Cassi's Birthday Weekend

As we started this trip, I wanted to look back on the week. First, I should say that Sunday is my birthday. SO, Monday I got birthday week flowers. Tuesday started the clues of the road trip with a mustache & the card said, "I moustache if you’re ready for another #SchreckenWeissRoadTrip. Wednesday were tickets to the Channhassen Dinner Theater Comedy Show Stevie Rays Cabaret! (I'll get back to Thursday tomorrow) but how sweet is that, he is so good to me.

The first part of the road trip was to Channhassen! I was so excited, we left work early (Wait, Michael doesn’t work in the summer, so I left work early) headed up. We stayed at the Oak Ridge hotel & Conference Center, very nice rooms, tucked back by a lake, on site bar and restaurant with patio, fire pits, and a 1.5 mile paved path around the small lake behind the hotel!
The hotel also had a shuttle, so we took that to the show. Michael warned me we were close to the front, and boy was he right. I am talking front & center. My foot rested on the stage. We were both a little panicked that we would be called out…. However, they didn’t! They messed with Michael a couple times but nothing bad. The dinner was delicious too! I had chicken Chanhassen & Michael had the Sirloin. Both were good, but let’s talk about the Carrot Cake, HOLY SH**. (I’m not going to swear here because I think my hockey kids might read this) but seriously I love carrot cake. 




Day 2: 

My gift / hint on Thursday was a 6 pack of beer from Liftbridge Brewery.  Obviously were were headed to Stillwater! BUT before we left, we had to stop in Chaska and see the Worlds Largest Moustace! (See Clue #1).







Then we headed to Stillwater.  First things first, we went over the new bridge that was just opened. The old lift bridge was closed and will have some work done before being reopened as a pedestrian and bike bridge.  Then we headed downtown for a morning of adventure, we walked the pier, shopped a little bit & then had lunch at Tin Bins. Very cool spot, we shared a plate of nachos and I got a Cucumber Bloddy Mary.  Rule number 36, never pass up a good Bloody Mary!


Next we left downtown (which was SO busy) and headed to Lift Bridge Brewery which was out of the down town area. We shared a flight of 4 beers.

Hop Dish- Very Hoppy like the name says, and not too much bitter on the back end
Mango Blonde - Their best seller right now & dang its good! not to sweet either. 
Sour Effect- I love a good sour and this was good but it was black ale that was soured and that not my favorite.
Hefeweisen- average.. 

Next we headed to the hotel, which I was told was the America's Best Value Inn right by the brewery. WHICH happened to be robbed by Spiderman (seriously google it). But I was in for yet again another surprise. As we pulled up, we were staying at the Water Street Inn right in the heart of downtown and in front of the Lift Bridge. Not only does this hotel have an amazing location, the rooms are all historic, capturing the beauty of the past and putting it in these rooms. Our view out of the room looks straight on to the lift bridge.

So since we were staying downtown, we went walking and ended up finding the other brewery, Maple Island, so we stopped in for a beer. I had the Sandbar Summer Ale which was so light and refreshing but didn't lack flavor. Michael had the Extra Puckin' Awesome EPA which was a little stronger as it was an EPA but still a great summer drink.


For dinner we went to Portside, which was newly remodled, and had fully new menu. The venue was

great, all original hardwoods, beautiful brick interior and a view that was to die for. They also had a rooftop patio which was another reason we choose this place. We figured getting a spot on the patio there we would be a wait, so we got on the list sat at the bar and had the bruchetta, which was amazing, the flavlors were so fresh. Once we got our table on the rooftop, it made the hour wait worth it. (literally first on the list and we waited an hour). The views span from the lift bridge to the new bridge and beyond. I ordered the Tuna Poke, which is fresh tuna, mango salsa, avacado in a pinapple bowl, beautifuly presented and the flavors were great. Michael had the Ahi Tuna, which essential was a constructed version of what I got but his had handmade wanton tortillas.


Since its my birthday weekend and I dont like cake, we hit up the ice cream shop. For those of you that dont know me, I would eat ice cream 7 times a day if I could.  As we sat on the pier and ate, it was so relaxing and as we walked around I'll be honest, I was cold, tired and getting a little crabby. But Michael was so persistant on taking a walk, so I listened. all of a sudden we were alone and I looked and he was down on one knee, I honestly blacked out, I remember him saying I'm glad you take adventures with me and lots of other super romantic stuff (Michael edit).  I am not entirely sure I said yes, but he guarenteed me that I did and at the very least let him put the ring on my finger (he took that as a yes).




Needless to say this #SchreckenweissRoadTrip will be one to remember






















Day 3:
I thought the fun stopped there, We had plans to go out to eat with my parents & grandma. I was so excited to tell her, because she is 90 and wants to attend another wedding, and grandma gets what she wants!

When we got to grandmas, I thought we were going out to eat, I gave her a hug, looked up and my family, Michael's family and my friends were there to surprise me! But, they thought they were just here for a suprise birthday party & we had the pleasure of suprising them the fact that we were engaged! It was so great to spend this special time with my family, and on a sappy note, Michael did such an amazing job planning the most perfect birthday/enagment weekend. I am so lucky to have him forever.





372 Miles
3 Cities 
2 Breweries
1 Engagement

4th of July 2017

Road Trip Number 2 was on the 4th July 2017.  The fourth was on a Tuesday... so I thought I might as well take the whole week off right. (Michael always has the 4th off... must be rough) 

So we ventured off...






