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A Peaceful Dragon:
Jill and Joan’s Two Airbnbs in Upsala, Minnesota

See what the stars looks like! Jill and Joan have been superhosts since 2017. We welcome you!

Please click on our walking tour to see our property. Since we recorded it, we’ve added a pergola over the hot tub. A sauna opened as part of Stargazer bookings starting January 2021. For complete information, pics, reviews, etc., please click on the above links.

We also were featured on PBS in January 2021! Here’s the link: https://video.kqed.org/video/sky-high-zwsfyc/

Timber-frame Cottage in the Heart of Rural Minnesota (above left picture with interior inset):
The Timber-frame Cottage is beautiful and light. Its timbers were locally harvested and it is artfully crafted and decorated, with a soaring loft area accessed by ladder, and cozy living space with gas fireplace. There is a very large fenced 20′ X 30′ deck with chairs in the front of the cottage, a smaller, more private deck outside the back patio door, and a covered porch with seating. The area is generally quiet and peaceful. The cottage has a full-size refrigerator.

Stargazer Skycabin (above right with interior inset)
Stargazer sits at the highest point of our area. It offers a vaulted ceiling, 53 windows (stained, leaded and regular) and skylights. It reflects our love of LOTR, and is magical and restful. Not a true treehouse (trees sway, die,…bad idea!), it is built on stilts that have been wrapped with tree skins and features 2 decks (upper and under) and it’s own fenced Shire Garden. It even has a dumbwaiter to assist with getting your luggage and supplies up where you will stay. Stargazer has a small refrigerator.

Our 2+-acres (fenced) is our year-round residence, upon which we offer three Airbnb properties (see descriptions above). This includes year-round use of our hot tub. All properties have free Wi-Fi, and the Cottage and Skycabin feature a kitchen (refrigerator, gas oven with four burners, microwave, sink), gas fireplace, full bath with shower and flush toilet.

Diversity is most welcome. We welcome families, singles, couples, and pets. We have 2 dogs & 2 cats (all take their ambassadorial duties very seriously and likely will visit), chickens and a water feature (fountain and 16′ waterfall), creating pleasant “white” noise.

Lots of local outdoor activities and meal options are close by. To name a few:
–The city park/playground, Bullfrogs Bar-n-Grill & Cynthia’s Kitchen and Cocktails restaurant and our local frisbee park are all within walking distance. There is an outdoor ice rink at our school that is open to the public during winter, just 2 blocks away.
–3 miles from Cedar Lake Memorial Campground (boating, fishing & magnificent descending beach to swimming area)
–7 miles from Big Birch Lake (boating, fishing) and the historic Rock Tavern restaurant
–8 miles from the beautiful Soo Line Trail from Bowlus to Holdingford (hiking, biking & snowmobiling) and Jordie’s Trailside Café.
–9 miles in the other direction on the Soo Line Trail is Art in Motion and Boho’s Cafe (right on the trail).
–13 miles from Hemker Family-Owned Zoo
–15 miles from Big Swan Lake (recommended by our guests for kayaking)
–22 miles from Charles Lindbergh State Park and birthplace
–22 miles from Pine Grove Zoo in Little Falls (small but nice local zoo)
–27 miles from Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (features luminaria-lit night cross-country skiing)
–30 miles from El Rancho Manana which offers horseback riding, activities and more.
We are 1.5 – 2 hours from the Twin Cities.

Hunters and fishing folk are welcome during their respective seasons. For local hunting/fishing opportunities, please look up Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). We are in the corner of three counties: Morrison, Stearns and Todd, and we recommend starting your searches there.

Guest access
The properties will be unlocked for you prior to your arrival. Parking is available on property, the street and/or on the left side of the driveway. The two acres are open to all our guests and are yours to share and roam. Paved roads and very low traffic make for good bicycling and we have bike and walking trails nearby.

Other things to note
A note to parents with younger children: We welcome your family, but have noticed some common issues to be aware of. We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, chickens, zip lines, a dragon sculpture, and a waterfall feature on the property–all attractive to children. Please help your children to respect and treat the animals gently (for instance, not chasing the chickens), monitor their use of the zip lines, and to enjoy the dragon and waterfall without playing on/in them.
Also, please be aware that other guests may be in one or both of the other guest properties on site, and be mindful of their right to a peaceful stay.