 |
| Mitchell testing the boot scraper--we used to have one of these on the farm growing up. I also remember my dad tossing his rubber boot covers on ours. |
We took a little weekend trip to southern Minnesota. Our first stop was the Shady Inn Drive Inn in Stordon, Minnesota. Outside it is a boot scraper, not for show. Inside it is the best broasted chicken, hamburgers, and milkshakes. They also have daily specials such meatloaf and other homemade farmhouse delights, including peach pie.
 |
| Gordie enjoying ice cream. |
Then, Isabella and I went to the
End-O-Line railroad Park and Museum. I had to do a little research for a book I'm working on. It's an informative and interesting place. Also, all the buildings are air conditioned, which allows for comfortable study of the texts and items in each of the buildings.
 |
| salvaged train cars |
 |
| this cracks me up--i guess i would have had to pick a different profession |
 |
| The lovely Isabella |
Then we went to
Slaughter Slough where a dozen settlers lost their lives when Dakota ambushed them on their way to New Ulm on August 20, 1862, after being told by a Dakota named Pawn that they had guaranteed safe passage if they promised to go back east, which they promised to do. Another dozen were taken hostage and were eventually rescued by a band of Lakota men known as the Fool Soldiers.
 |
| not sure what kind of a bird this is, but i liked how authoritative he seemed |
 |
| this is where the attack happened. the slough has been drained now, but it's easy to imagine the scene. |
 |
| Isabella is very interested in local history and Native American cultures, particularly the lives of women whose names are often lost to history |
 |
| thistles and some kind of wheat grass |
The place is beautiful, quiet but for insect sounds, and somber. Slaughter Slough is not overdeveloped, and, in my opinion, demonstrates the correct way to mark a place with a tragic history. There's a small informative kiosk right when you pull off the gravel road, and then there's the stone structure out in the slough, which you can reach after a 5-10 minute walk. But that's it. Once you get out there, it's you, nature, and your thoughts and feelings. The thing that I took away from my reflective time out there was how extraordinarily beautiful the landscape is. It's no wonder that so many people wanted to live there, and it's no wonder that the people who already lived there would fear encroachment.
 |
| the marker is made of three stones, which symbolize the German settlers, the Dakota, and the Lakota. You can read more about it here: The stone structure. |
 |
| Thoughtful girl. She's so smart. Isabella will be a sophomore next year, and I think she's looking toward studying history, particularly women's history when she goes to college. |
Both the End-O-Line Park Railroad and Slaughter Slough are very near Lake Shetek, where my father-in-law keeps his sailboat.
 |
| Nate, Gordie, Archie, and Steve, my father-in-law. |
 |
| me, with the sun, which I love |
 |
| cute Violette |
 |
| Phillip and Gordie |
 |
| Gordie crying because Nate is playing with Archie. |
 |
| Mitchell is growing right up. |
 |
| Isabella, relaxing. |
 |
| Gordie and Uncle Jon. |
 |
| Gordie's turn with Nate. |
 |
| Isabella, preparing for smores. |
 |
| Smores |
Then, we went to Westbrook Fun Days for the Kids Summer Olympics (entry fee $0!).
 |
| The Olympians: Violette, Nate, Gordie, Archie, Phillip |
And, later in the day, we watched the parade, and collected a vulgar amount of candy.
Neither Nate's nor my phone worked the entire time. No service, and I can't tell you how nice that was. We had a great time. I love the wide-open, green-meets-blue landscape, the friendly and generous people, and reasonable costs of small town, southern Minnesota.
