Friday

These are the pictures from our trip south on 35E on Friday. This is a midwestern "ski slope" not too far from Aaron's house. No it's not a joke. Well not to them anyway.



We went to Northfield, Minnesota and found the Malt O Meal factory, they did not offer factory tours, but the office ladies were extremely friendly and gave us samples from their cereal closet. It was so windy there, and actually I'd say most of the trip. Which makes sense because Aaron says it is always windy there, every season, all times of the day.



One of the many barns we passed. I really like being out in farm country, I think partially because it reminds me of visiting my grandma when I was young. But also I just like farms, I would love to spend a summer on a farm working, it's the kind of hard work that's so satisfying. And when you have a barn full of cows that need you to feed them, milk them, clean up after them, or a field that needs to be planted, harvested, plowed, there may not be a day off, no weekend. You live by the land, the weather and your animals. I'm fascinated by the simplicity (yet also the wealth of knowledge) of it and I have a lot of respect for all the hard work that goes into farming.


Next we stopped at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park to see Hidden Falls. I'm not sure what I was expecting, due to the lack of hills here, but I think Oregon has spoiled me. This was a pretty waterfall though and the hikes around it were nice.

Columbine near the falls





There were some other Midwesterners there, and one of them told me there was another small waterfall a little further up. I got excited and went up the path a bit to find this:

I mean I understand there aren't many waterfalls here, but I was a bit disappointed as this looks like a trickle we see on the side of the road to someplace much prettier. I kind of thought the same thing when we hit the bluffs on the drive home up the Mississippi, now don't get me wrong, it was pretty...but it honestly looked like so many places in Oregon. It was quite different than the areas around, so I can see what the allure is for someone that lives here.

A Jack in the Pulpit hiding along the trail


Some mushrooms


These cool green beetles were all over, the same as the one you found Megan.


Then we went to Cabela's, 150,000 square feet of raw testosterone like a beacon in the prairie. We felt a bit out of place here, but it was a sight to behold. The numbers of stuffed animals were impressive, 100 white tailed deer alone. They had several nature scenes and all the animals were labeled well. There was a giant mountain I can't believe I didn't really get a picture of. You can see it in the background below, behind the table of firearms.




I really do not think I will ever understand hunting for the sport of it. I mean they had these tiny cats from Africa, why on earth would anyone want to kill them? Anything for that matter? They had some really beautiful animals there, and I can't imagine having the drive to want to kill a polar bear for the "fun" of it. Polar bears are freaking huge by the way, I don't know how big I pictured them, but not as big as they really are.
If you ever needed a classy light for your lakeside cabin, Cabela's would be the place to go. I think this one was on sale for $800. For the price, really it's much more practical than a chandelier.


After Lynne's pre-wedding dinner we headed to the nearest Hy-Vee. I'm glad we found one, as I think it was a true midwest experience. Need a gallon of salad? They've got you covered.


Grilling tonight? Pick up a pre-made griller, they had 5 or 6 different kinds. I think they are really into "grilling" over there.


We didn't know Sauerkraut Days was going on in Ackley, Iowa or we absolutely would have been there. Ackley is the town my mom grew up in and I haven't been since I was 13. I still remember them bringing in a pickup truck and unloading garbage cans, yes garbage cans, full of sauerkraut and hot dogs. Oh man, and funnel cakes, I'm sure this was the first place I ever had one.