After our weekend at Gull Lake we said our goodbye’s to Henry (the golden doodle) and our beautiful hostess M. Easing our way southeast to Minneapolis, I was excited to see my old hometown and anxious too. On our last trip 8 years ago, the road construction was terrible. On that particular trip, I waved goodbye to my old home town and said never again!

As we made our approach we were reminded of the beauty, this state has to offer. Gently rolling hills, all the trees, and the occasional crop duster! So unlike NE. As the traffic thickened and the GPS started talking to us more, I knew, Yup THIS is the last time. We made our way to the downtown Marriott and realized things hadn’t changed. Traffic is still a beast and the road construction does not quit. The air quality alerts were very high due to the Canadian fires.

I had made the mistake of not updating my GPS, and that found us in a world of hurt. I have never run into so many detours in my life. Exit off the interstate only to hit a detour where we needed to jump back on. When you have no sense of direction you can end up going in circles. I had to have both the GPS and the phone going, at the same time. Very frustrating. How would I rate the driving in MInneapolis? Worse then Dallas, worse then Denver, Nashville, Chicago worse then New York City. OMG. Someday in the next century, it might be easy but, for now bring your updated GPS and your patience.

Our first stop was Lake Nokomis. My grandparents built a house in the 1940’s, the street aptly named Shoreview DR. Lots of great memories in that house. We noticed a very large ramp encompassing the house and decided to take a drive down the alley. Mom always said, you can tell how people really live, by the alley. As we were cruising and being snoopy, the homeowner of the Shoreview house, came out to the back patio. Of course we couldn’t miss that opportunity. Getting out of the car we introduced ourselves, and shared stories. Are the pocket doors still there between the foyer and the living room? Why yes, yes they are. My grandparents sold the house in 1966 after my grandfather retired. She has owned the house for 40 years. Generous with her time, we left satisfied that the house was in good hands. A definite high.

Then it was over to the lake. A bit of walking on the banks, this is obviously a well loved place for exercising, as it’s a 2.5 mile jog around. The memories came flooding back with picnics, and Fourth of July fireworks, reflected on the water. A small lake by MN standards this one has a nice swimming beach, and small sail boats.

After fits and starts we headed over to Edina, where our old home was. My parents designed and contracted with the next door neighbor, to do the build. There has been one kitchen edition added to the house, improving upon that space. Though the bathroom had been updated, the footprint is still exactly the same. A large bathroom for 1956, it was cutting edge with a door off the main bedroom and the hall. Oddly the house still has no Primary Suite and the house just sold for 710,00.00. Quite a lot for a 1700 S/F house.

Following our nose, now that we were on familiar ground, we made our way to the “cousins” houses. And then the poking around began. We found an antique shop that mom had introduced us to, on our last trip. Loft Antiques was a great way to while away an hour. In an older part of MPLS , this beautifully appointed shop has imaginative vignettes.

Things I would have loved to have, things I had never seen, quirky things, and those things you can’t live without. This was where I dropped a bit of change. Wandering through the rooms I am comfortable and in my element. The blow fish was tempting, the miniature scrimshaw was super neat. So many lovely antiques but, I have an oil painting in my brain. What does it look like? I don’t have a clue.

When I first walked into this shop I discovered a small curio, more than a shadow box, it had been styled beautifully. My brain started popping and I had to have a picture.

Notice the zipper. The fossils, and shells, the old tattered book page with the letter. I don’t remember the price on this piece but, it would be such a fun craft project. Kind of magical. I would have never added the zipper but, what it does for the composition curled and partially open, it’s kind of a chef’s kiss.

As I made my way down stairs, it was clear these were the “lesser items”. A little more haphazard in the display. A rabbit warren of dark little rooms, but still fun. What was I looking for? Shoes, a brass German Shepherd dog, and Native American artifacts. These weren’t items I would ever collect but, things I need to complete some of my 10 tables, for Questers State Days in October. There will be more on that later.

Wandering through, I really wanted to find the dog but no, not meant to be. But then what’s this? Well I wasn’t expecting a pair of children’s moccasins, complete with beads. They will certainly work on one of the tables and they are just cute. Then a darling pair of Mary Jane leather children’s shoes, which I also need for a different table.

Another spin upstairs and I got that niggling again. Oh, there it is, the oil painting. The one I didn’t know I needed. If it was just a bit bigger. The frame wasn’t my style, although I could tell it was original to the art. I would never change it. Hmm could I get past the frame? Can I work with the size?

I was hoping to find a painting for upstairs where “Approaching Calcutta” resides. I love this painting but want to move it down stairs.

So I walked away with a picture of the picture in tow. Time to think!

The next day my sister wanted a day in her room. I pointed the car in the direction of Stillwater MN. An easy drive from Minneapolis, I didn’t run into any road construction or detours. The St Croix River was full of folk lore in my family. My dad always had such fond memories of a cabin he and his dad built when he was a kid. He loved that cabin and the river. Unfortunately the cabin is no longer there and the property is unaccessible. This charming border town has boomed in an old world way. Filled with old warehouses, you can tell they have been turned into expensive condos, with a view of the river. The river separates Minnesota from Wisconsin with a draw bridge connecting the two.

Stillwater is filled with boutique hotels, the Lowell Inn is old and popular. I great place to eat too. Shops, are plentiful, restaurants, and coffee houses. Of course there is some fun antiquing to be had as well.

Going down a couple of stairs and turning a corner I ran into this gorgeous Tall Chest “High Boy”. Bench made in Louisiana this piece was a looker. Beautifully hand carved, with wonderful attention to detail. Though not an antique it sure was a showstopper. Very Fancy!!!

Still looking for the darn brass German Shepherd, it was easy to get distracted.

With so many wonderful things to choose from, I could have filled my car. I don’t understand why anyone would buy new.

My trip back to the hotel was uneventful but I needed chocolate! I stopped into the small grocery store at the hotel. Grabbed a small bag of peanuts with M&M’s and a pack of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. No lunch, it was about 3:30 and I was meeting up with my sister for dinner at 5:30. I needed a snack!!! I took my two little parcels to the front desk and asked him how anyone manages to get around in this town. He just laughed and said “oh I know, it’s terrible.” That will be $11.56 please! I was tired, and happily took my $11.56 purchase up to my room and crashed.

The next days excursion was worth the entire trip. More on that later.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley