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Bert and Ernie are our Bernese Mountain Dogs. We live in Minneapolis and love exploring our region with the pups. You can count on us to share recommendations for weekend itineraries, dog friendly places to stay, and outdoor activities.

We're outside all year long, even in our cold Minnesota winters. Most weekends, you can find us going for a hike and checking out a local brewery. So far, we've visited more than 60 of Minnesota's state parks! In the summer, Bert and Ernie are often in and around the water swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, or boating with us. In the winter, we take them along on snowshoe hikes.

Click in to the blog to find dog friendly road trip ideas, outdoor adventures, Midwest weekend inspiration, and more!

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Our friends at daycare sure outdid themselves with Bert Bert’s birthday photo shoot! 📸

Which look is your favorite for our birthday bear and brother bear?? 🥳

#bertoftheday

Happy BERTDAY!! 🥳 5️⃣

Every year with you is a gift. We love you, Bert Bert! 💙

#bertoftheday

Hippity hoppity - it’s the Easter Bernie!

Wishing all our friends a happy Easter! 🐣

Peanut buddahhhhhh 🤤

Bert Bert takes his anxiety meds wrapped in a slice of cheese most nights, but sometimes we switch it up with a spoonful of peanut butter! Whenever Ernie has to take meds, PB or Greek yogurt tend to the trick.

Anxiety meds have made a HUGE difference for our sweet Bert. He’s been on Prozac for about 6 months and he’s much calmer and happier for it!

#bertoftheday

There is so much to do in Eau Claire with your dog! We loved our visit to this city about 90 mins from Minneapolis. The riverfront and walkable downtown are great for strolling with pups, and there’s plenty to see with a large collection of murals and more than 80 pieces of public art.

@visiteauclaire is a college town, home to UW-Eau Claire, and it’s also home to musician @boniver

STAY • @oxbowhotel
PLAY • Phoenix Park & @sculpturetour.ec
EAT • @racydlenes
DRINK • @thebrewingprojekt & The Joynt

#ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

Last week, Ernie did something that I’ve never experienced as a pet owner. We were about 2 hours into a 3 hour road trip, and all of a sudden I heard a small plbbbtt sound. Thinking it was the baby in the back seat, I reached behind me to check on her, but she was soundly sleeping. Then, a horrible smell reached me. 😦

Ernie had pooped ALL over the 3rd row of our vehicle, and all over poor Bert! 😳

We were 15 miles from the nearest gas station so we rode in the stink and game-planned how we were possibly going to triage this situation. It was dark, end of February, northern Wisconsin, about 5 degrees outside. COLD. And our car was packed to the brim with gear for our weekend.

When we pulled over, we bought some paper towels and Clorox wipes from the gas station, unloaded the car, and inspected the damage to the back seat. And oh was there damage! 😱 Luckily we had emergency dog leashes in the center console, so we hooked the boys up and Clorox-wiped the diarrhea off them as best we could. Then we attempted to wipe up the seats (and floor mats, and seat belts, and buckles, and cup holders…) as best we could before getting too cold. A golf umbrella that had been sitting on the floor ended up in the gas station trash, completely unsalvageable 🤢

We made it to our destination in our stinky car, got Ernie some meds, and let it sit in the cold outside overnight. When we finally mustered up the courage to examine it in daylight, we used plenty of Nature’s Miracle to make it habitable for the 3 hour drive home. We took the vehicle to get detailed ASAP, and now it’s better than before with no residual poo smell! ($300 later…)

Has this ever happened to you?! 💩

#ernieoftheday

The @americanbirkebeiner is finishing downtown! Keep thinking snowy thoughts over the next few days, but a week from now, the first events of the 51st Birkie will be kicking off ❄️

We love this annual celebration of winter and the outdoors in @hayward_wisconsin. The event brings thousands of spectators and participants from all over the world to the North Woods of Wisconsin for all sorts of snowy fun! We will be there this year - excited to watch the finishers ski down Main Street!

#ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

B&E are big dogs, but they look small next to these big things! We have seen lots of roadside attractions throughout our travels and today we’re rounding up a couple of our faves. Have you seen any of these spectacles?!

🐻 @smokeybear - Hill City, SD
🎣 Willie the Walleye - Baudette, MN
🐻 Smokey (again!) - International Falls, MN
🦦 Otto the Otter - @fergusfallsmn
🪓 Paul Bunyan & Babe - @visitbemidji
🐦 Loon - Vergas, MN
🪓 Paul Bunyan (again!) - Akeley, MN
🍦Dilly Bar - @fargomoorhead (Moorhead, MN)

We use the @roadside_america and @autioapp to find fun attractions along the way when we travel, and we’re never shy about pulling off for a quick photo!

