Checked into the Mill Boutique Hotel in Fergus Falls. This place has just opened up and is still getting things set up. I dig the setup in an old mill building. If your a fan of exposed brick and concrete this is the place for you.
The Experiment at Escape Room Alexandria
We made a stop at Escape Room Alexandria today and did “The Experiment”. We successfully solved the room and escaped with 6m 46s on the clock. The room had a cool flow starting with a set of puzzles that we were able to divide and do in parallel. Then we hit a whole different set of puzzles that required more communication and coordination. We had a fun time puzzling through everything and ultimately escaping.
Afterward we were able to chat with Lindsay, one of the owners, and shared a ton of great rooms that we’ve done. She has done over two hundred rooms and she also knew the folks that run Copper Cat, which is where we got the recommendation for this stop. Room 80!
Stopped in Alexandria to try Up North Ice Cream. Tons of flavors all made in-house and delicious. They had a Sweet Corn ice cream that was pretty wild.
QMSB Trip - Day 12
Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 8.
✅ Quebec ✅ Montreal ✅ Stowe 🔲 Bismarck
- Check out of Airbnb.
- Everyone has light breakfast and coffee at Stowe Bee Cafe.
- Shopping in Stowe before we have to leave.
- One last Maple Creemee at Red Barn Ice Cream.
- Drive to Burlington.
- Return rental car.
- DL 4901 back to Minneapolis.
- Olson Family Vacation 2025 officially concludes.
- Pit stop at home for one night before starting the final segment of our trip.
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.
Writing is Thinking
With the ever growing cadre of tools that can help us create this is an important reminder that Writing is Thinking from Nature.
However, writing is not only about reporting results; it also provides a tool to uncover new thoughts and ideas. Writing compels us to think — not in the chaotic, non-linear way our minds typically wander, but in a structured, intentional manner. By writing it down, we can sort years of research, data and analysis into an actual story, thereby identifying our main message and the influence of our work.
Sometimes folks ask me if I use AI to help write the Weekly Thing and I tell them something just like this. No. I do not. Because the Weekly Thing is part of how I continue to learn myself. If I were to delegate that I would miss my own goal of learning.
A secondary desire of mine is to become a better writer. I suspect the best way to do that is to write more. And if writing is indeed thinking, does becoming a better writer make you a better thinker? I think so.
QMSB Trip - Day 11
Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 7.
- Catching up on some blogging to start the day.
- Coffee run to Vermont Artisinal Coffee.
- Von Trapp Family Resort History Tour.
- Lunch at Von Trapp Resort Bierhall.
- Return to Von Trapp Lodge and hike up to the Chapel.
- Rent bikes and Tammy and I ride the trail in Stowe.
- Farewell dinner at Idletyme Brewing Company
- Final night hangout at Airbnb.
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.
Olson Family Vacation 2025.
Tammy and I cycled 8.28 miles in 49.7 minutes on the Stowe Recreation Path. Ran out of time to do the last bit but covered most of it. 🚴♂️
QMSB Trip - Day 10
Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 6.
- Drive to Burlington for bike ride.
- Morning snacks at August First.
- Rent bikes at Local Motion and ride Island Line Trail, take Bike Ferry, and go South Hero.
- Get too much chocolate at NU Chocolat.
- Drive back to Airbnb.
- Afternoon relax in the pool.
- Dad’s take the kids to dinner. First place is closed so fallback to Doc Ponds. Women are out for dinner The Bistro at Ten Acres.
- Stop for Maple Creemees at Red Barn Ice Cream.
- Return to Airbnb for the night.
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.
We all rented bikes at [Local Motion](Island Line Trail in Burlington and rode the Island Line Trail over the Colchester Causeway. We took the Bike Ferry across “the gap” and finally turned around at Allenholm Farms on South Hero Island and made our way back.
Riding the Colchester Causeway on the Island Line Trail in Burlington, Vermont. The causeway itself is 3 miles long.
Morning cappuccino at Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea. Very good.
QMSB Trip - Day 9
Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 5.
- Max and I drive and get six cups of really terrible coffee.
- Put the Hungarian Grand Prix on my laptop and watch with some others while Ferrari goes from leading the race to not even making it on the podium.
- The Grand Prix viewers leave the Airbnb and drive to Stowe Farmer’s Market for delightful food.
- Farmer’s Market Highlights: Incredible Blueberries, amazing baked goods from Two Son’s bakery, delicious brisket from Black Diamond Barbecue, great bike blended smoothie, popcorn to go for the evening.
- Drive to Stowe Bee Bakery and get a delicious Iced Maple Latte.
- Head back to Airbnb for afternoon in the pool.
- Go to Stowe for some shopping and exploring.
- Return to Airbnb and collect everyone to head to Ben & Jerry’s Experience.
- Go to Doc Ponds for dinner.
- Return to Airbnb for the rest of the evening.
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.
We took the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour and got to see their original location where they are still making a ton of ice cream today. The tour ended with a custom flavor they had prepared for the day and then of course a visit to the scoop shop!
Super good soft serve Maple Creamie at Red Barn Ice Cream. 🍦
Blending my smoothie by bike at the Stowe Farmers Market this morning.
Brilliant 2.0 sec pit stop from Ferrari in Budapest this morning! 🏎️
POAP 7402510 at Magnifico at Escaparium 🎪.
QMSB Trip - Day 8
Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 4.
- Saturday and coffee shops downtown open later. Find Columbuse Cafe open at 7am. The WiFi is good and appreciate them being open.
- Transfer to Structure Coffee when open at 8am.
- Pack up and check out of Sonder.
- Drive to Laval for our long planned escape room for today.
- Experience Magnifico at Escaparium Laval — the #1 rated escape room in the world.
- Lunch at Birdhouse.
- Ice cream at Gaufres et Glaces for last opportunity for super good Canadian dipped cones.
- Cross into United States at 4:46pm.
- Arrive at Airbnb at 6:06 PM.
- Everyone finds there various rooms.
- Pizza ordered in for dinner.
- Pool and hot tub evening.
- Turn in for the evening.
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.