Minnesnowta
It was a past due/over due trip. I have been hearing stories of this fabled family for my entire relationship with my boyfriend. I have been in speakerphone conversations with them. My excuses ran far short of their patience and invitations. Once the weather hit “steady” fifties and sixties in the daytime, we began packing for a whirlwind trip, nine and a half hours each way over a four day weekend.
Still settling in and LOVING the cabin in the woods, that recently gave way to warmth and green, it was hard for me to venture out to a place famous for its downright frigid climate. But when family calls…Would you be surprised by how much a Virgo could pack for many miles and a thirty degree temperature spread? Bathing suit, fleeces, large range of snacks, a few books, hiking boots, flip flops, more snacks, dog food, dog bed, dog accessories, dog, COVID preparedness bag, snacks, and then some.
I often begin long drives (and I’m the lucky passenger!) with a sense that the journeying may not be enjoyable, just the destination. I’m usually wrong about that. There is much of my new state that I had not seen and it was so pretty. I love that twisty two-lane roads, through the woods, with tractor trailers clipping along at 70 mph are called highways. Eventually the close shoulders of Missouri travel gave way to multiple lanes and the view was still scenic.
The first stop was the legendary Osceola Cheese Company. I hadn’t ever before seen so many varieties of cheese (they boast over 275 types); plus jerky, jams, sauces and kitsch. Cheese curds are the perfect road snack. We had a bag of the garlic and herb. In addition to their cheese shop, they have an adjoining gift shop (Ewe’s in the Country) that sells wine (nice business pairing). And all important for road trips, they had wonderfully clean bathrooms.
The next stop was in Jefferson City, Missouri, the state’s capital. We took a quick drive through the historic district and saw the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol Building. It had a small town feel for a city where so much happens. It inspired us to plan a visit back to spend more time in the area, in the future. Not far away, we found the great little Three Story Coffee Millbottom by the Missouri River. Two cups to go and we hit the road again.
I have nothing against Iowa at all. The few stops we made, the people were fine, but I was used to mountains and vistas, and we had hours of farm country. I was getting used to cattle farms and seeing animals, but the farms we saw from the highway were mostly crops. I appreciate those crops, that feed the cattle and feed us. Ironically, this is where the dog stood up and watched out the window for long stretches, whereas she usually slept for hours. We did see a pretty sunset over the farms. On the trip back home, one gas station had a cute handmade sign announcing worms for sale.
By early evening we arrived. Introductions were made and the brood of five children did the best they could of that initial quiet phase. I know from teaching students who are siblings, that personalities can vary within a family, but I didn’t know it carried out five decimal points. Three boys, followed by two little girls. You’re going to have to be the right guy to date one of the little ones in the future, who are quite capable of holding their own. A camper in the yard was a perfect guest room.
We had a great sampling of their life with soccer practice, trampoline time, a delicious barbecue, and a side trip to Wisconsin. The kids were happy to show us around the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota on the Mississippi River. We visited with two bald eagles, in close proximity, no glass. They were larger than I imagined, and seemed content to preen and impress visitors. The guides were kind, patient with little ones and protective of the birds.
After eagle time, we headed to the nearby Nelson Creamery in Nelson, Wisconsin for lunch. They had delicious ice cream, many cheeses and a vast wine collection from which I’d enjoy a nice Rioja later with rich cheeses. Don’t let small squabbling children fool you, even the two year old had a refined palate for which cheeses she preferenced. This clan was growing on me.
There was bonding over a wine laced game of Pictionary. Of course just as I was settling into being able to find my way around the kitchen and off peak hours for the bathroom, it was time to go. The ride back was a mix of calm and too quiet. I was happy for new friendships.
We lucked out on the ride home, as we often do, in finding a great sandwich place called Dagwood Jr. in Mexico, Missouri. It began with a Group-on search when we were hungry and we got a generous sampling of roast beef and a Reuben to go, after chatting with the sweet owner. The food was tasty, fresh, made to order, and large-portioned.
Late into the evening, tired and almost home, we stopped for gas. My boyfriend knocked on the window for me to quietly come outside. We were the only people there and as I listened, I tried to identify the sound in the dark night. Were the high pitched voices that of children laughing in a field? It seemed too late for little ones to be up. It was a pack of coyotes yipping. Welcome home.