Which one of these big things is your favorite?

#ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

“Please drop something, please drop something, please drop something” 🙏🏼

Ernie is learning to be a gentle and respectful big brother. He either lays down at baby sister’s feet or backs his bum up against the wall so he’s out of chomping range.

#ernieoftheday

The boys in their element ❄️ 😀
We have had a really un-snowy winter here in MN, so I’m sharing some of my favorite snow dog pics from years past!

We still have 2.5 months before it’s reliably warm, so I am hoping for some snow through the rest of winter! Might as well be able to get out in it and enjoy vs. the windy, super cold and dry weather. We haven’t even had enough snow to go snowshoeing yet!

What about you?? ⬇️

It’s the 20th year of the @uspondhockey championships in Minneapolis! 🏒

This winter favorite event is ON at Lake Nokomis starting Jan. 22 and running through Jan. 26th. Spectators (and dogs!) are welcome to walk around the 24 rinks on the lake and watch some 4v4 action. Loads of free parking all around the lake.

Be sure to dress warmly! 🧊

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

Here comes the sun ☀️

It’s bitterly cold in Mpls right now, but we have our first post-5 pm sunset to look forward to this weekend!! Finding the bright side even in the middle of January😎

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

Bert Bert is in his happy place ❄️ We love Berner weather!

No complaints about the snow here 😌

#bertoftheday

Here’s an INDOOR spot you can bring your dog for a drink in Duluth! 🥃

📍 @vikredistillery - Duluth, MN

Right next to the lift bridge (great photo op!), sidle in to Vikre with your leashed pup for a cocktail or two. The menu’s always changing, and there are N.A. options too if that’s more your speed. Water bowls available for thirsty pups 🙂

Note that the cocktail room is cozy and tables are close together - know your dog and set them up for success when visiting dog friendly spaces! 🫶🏻

Have you visited Vikre?

Our very best to all of you, friends, for a happy and healthy 2025! 🎆

We love you very much and are so glad you’re here 🫶🏻
Thanks for following along on our adventures and day to day life!

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

Spending the week on the couch, how about you? 🛋️

This Christmas to New Year’s stretch is fun and lazy! We’re enjoying our holiday decorations for another week or so, then we’ll take everything down next weekend.

#ernieoftheday

Should the boys wear their Christmas sweaters again this year? 🎄

B&E wear bandanas sometimes, but most of the time they are bears au naturel. We save the sweaters for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day only!

Our old golden Ted loved wearing sweaters. He’d rotate through a couple from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day 😂

The Christmas countdown is ON! Have you taken your dog to see lights yet this year? 🎄

Driving through @kiwanislights in Mankato is one of our favorite holiday traditions, and Ernie thinks it’s the best day of the year! He likes it even better than the first lake swim of the season, and that’s saying something.

Are you ready for Christmas?? 🎄

We got our wreath from @mitzacreekfarm today so our decorating is done ✅ but we still have a little bit of shopping to do 🎁

We will be staying home for Christmas this year, but might pop back up to Hayward after the holiday!

We take up the whole sidewalk 😂
Bert and Ernie are getting good at walking next to the stroller! We had a nice family walk today by Minnehaha Creek and enjoyed a not-too-cold day after an awfully blustery and chilly stretch!

Have a good weekend, friends ❤️💙

Bert Bert has a joke for you!

What do you call it when a snowman has a temper tantrum? ⛄️

A meltdown!

(Throwback pic of Bert preparing for his first Christmas in 2020 at 7 months old!)

A girl’s best friend 🫶🏻

It’s been so interesting to see how the boys’ relationships with baby sis have evolved over their first year together. Ernie took longer than Bert to adjust to baby sis but now is such a patient big brother to her. She loves to pat-pat-pat his fluffy fur, and Ernie is always waiting patiently under the high chair when it’s time for a meal.

#ernieoftheday

📍 Mankato, MN - Kiwanis Holiday Lights

Friday, 11/29 thru Tuesday, 12/31
5-9 pm weekdays, 5-10 pm Friday & Saturday

This 🌟 free 🌟 light show is one of our favorite dog friendly holiday traditions! Drive through an amazing display in Sibley Park, complete with synchronized music, reindeer, and the big guy himself 🎅🏼 !

Humans can get out and walk, but pups must remain in your vehicle. We like to drive through with the windows down so the boys can take in the scene. Ernie especially loves seeing the lights each year. We started this tradition in 2021 and love making the trip each year!

Donations ($ and non-perishable food) accepted for various local organizations.

