It’s finally starting to feel like fall around these parts and we couldn’t be happier. 🎉🎉🎉

Last weekend we got up to Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township, about 20 minutes north of St. Paul, where the leaves are starting to turn. We did a three-mile walk along floating boardwalks and manicured woodland trails in the 320-acre preserve, located within Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park, keeping our eyes peeled for dragonflies in the wetland area and turkey vultures overhead. Lots of other visitors had the same idea, though the park never felt crowded. We also spotted two families dressed in matching Minnesota plaids; each had a professional photographer in tow. Tis the season for colorful photo shoots!

Other highlights from our mini excursion to White Bear Lake included….

Photo: Haus Theory

🛍 A visit to Haus Theory’s new brick-and-mortar shop. If you dig Carousel + Folk, Southside Vintage, Arlee Park, Golden Age Design, The Foundry Home Goods, etc., you’ll love all the vintage/MCM furniture and Scandi-minimalist goodies this sweet home shop has to offer. We scored a beautifully refurbished mid-century teak record cabinet for under $500 and may go back for a trio of funky lucite-and-brass candle holders.

🍕 Chicago-style deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Pezzo, which has locations in White Bear and Woodbury. Though we waited more than an hour for our pie to bake, the Wrigley was a dream come true with its hunks of housemade Italian sausage, crispy pepperoni, and truckloads of melty mozzarella. Two slices per person and we were D-O-N-E for the night. Too bad too, ‘cause we were hoping to hit up Cup and Cone afterward. Next time!

Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Rd., White Bear Lake, MN; 651-266-0360.

Haus Theory
2182 3rd St., White Bear Lake, MN; 651-429-0963.

Pizzeria Pezzo
2143 4th St., White Bear Lake, MN; 651-788-7844.