Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Thursday, May 9, 2013

"Drives"


When our boys were small, overtired, slightly sick &/or cranky, we used to take them for "rides." It was a miracle cure. It had a calming, soothing effect that left them quickly asleep and ready to bring home and put to bed. All these years later it is still one of our favorite things. In any season we just head off for parts unknown. A new road, town, café, scenic vista and we now find ourselves to be calmer and refreshed. Oh and in spring, summer and fall we like to bring picnics along.

Some recent examples from last year -

We found the Houston, Minnesota Nature Center at the terminus of the Root River bike trail. It functions both as a nature center and as the trailhead facility for the Root River Trail in Houston. Here you can camp, take a shower, enjoy the hands-on nature displays, meet Alice the Great Horned Owl, walk through the prairie, take in a Saturday evening program during the summer, or enjoy recycled bike art
 

An old mill at Lake Mills, Iowa.
 

A view from the ridge at Balltown, Iowa looking east to the Mississippi and Wisconsin.
 
 
 

Cranberry farms in Wisconsin.
 

On a minimum maintenance road it's best to take the four wheel drive Chevy truck....
 
 

A round barn along the way
 

Of course, a day trip is never really complete without a picnic. Here we are with friends Rick & Loretta at Big Island State Park.
 

Then it's Minnesota :"Country Roads Take Me Home..."

 

24 comments:

  1. Some foods taste better on a picnic.Exploring new areas expanded to my hobby even after my kids left the nest.Waiting for a friend to call and going out in the wet to get some morels.

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  2. Always fun to take a day ride and stop for a picnic. Did you all take the wheel, or some of you got to nap in the back seat?

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  3. thanks for sharing your pretty views!

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  4. Thanks for taking us along on your drives. I can imagine how relaxing and enjoyable just from the pictures. And little local rides are something I enjoy myself.

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  5. This used to be something my folks and I did years ago. It all started with my Dads 1934 Chevy Coupe with the rumble seat. If my dog and I were really good, we got to ride in the rumble seat. What a joy that was!

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  6. I love little drives into the country. We're enjoying the prairie, wetlands, old mills, barns and silos in Eden Prairie and Chaska at the moment. No farm roads, though, in our rented car. Nice pictures, TB.

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  7. It's great to get out and see other parts of the country -- even if it's just a few miles away. Great photos Ray. xo

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  8. We used to jump on the 4-wheeler with son in tow in a front pack...as the ride would lull him to sleep...or was it the fumes? Sweet memories. Also loved your travels, especially those back roads requiring the truck.
    BlessYa

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  9. I can remember taking rides specifically to get a child to go to sleep. Now I'm the one who gets lulled.

    LOVE that last photo! That's the kind of roads I like.

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  10. That is one of my favorite things to do also. Back roads are such fun. Like the idea of packing a lunch.

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  11. The perfect antidote for many of life's problems. I wouldn't care if gas hit $10---I'd STILL go out for drives--just a little bit less!
    Gee-hope "big oil" didn't hear that-LOL!

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  12. Nice post. Love the round barn! We often take drives and take picnic lunches along.

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  13. One of my favorite things to do. Haven't had much time for it lately, but need to get back to it. Love that round barn.

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  14. Looks like fun to me. I love the picture of that old red round barn. I've never seen one before. :-)

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  15. It sounds like a good plan to me. Now the old folks go for a drive and they come home and go fast asleep!

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  16. This just made me happy, reading it.
    I feel the same - there's something calming & refreshing about taking an unknown quiet road.
    I have relatives in Lake Mills, I grew up visiting northern Iowa, as half of my mom's sibling lived in the area. I was there a couple of years ago, and was able to sneak in a morning trip to Pilot Knob, near Forest City.. it's lovely, if you find yourself in the area sometime.

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  17. Now I feel convicted 8{ My parents loved to do that, did it with us as kids, and then spent many retirement years doing just that. My dad is no longer able to drive and they have been housebound for the past year at least. We get them out for doctor appointments. I guess I need to schedule a spontaneous ride every now and then!! Thanks for the reminder!

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  18. I have many happy memories of Sunday afternoon drives with my family. I remember them being 'boring' at the time, but now I cherish the thought of them. When my son was little we used to go on country drives and when he complained how boring it was I told him it was tradition for parents to take their kids on boring drives! LOL!!! Now I grab my camera, me and hubby crab a Tim Horton's, we jump in the truck and away we go. LOVE IT!!
    xo Catherine

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  19. Hi tb..what a wonderful post. I enjoy taking drives with no where in particular to go. You guys have so much fun!!!

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  20. I hope you always take your camera along on those beautiful jaunts of the countryside. You probably have quite an archive of country roaming. Enjoyed all the photos. --- barbara

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  21. I enjoy trips out and about too..sometimes we take snacks! Chance loves going for a ride..and waits expectantly every night to see if we are going someplace.
    That old round barn is very interesting! You should be having some blooms soon! :)

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  22. I like your philosophy that all outings include a picnic. Even cheese and crackers (and a pint, of course) are a treat on some weather-worn roadside table.

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  23. This place is very pretty and most beautiful. everybody would want to be there.

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