#ernieoftheday

It’s hunting season! 🧡
Make sure to wear your blaze orange when you’re out in nature in places where people could be hunting. This includes Minnesota State Parks!
Check each park’s page before you head out to learn about hunting days and closures. Some parks are partially or completely closed on various weekends over the next month or so for hunters.

When we hike on the Birkie Trail in Hayward, we’re adjacent to land where hunting can take place, so everybody (humans and pups) wears blaze orange for safety.

Bert’s vest is @safetypup 🧡

#bertoftheday

We are putting together our menu for Thanksgiving next week! What’s your favorite snack to nibble at the holidays? 🦃

We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house for the first time this year! B&E are excited for lots of guests ☺️

#bertoftheday

It’s stick season!

Trails are always kinda quiet this time of year. We like getting out on a sunny day even if it’s the in-between time after the leaves are down but before the snow shows up.

📍 Lake Maria State Park - Monticello, MN

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

It’s time to get ready for one of our favorite traditions 💌We love sending you holiday cards each year!

Head to the 🔗 on our page and fill out the form with your mailing info to receive a card from the boys.

📬 Even if you have gotten a card from us in the past, please fill out your info again. We start the list from scratch each year!

📬 International friends - we will send you a card too! Last year we sent mail to 12 countries 🌎

Get ready for some happy mail 🐾

Big bro, lil bro dump 🐻🧸

The boys still love to cuddle (and wrestle). Ernie’s 6 now and Bert is 4 and no, they aren’t *actually* brothers. They are from 2 different breeders in Iowa!

#ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

Sending Bert Bert snuggles to anyone who needs em this week! 🤍

#bertoftheday

We got another Berner!!!

(Just for Halloween though 😉)

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

Why’d it have to be snakes?! 🐍

Ernie dressed up as Indiana Jones a couple years ago - that snake was just perfect!!

#ernieoftheday

Leaf cleanup brought to you by @tavour [ad]

Crisp fall days and leaves call for crispy beers on the deck when the hard work is done 🍻

#ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

⚠️ 🐝 😀

The cutest bee you ever did see!

Do you have your Halloween costume ready? 🎃

#bertoftheday

Admit it…were you scared for a minute? 👻

Ernie’s a happy haunt, that’s for sure!

#ernieoftheday

📍 Meyers Beach Trail - Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Cornucopia, WI)

Lake Superior’s south coast is the tippy top of Wisconsin! A scenic hike through the woods on the Meyers Beach Trail will bring you to stunning views of lakeside sea caves and natural arches.

The trail is about 4.5 miles out and back. The first ~2 miles are on a narrow but well-maintained boardwalk, then you emerge cliffside. You’ll see other hikers at this popular spot, and don’t forget to look down in the water for kayakers who leave from the nearby beach!

$5 for parking - cash or online payment. Lot fills quickly on nice days. Dogs must be leashed.

#ernieoftheday

We are getting close to peak color here in the Twin Cities! It’s finally feeling like sweater weather too ☺️

📍 Whitetail Woods Regional Park
We love the variety of trails at Whitetail Woods. There’s paved trail, boardwalk, dirt paths through the woods, and grassy trails that turn into ski and snowshoe paths in the winter. Something for everyone and as accessible as you want it to be! Stroller friendly too 🍼

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

Greetings from Saint Cloud! 🌟

NEW on the blog - we’re counting down 🔟 fun things to do with your dog in the Greater St. Cloud area! [hosted]

Head to bertandernietheberners .com or the 🔗 on our page to read all about:

4️⃣ places to take a walk 🦫 🌳 🪨
3️⃣ breweries to bring your pup 🍻
2️⃣ spots to dine with your dog 🍔 ☕️
1️⃣ pup-friendly treat to wrap the day 🍦

Have you been to @visitstcloud yet??

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday #visitstcloud #onlyinmn

Bert Bert has a joke for you!

What is it called when a tree takes some time off?

🤔

Paid leaf! 🍂

#bertoftheday

We found a park that has something for everyone!
📍 Lake George Park - St. Cloud, MN [hosted]

Right in the heart of the city, this park has walking trails around a pretty lake with paddle boats and kayaks available for rent. We liked relaxing on the big grassy lawns, and there’s a great playground for the littles. In the summer, catch a concert at the outdoor stage on Wednesdays or puddle-jump at the splash pad!

Dogs welcome on leash. Please pick up after your pal! 🐕‍🦺

#visitstcloud #onlyinmn #ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

Pumpkin patch pals 🎃
We made our fall stop at @mitzacreekfarm for pumpkins and mums today! One more weekend left to get autumn decorations there before they close for a few weeks to shift into winter mode 🌲

Time to get the front porch decorated for fall! 🍁

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

How lucky I am 💗
We spent today hiking along the South Shore of Lake Superior for my birthday! The leaves up north are always so pretty this time of year and the weather was lovely too.

