Walking From Minnesota to Wisconsin by Way of Venice

     

      As for trying to control chaos and clutter, I did more of the same this weekend. I  continue to do little bits, even if not as much as I'd like to get accomplished, day by day. DD2 brought home a mountain of laundry-she just was so busy she didn't have a chance, plus, they have to juggle access to the washer and dryer anyway. One of her roommates had a selfish neighbor take her clothes out of the washer  before the cycle had even stopped a few weeks into the semester! What was brought home in her two large Ikea bags appeared to be her laundry for weeks. She's always clean and neat, but will wear things multiple times before washing. As she has plenty of clothes hauling home the dirty ones will likely get her through to Thanksgiving break, with only needing to wash her undergarments (Though a load of that came home too.) I don't mind. If sending her back with restocked clothes helps her avoid a bit of stress, I'm happy to contribute. 

     Late Saturday morning we decided  it was too perfect a day, even if a bit chilly, to waste a day and headed to Stillwater. The city sits on the St Croix river and is one of the gateways between Minnesota to Wisconsin. The downtown is very quaint and loaded for weekend wanderers to pop into stores selling lots of Minnesota and town merchandise, ice cream and bakery goods. There's an indie book store and an old fashion candy store both selling candy of the past and  store made batches of turtles, fudge, and peanut brittle as well as other chocolates. We poked around the shops and had a delicious lunch as mentioned yesterday. About four years ago, a new bridge that connected a major highway between the states took the place of an old lift bridge. The lift bridge is now a walking/bike only bridge I think 1/4 of Minnesota and 1/4 of Wisconsin was on that bridge on Saturday. I was pleased I made the hike, even if my knee was throbbing and I needed a pretty good dose of Voltaren rubbed n later. DD2 went a bit further, to the first Wisconsin town over the bridge, but I stopped at the Welcome to Wisconsin sign.  

     After walking back, we just sat and chatted on a park bench overlooking the water. We saw a wedding party taking pictures,  people eating popcorn or ice cream, and a group with a picnic basket, but it looked like it contained painting supplies. A saxophone player, very good, busking right before the bridge. Something new to me, was the gondola rides! Two  boats steered by pole by young men wearing the classic Venetian stiped shirt, moved passengers along the shore under the bridge, a loop, and back again. It was a funny thing! Here's a smattering of pictures. I really like getting out and about, even if not too far from home.

Side streets closed for extra sitting, but most
people were walking on the sidewalks in and out of stores. 

Proof I walked to Wisconsin!

View from the Wisconsin side and a church 
steeple can just be made out, but the bridge is
around the bend  and low so out of view.

No, you are not in Venice!

The old lift bridge now ready for walkers and bikers.