Low-Carb Vacation (carbon, that is)

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Last week we took a mini-vacation to Hastings, Minnesota for an overnight stay at The Classic Rosewood Inn. I wanted to bring this lovely B&B to your attention for a couple of reasons.

  • Hastings is a short drive from the Twin Cities so no need to burn up a lot of gas for a nice little getaway. There is a nature center that would interest kids. Lots of antique shops close by each other for a day of walking. For history buffs, there’s a historic estate down the road — the LeDuc Estate. A winery just south of town offers tours in the spring and summer. And the town is located at the convergence of two rivers so plenty of boating opportunities, as well as many trails for walking and biking.
  • The Rosewood is an 1880 Queen Anne building with beautiful, unique rooms, an interesting history and, I hope, a long future. The owners, Dick and Pam Thorsen, are committed to the three R’s — reduce, reuse and recycle.


    • Dick and Pam have saved two historic buildings in Hastings from demolition, and restored them using mostly recycled materials rescued from other buildings. For example, the copper soaking tub in Mississippi Suite is from a mansion in St. Cloud. The marble in the bathrooms and fireplace hearths and much of the carpeting throughout the Inn was rescued from the Minneapolis Sheraton Ritz Hotel which was demolished in 1988. They help guests recycle by placing recycling receptacles in the halls.

    They don’t put out small plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap to be used up and thrown away, but explained on the large bottles in the room that they refill each bottle. They use locally made soap and the shampoo and conditioner is from BeeKind (Gilchrist & Soames). The company uses recyclable packaging and a portion of their profits support honey bee and sustainable pollination research at the University of California at Davis Entomology Department. I can attest that it is luscious. You can buy the shampoo at the Inn for a considerable discount.

    Every home and every business presents so many opportunities for minimizing impact. Dick and Pam have done a great job thinking comprehensively about what they can do and taking action in myriad ways to make this old building and their business green and sustainable. Learn more about the Classic Rosewood Inn’s green policy.

    While we were in town, we spent a little money supporting the local economy. We had a lovely dinner at the independently owned Onion Grille and bought a locally woven winter cap from Chrysalis Handmade Gifts (yarn was locally grown as well).

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