Have a great weekend, friends!

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

If you see this, take a deep breath and a big slug of water!

Send to someone who needs a reminder 😉

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

📍 Quarry Park & Nature Preserve - Waite Park, MN

This dog friendly gem of a park is just a little over an hour from the Twin Cities! #hosted

Shaded trails loop around the remains of 20 quarries, a testament to history of Central Minnesota as a major granite producing area. People can swim in two of the quarries when the weather’s nice (swim at your own risk - no dog swimming permitted), hike or bike on the many trails, and cross country ski or snowshoe in the winter!

Be sure to check out the Liberty Derrick and the 11-foot-tall granite saw blade to learn a bit about the history of quarrying in the area. You might even see SCUBA divers or rock climbers exploring the park!

A few notes:
🎟️ $5 daily entry fee - buy your pass at the automated ticket machine
🐕‍🦺 Dogs must be leashed at all times and are not permitted in the State Natural Area that borders the park
🪨 Don’t climb on the rock piles

Add this park to your adventure list!

#visitstcloud #onlyinmn

Happy Gotcha Day to our Ernie! ❤️

6 years ago, Ernie’s breeder delivered him almost right to our doorstep! We met at a park nearby and now anytime we walk by that park, I say, “that’s where baby Ernie came home to us!” Then we took him to lunch at @redwagonpizza. He comes by his pizza obsession honestly - he got pizza crusts on day 1! 🍕

We love you, big guy ❤️

#ernieoftheday

Fall in Hayward is just 🤌🏼 💋

Sharing some throwback pics from end of September 2020 - Bert’s first fall! The colors peaked early in Wisconsin that year and we caught a gorgeous weekend up north. Swipe through to the end for slo-mo noodle puppy tail 😆

#bertoftheday #ernieoftheday

📍 St. Peter’s Dome & Morgan Falls - Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI (near Mellen, WI)

There are TWO fabulous trails to explore here! One will take you to a 70 foot waterfall on relatively flat gravel trails - would be stroller or wheelchair friendly. The other trail will take you up a steep and rugged climb to a lookout over the forest with views of Lake Superior in the distance. The waterfall hike is 1.2 miles round trip, and the overlook is a 3.6 mile round trip.

Something for everyone here! Leashed dogs welcome. Know that the St. Peter’s Dome trail get skinny and windy in spots, and there are many roots and trip hazards on the trail so watch your footing.

This spot is BEAUTIFUL in early October as the leaves change. Add it to your weekend lineup! ☑️

#ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

Plan now, enjoy in a couple of weeks! 🍁

Here are some spots we’d recommend for day trips or overnights in the next ~3 weeks while leaves peak. The North Shore is always beautiful but can get so crowded with leaf peepers, so check out these other suggestions!

DAY TRIPS
🍁 Lebanon Hills Regional Park - 20 mins from Mpls
🍁 Frontenac State Park - 1 hr 20 mins from Mpls
🍁 Banning State Park - 1 hr 30 mins from Mpls

OVERNIGHT STAYS
🍁 Bemidji area & Lake Bemidji State Park - 4 hrs from Mpls (video is from @kohlsresort last September!)
🍁 Bayfield, WI - 4 hrs from Mpls (hike at Frog Bay Tribal National Park)
🍁 Hayward, WI - 3 hrs from Mpls (hike the Birkie Trail or St. Peter’s Dome)
🍁 Pelican Rapids, MN & Maplewood State Park - 3 hrs from Mpls

Fall colors seem to be peaking a bit earlier than previous years in our area, so the next 3 weeks are the time to go!! 🚙

Baby Bert Bert coming in hot! 💥

Happy #tbt, pals!

9/15/18 was one of my happiest days - when we met our little Ernie for the first time!

We had recently lost our golden Ted and knew we wanted a Berner next. Amazingly, @bernese_of_twin_oaks_iowa had puppies ready to meet and come home just a couple of weeks later! We drove down to meet the pup pups and drove home full of excitement about the little guy who would be joining our family soon.

#ernieoftheday

It’s still a few weeks early for fall colors in most of MN, but the NORTHWEST corner will be turning soon!

The Hallock area is home to three gorgeous and uncrowded state parks.
• Lake Bronson State Park
• Old Mill State Park
• Hayes Lake State Park

We camped at Lake Bronson in 2022 and explored this area over a weekend. It’s a long drive (about 6 hours from Minneapolis!), but it is SO worth it!

🍁 🍂

#ernieoftheday #bertoftheday

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