on the Mississippi

Rory and I took the kid's to Marlene and Madison's early Friday morning so we could have a little get away. We went to Lake City on the Mississipi where we ate ice cream cones out on the pier. We were blissfully happy to discover this cute little water town just one hour from our house. The day was warm and windy and the sailboats clanked loudly, sort of like wind chimes. I love Lake City.

Then we drove to Wabasha and read our books under the bridge. I spent some time in a bookstore, at the eagle museum, and walking around the town while Rory happily kept reading. We had only been gone a few hours from our home, and we were so fully on vacation it amazed me. The whole day and a half we kept saying, "this is perfect. this is such a great trip."

Rory and I made a list of the things that have to be present for me to feel like I'm "on vacation." There must be a large body of water nearby. Lakes are great, but this trip the mighty Mississippi was perfect. We must get ice cream cones and eat them while walking near the water. And we must take a drive that is pretty enough that I roll down the window several times, with my camera flapping wildly in the wind, as I attempt to take pictures in front of the windshield. If those three things happen: water, ice cream and passenger pictures, I'm having a very good time.

We crossed the river and saw signs for Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthplace! The house is a replica, but this was the place where she was born. These were the Big Woods she wrote about. We were so excited!

Then we drove through Stockholm, the cutest little town of adorable shops. I cannot wait to get back there when the stores are open...

We had our anniversary dinner in Pepin at the Harbor View Cafe. It was awesome. I remember going there when I was little girl and being blown away by the lasagna. Two decades later, and the lasagna did not disappoint. It was amazing.

We stayed in Wabasha at the AmericInn and I got my fill of HGTV. It was glorious. We woke up and read some more, then reheated our leftovers for lunch. The day was rainy and slow and we drove back to pick up our teething daughter and active son.

Thank you so much Mimi and Papa for taking the kids! The 30 hours we were away were magical.