Stop 1: Detroit Lakes 
Many games of beanbags, boat rides, Jet Ski, paddleboard and breaking in the "Garage Bar". We also took a classic stop to Zorbaz for some Macho Nachoz. 


Worlds Largest Otter in Fergus Falls






Stop 2: Cushing 
Again, Lake Time! Not the focus of this blog so I am going to skip over this. HOWEVER, I will say my dad made handmade life-size Jenga that was AWESOME! 

Stop 3: Nisswa 
To be honest, we (Cassi) spent a good chunk of the day shopping, but we stopped at Big Axe Brewery for beer and lunch and they did not disappoint. Then we stopped at Gull Dam Brewery and played a game of life sized beer pong, which is basically basketball, so for a couple of hockey coaches, it look double the amount of time it should. The beer was okay, but the venue must be what people go there for! Next stop, the Iron Waffle, which is only open until 3 and we left the brewery at 2:50. (Made it at 2:57) and we had ice cream sandwiches but instead of cookie, it was a waffle... talk about amazing! Also downtown Nisswa does Turtle Races. I am easily entertained and really wanted to do it but it was more of kid thing...

Stop 4: Baxter/Brainerd 
We went with my family to Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter for some GREAT BEER. The Jalapeno had to come home with me in a Growler... Their venue is brand new, and they went the whole 9 yards there. The patio is great size, inside is nice and large with unique touches. We also ordered in Raferty's pizza, which was AMAZING, and that was not the beer talking. After dinner, we went to Roundhouse Brewery, I could not do a whole flight, considering this was the fourth brewery of the day. However, the IPA I had was very good. The venue is amazing as well; they are located in an old train station, not much of a patio but still cool. 






Stop 5: Crosby 
We stopped in Crosby to rent some bikes to take around town, but when Michael found out that they have some of the best mountain biking trails in the area we changed our minds. We had never mountain biked before but we did it anyway. We ended up staying out on the trails for 2 hours and went 8 miles. We were BEAT after that; luckily, we had packed some sandwiches so we did take a break to eat those. After biking, we needed more food so we went to Red Raven for a beer, and shared a sandwich, which was delicious. 

Stop 6: Warba / Grand Rapids 
 My Cousin lives in Warba so we spent night with them went for a boat ride, had some BBQ & just relaxed. It was a great night! The next day we went into GR for lunch. We ate at Bixby's in the YMCA, very cool spot and very good food. 

Paul Bunyan #1 - Brainered, MN
Deer - Deerwood, MN




Stop 7: Bemidji  
Since we were venturing back to DL to spend the next weekend at the lake, we decided to head up to Bemidji, where we found cute shops downtown & PAUL BUNYON! 


Paul & Babe - Bemidji, MN
Large Northern Pike - Deer River, MN
Big Fish Supper Club - Bena, MN





Stop 8: Detroit Lakes 


More Lake time and perfect weather to go with it! 



On the way there we saw....

Worlds Largest Paul Bunyan - Akeley, MN
Worlds Largest Tiger Muskie - Nevis, MN







Stop 9: HOME!!! 
To our very cute kitty. :) that we literally had to facetime at one point! (Thanks to Dee & Addi for watching him)

Total States: 1
Total Countries: q 
Total Days: 10
Total Miles: 800

The Start of #SchreckenweissRoadTrip


You are all probably wondering how this #SchreckenweissRoadTrip Blog started...

Two years ago for Fourth of July, Michael and I had a WHOLE week off from hockey camp. So we obviously wanted to go to our parents cabins, but what would we do the rest of the week? Go on a road trip of course! Michael’s grandparents and Aunt/Uncle live in Roseau, and we have always had a weird obsession with Canada (mostly me). So that was an easy route for our first #SchreckenweissRoadTrip!



Stop 1: Cushing, MN (My Parent's Cabin)
 
We stopped to see the World’s Largest Crow in Belgrade and ironically, I was attacked by a crow while we were there...








Stop 2: Detroit Lakes, MN (Michael's Parents Cabin)
Large Tractor - New York Mills, MN 
World’s Largest Turkey-  Frazee, MN 
World’s Largest Pelican- Pelican Rapids, MN
World’s Largest Loon - Vergas, MN

Also added a photo of Michael and Lennon because how cute is she!





Stop 3: Roseau, MN (Michael's Grandparents)
Toured Polaris 
Took his uncles ranger out because it's legal to drive on the road!  
Shot the BB gun (I won going 5 for 5) 
Went on the neighbor's zip line...
World’s Largest Northern, Erskine, MN 





Stop 4: Winnipeg, MN 
40 Ft Rolls Royce - Steinbach, Manitoba 
The Forks- Unique shops for food, local beer, and local gifts.
Smoke's Poutinerie - Every kind of poutine you could possibly imagine!
We stayed a boutique hotel called The Mere Hotel
Very nice, unique and good location! 






Stop 5: Moorhead, MN (stayed the night at Michael’s parents)
 
World’s Largest Catfish- Wahpeton, ND






Stop 6: HOME! 
To our super cute kitty named Radish, who hates when we leave. 











Total States: 2
Total Countries: 2 
Total Days: 10
Total Miles: 939























4th of July 2019!

Day 1-  We started our trek from Marshall up to the schreckenghaust cabin in Cushing. We started off with Sibley state park. A 5 mile hike t...