We started the week with a few more days in Cedar Falls, Iowa (my trip favorite so far). Lots of cycling, jogs around the lake (with Murphy knowing exactly where the swim stops were), fun dog parks, weather in the 80’s…. great stop!
Our next stop was Durand, Wisconsin, a small town only 70 miles SE of Minneapolis. Dave chose this location for two reasons, 1) It is near Rochester, MN where my aunt and cousins live and 2) it is on the Chippewa River State Trail, a rail trail to get some cycling miles in. The campground is in the city park and Dave scored the end spot so we had lots of room outside our front door. On our first night we went to a packed downtown concert in the park, with the White Sidewalls singing oldies music. Since Durand doesn’t have a dog park, Murphy made his own in the park we are camped during the early mornings before most anyone was awake.
Little did I know, Durand was near Ellsworth, WI, the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin and luckily, we were there when the Cheese Curd Festival was held. Dave and I went when it opened on a Friday afternoon. I had never eaten cheese curds before we visited Wisconsin during the Great Loop trip, and I loved them. We tried 3 flavors at the festival, Original, Nacho Supreme (a bit spicy) and Cinnamon Sugar. All quite yummy! As we were walking around the festival, there was a big map of the US that you could pin where you are from. I took my pin over to FL to put a pin in St. Petersburg, and what did I find? A pin already there! Too funny.
Saving the best for last, Dave, Murphy, and I drove over to Rochester, MN to visit my Aunt Loretta, Cousin Jennifer, her daughter Courtney and Courtney’s husband Richard. My mom and her siblings grew up in Pipestone, MN (near Sioux Falls, SD). I had not seen them since my grandmother passed away in 2006. 17 years! We had a delicious lunch and then Jennifer humored us and we drove over to the Ear of Corn water tower. Apparently, Libby use to have a large canning facility there. Who remembers the Libby jingle? We had a great visit and hopefully we can see them again while traveling in our RV.
Next, we head to northern Minnesota and visit a few of its 10,000 lakes (and, as I have been told, really 14 380 lakes). Wowzah!
Great to visit with family Brenda, Wisconsin = Dairy Cows Dave, and I love Wisconsin cheese Murphy.
Nice!
Ain’t it nicer up north ?
Glad to see Mr. Murphy is asserting his rights when it comes to doggy play areas 😉
And I can’t imagine why anybody from St. Pete, Florida would go north to Wisconsin in June, -Duhhh!
Sweltering, and dodging lightning bolts, -Wes
If it’s Libby’s Libby’s Libby’s on the label…
Friends from WI insist they technically have more lakes than MN 😊
Jealous of your temps… we are flirting with 110 in AZ 🌵
You two are d having too much fun
Wow !
What a wonderful experience ! First you retired, Ventured off for several months aboard the “SLO Pace”, and now traveling by RV to various parts unknown, visiting many points of interest, riding your bicycles and exercising with Murphy.
I love your website and your blog. Perfect for writing your book “SLO PACE” in the future.
Keep the communication going, we love following you on your travels
God Bless and be safe