Weekend Retreat

Something new to do: stay in a bed-and-breakfast. We found one that sounded nice--a cabin setting. I've always liked rustic Americana.

And we had SUNSHINE! Glorious blue skies, vibrant colors of leaves. Not a sign of civilization, either on our side of the Mississippi, or on the Wisconsin side. And I was glad that I had read first, the Red River Girl book, as it gave lots of background for the settling of this area.
It was fun chatting with another couple as we waited for breakfast, which was a huge affair--fried potatoes, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, thick slices of decadent french toast. Good thing we were planning on doing a lot of hiking! (And we weren't hungry until mid-afternoon). Pike's Peak State park was a couple of miles away and the trails and lookouts over the Mississippi River were spectacular. Why haven't we taken the family here before?

(It's less than two hours away).

The morning was chilly; pleasant by noon. And the sunshine felt soooo good! We also visited Effigy Mounds National Monument. It has been 24 years since we last visited here--Ryan was a 1-year-old toddler. We saw a bald eagle flying over the water below us. We saw large V's of migrating birds.

But best of all, was just being with my sweetheart. It is hard to believe we've been married for 30 years--how time flies when you are having fun!