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..."
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.
ReplyDeleteAlways 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?
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your pretty views!
ReplyDeleteThanks 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.
ReplyDeleteThis 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!
ReplyDeleteJo, Stella and Zkhat
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.
ReplyDeleteIt'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
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteBlessYa
I can remember taking rides specifically to get a child to go to sleep. Now I'm the one who gets lulled.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that last photo! That's the kind of roads I like.
That is one of my favorite things to do also. Back roads are such fun. Like the idea of packing a lunch.
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteGee-hope "big oil" didn't hear that-LOL!
Nice post. Love the round barn! We often take drives and take picnic lunches along.
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun to me. I love the picture of that old red round barn. I've never seen one before. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good plan to me. Now the old folks go for a drive and they come home and go fast asleep!
ReplyDeleteThis just made me happy, reading it.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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!
ReplyDeleteI 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!!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
Hi tb..what a wonderful post. I enjoy taking drives with no where in particular to go. You guys have so much fun!!!
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThat old round barn is very interesting! You should be having some blooms soon! :)
Beautiful places!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThis place is very pretty and most beautiful. everybody would want to be there.
ReplyDelete