick right?! They get what they want and move on to the next area to ravage.

This is happening and common practice in places all over the US our environment is under attack by money hungry corporations that take no responsibility for their actions. Currently there is talk of opening Federal Land for Resource grabbing as in Fracking Yellow Stone National Park, Grand Canyon, etc.

Our “resources” like clean water and air are what keep us alive. A few years of jobs is not worth the risk of ruining the region for the next 500 years of toxic pollution; ruining the precious wilderness we all hold as a pride in the natural beauty our native home of Minnesota boasts.

There are already many people in the Ely, MN area that are protesting and voicing their avid rejection of the sulfite-ore copper mining proposal. There are also people who are in favor of it, because it will bring jobs to the area. I do understand the need for jobs, I do not understand the need to poison ourselves and the land we love for short term reward.

This ball is rolling right now my friends and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area NEEDS YOU to be its voice! The trees, pristine waters, fish and wild life in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area cannot defend or speak for themselves. We need to take responsibility for our land before someone else takes it from us. If it’s accidental or on purpose if this area is polluted and ravaged by toxic waste, we will have lost one of the last pristine wild areas left in the United States of America.

You may think I am exaggerating but I am not friends. Do your own research and discover for yourself the depth of water pollution in the US, it will frighten and astound you. We are on the verge of water wars because of our misuse of the natural resources we have been blessed with. It is not every day citizens like you and me doing this polluting and pillaging.

We must unite and say enough is enough, this is happening in all states in some area not too far from you, and it’s up to us to be paying attention. We are letting the Fox guard the Hen house, government officials are not doing their jobs, looking the other way of the citizens protesting the impending pollution.

Please help by signing this petition to stop sulfite-ore copper mining from impending devastation in Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/

Sending love and blessing to my fellow Earth Warriors,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

Please follow me on Facebook and WordPress by following the links below

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

emyminzel.com

 

 

(https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/how-help/distribute-fact-sheets)

(www.bwcasulfitemining.org)

(http://www.friends-bwca.org/issues/sulfide-mining)

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#batshitpassionate

emyminzel

I am an avid nature lover, I consider myself an Earth Warrior or in other words… an Environmental Activist. After finding out the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota is under looming threat of toxic sulfite-ore copper mining threatening imminent devastating pollution lasting for over 500 years, I feel deep in my soul that I NEED to do something, ANYTHING to raise awareness and call the rest of my fellow Earth Warriors in to battle against this mining proposal. The BWCA is a magical place, it deserves our protection and nurturing, we must not allow corporate interests to spoil this beautiful treasure of Minnesota.

I have always loved nature, but I never got to involved with politics. After doing my research on why and how all this pollution is happening, that is exactly how my political interests kicked. You follow the money, when it comes to large corporations polluting the planet it will surprise many people to know that it is all legal thanks to the Clean Air and Water Act which just happens to be very corporate polluter friendly.

Special interests have paid for the right to desolate, devastate and pollute, while ‘our’ politicians paid to represent us, are happy to sign those bills for a big enough check. It is regular practice of polluting Corporations to just pay the fine by the EPA instead of complying with the regulations continuing with business as usual polluting anyway.

As an environmentalist, I am horrified how we treat the Earth. How we  brazenly manipulate or destroy nature to somehow make it work “better” for us is downright ego-maniacal. We need to work with her forces; we will never better ourselves by trying to poison the earth and battle against the nature of life.

Corporations (which are “people” according to Citizens United) are irresponsibly ravaging the planet, consuming her relentlessly, buying our government, taking all they want to support our demand for a high tech, fast paced, modern, and may I add unhealthy way of life, with no regard for life or the communities they affect by doing so.

We can start to help by doing little things, voting with your dollar, composting, reducing waste, and recycling. I have heard people say, “I don’t have time for recycling!” Really?! You don’t have time to put an aluminum can in a separate garbage can? They make big garbage containers just for that now they even come to your house and take it away. We need to recycle so much more then cans.

It blows my mind how obtuse people can be about the pollution problem of the planet, yet if we all put in just a little effort it would add up. There’s garbage in the oceans, acidifying and killing the coral reefs and poisoning the fish we over consume. What are we doing about the nuclear radiation still leaking into the ocean in Fukushima, Japan? Nothing. We are doing nothing.

I have learned factory farming leaving toxic cesspools of feces leading to increasing emissions, I’ve learned Fracking for “natural gas” is clearly poisoning land and drinking water, but is conveniently exempt from the Clean Water Act or any form of prosecution?! Fracking waste has been proven to cause all kinds of health issues not to mention how to get “rid” of the waste and the gasses that come up from sites polluting the air and everyone around it. Now they are using the polluted water from fracking waste solution to water crops of the food you buy in the super market near you.

I wish being informed on the health of the earth and our environment was part of the nightly news along with the nightly weather report. We would all be astonished if it were to learn the truth of things. You would worry for your children’s future and you would be as angry about it as I am. This is where my involvement in politics kicks in, I do encourage you to get involved if these words ring true to you.

We can and will make a difference if we do it together.

Please help by signing this petition to stop sulfite-ore copper mining from impending devastation that could destroy the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/

Sending love and blessing to my fellow Earth Warriors,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister