Frank-ly Minneapolis

Since 2005 I have had an article that I clipped from the Post Travel section tucked into a "someday" folder. It was all about driving through Wisconsin along the Mississippi through the bluffs. The high point of the trip (literally) was a visit to Buena Vista park in Alma, Wisconsin. That's where this photo was taken, our light lunch spot as we wended our way from La Crosse to Minneapolis yesterday.

Here's a little video that shows the panorama. It's breathtaking looking across the wide expanse of river over to Minnesota. What you can't hear on the video is the sound of a freight train chugging through. Although it's just a short walk from the parking lot, it's a surprise when the dappled walkway opens up and you find yourself on the edge of the bluff looking out on all this.

And by the way, could the day be any more perfect? Completely clear, high 70s. The best.

Our day was also vastly improved by our encounter with Elmer, kingpin of a little town we stopped in before Alma. (He's also the one who told us how to find Buena Vista.) Elmer performed the greatest feat of the day -- clearing most of the insects and road debris that had been collecting on the windshield since we last saw a drop of rain (Mackinac Island). Bravo Elmer!

By the way, Elmer owns quite the car sales business (Elmer's Cars) next to the gas station. Turns out he's quite a racer -- was picked up doing 124 which, he says, was him slowing down from 170! I hope it wasn't along Wisconsin 35, the two-lane road that we were on!

After lolling along the river we realized we'd better hustle if we were ever going to make it to Minneapolis. It was really tough to tear ourselves away from the beauty and relaxed rhythm of driving along the river. (By the way, we started our day by crossing into Minnesota and driving along that side for a bit. Seemed I just couldn't get enough of being close to the Mississippi.)

Soon enough, St. Paul loomed ahead. Unaccustomed as we were by now to urban areas, we managed to navigate the myriad interstates (and tons of road construction once again) and find our hotel by the university. (According to Frank, there are two seasons in this part of the world -- winter and road construction. Maybe that explains why everything is torn up on the roads!)

Our tour guide, chauffeur, and all around pleasurable companion Frank showed up moments later and we were off for our tour and dinner. Frank took us to Stillwater, to a fabulous restaurant on the St. Croix river -- the Dock Cafe. Monica had her second dish of walleye (local fish), we sampled Wisconsin cheese (finally), and I enjoyed the best ruby red (grapefruit) cosmo. I was celebrating not being the driver for once.

After dinner Frank took us through Minneapolis. There's nothing like touring a city with a realtor. He knew all sorts of wonderful spots to show us, took us through charming neighborhoods that opened onto the lakes around town, and zipped us through downtown so I could see the skyways. and the Mary Tyler Moore statue (have to do some hokey tourist things once in a while). For the finale, we drove past the Mall of America. My life is complete.

Today is changeover day. Shortly I'll take Monica to the airport, meet Frank for breakfast, and pick up Debra. It's bittersweet for me. Monica has been a delight, gamely navigating, figuring out how to pack the passenger capsule and the back seat with military precision, snapping photos and videos while I zoomed along, and good-naturedly meeting old friends of mine. To any of you who have been receiving texts from me while I'm driving along, it's because Monica has been manning two phones, three cameras, and the iPad. Traveling with Monica means you'll pay special attention to the flora and fauna, whether it's her enthusiasm for the miles and miles of perfect wild "Christmas trees" that line the road in Michigan or her awe for the oversized petunias spilling out of a perfect hanging basket. She's been game for anything, unfailingly positive ... everything you could want in a travel companion. This was a first for us -- we've never traveled so long and far together. I've enjoyed having the opportunity to renew and deepen our friendship.