YAY! Finally, we get to have another Family Vacation It's been 4 years since our last vacation together - it was 2018 - and so much has changed. We still found a vacation rental on Lake Pepin, the Mississippi River, but this year we found slim pickin's and went to the Wisconsin side of the river. As most of these rentals have been, it was a really old building (not a home) and classified as "rustic" and it was. But still comfortable and had everything we needed. Thank goodness the weather had cooled down here because while the bedrooms were air conditioned, the main living spaces were not!
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| Once a General Store, also a Hotel... Built 1880's |
Friday morning started off with a nice, late breakfast and good visiting time.
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| After-breakfast, the activities plannng committee. |
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| DS the Elder, enfolded by his children. |
Stockholm, Wi is an old river town that had been close to deserted but is being rejuvinated by an arts/food/tourist movement and was so tiny that it was easy to walk the whole length of the town and visit every little shop, museum, and gallery. Of course I loved the Scandihoo (Scandinavian) Shop and shot my wad of mad money there!
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| Just across the street..LOVED this shop! |
We also bought treats at the tiny bakery, pies for dinner's dessert at the pie shop and postcards at another shop. The town park is also a campground, shaded playground, and river beach. It was just about 4 blocks from our home base.
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| Almost everyone is playing on the playground! |
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Baby Girl on her scooter.
Her Mommy on one of the 'borrow and return' bikes! |
That afternoon we visited the local apple orchard and Cidery. It was maybe 3 miles out of town and well worth the trip for both adults (Cider tasting) and kids. Only a tire swing and a zip line, but what else could you possibly want??? We were all happy and content. Beautiful setting on a warm day. Top of a hill, Nice breeze and lovely shade trees!
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| Daddy and kids at the tire swing. |
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| E helping boys take off on the Zip line. |
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Middle Grandchild Zipping.
I think this is my best photo of the whole trip! |
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| Pushing the 'zipper' back up to the platform. |
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| Cider tasters... sans moi (taking photos as usual.) |
Dinner was prepared by me. All grilled or chilled.
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| Bourbon-Marinated Ham, cabbage slaw, grilled veggies, and bruschetta, just because I wanted it. |
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And here is the left-over Lemon - Ligonberry Pie that I bought home and froze.
It is really rich and delicious, so no wasting this sweet thing! |
Day two, Saturday, was overcast and promised storms so we packed up into cars and took off. We visited the village of Pepin and made a round of it's shops, just as we had done in Stockholm the day before. Cute but we did not think as nice as the others. Walked down to the Lake/Riverfront marina to a restaurant and had some lunch.
Then we loaded up again and went on to the Lark Toy Store and Museum in Kellogg, MN.
Loads of fun!
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| Eating Ice Cream waiting for a ride... |
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| Finally time for the carousel! |
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| Choosing ice cream... Baby Girl gets a boost from Middle Brother. |
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| Now, THAT's a Dragon! |
Next was a treat for the grown-ups. The Villa Bellezza Winery. Tasting, and photo ops...
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| Uncle says, "Wait a second, don't drink the water!" |
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| Doesn't everyone taste wine with a baby on their shoulders? |
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| After-the-rain, Puddle Dance! |
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| Well, there ARE different ways to walk around the fountain. |
And while that is all of the photos that I took, we finished that day with a taco buffet provided by DS the Younger, which was delicious. An evening of Pop Trivia was enjoyed by the grown-ups after the kids were in bed, and there might have been some wine drinking and snacking. Late to bed - again.
Sunday was take-off day, after a delicious breakfast also provided by DS the Younger. We were so happy that his GF and her daughter were able to join us. We all had fun together. The worst task for the entire vacation weekend is cleaning out the fridge and packing up the coolers. DS the Younger and friends had to leave first to collect her dogs from the kennel before it closed. Those of us who were Westbound left just after 12pm. DS the Elder and family stopped at the National Eagle Center on their way home, which we had visited in 2018, but the Littles had not seen it.
Everyone arrived home safely, albeit a bit worn-out. I'm speaking for myself and Grandpa here....
Next year we might try St Croix, MN?
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