Big Ole stands 28 feet tall on the north end of Alexandria, MN near a trail head for the Central Lakes State Trail, a Minnesota scenic recreational rail trail, where we biked this past weekend. Big Ole’s shield states “Alexandria – Birthplace of America”. Having grown up in Minnesota, with a strong Norwegian heritage, I have not heard, and was surprised, to learn about a Rune Stone that was found near Kensington, Minnesota in 1898. Some authorities believe the Vikings etched runes (characters of ancient alphabets) into the stone and the stone is dated 1362. The Rune Stone is in a museum in Alexandria – there is some controversy over its authenticity but it is an interesting story.
Tag: Travel
Tenting
On our recent trip to Canada we camped one night in a city park on our way home to Minnesota. We enjoyed a campfire then crawled into our sleeping bags about 10ish, but since it was the 4th of July weekend fireworks sounded late into the night and we didn’t fall asleep right away. So when we woke up in the morning we were surprised to see a tent in the site next to us. The owner must have pulled in late and set up the little tent. When I came back from the bathroom a tall, young man crawled out of the tent. We nodded at each other and I wondered if he’s traveling with anyone. As I was getting breakfast ready another young man crawled out of this tent. I thought that’s nice, he is traveling with someone but I thought the tent must have been cozy. Then to my surprise a third man crawled out of this two man tent and I started to giggle. They rolled up their sleeping bags, lifted the little tent right off the ground, took apart the two poles, folded the tent and put it all into the trunk of their car without saying a word, then drove off. It was comical to think we used our big family tent for the two of us and they had a small two person tent for three of them! What a fun way to start the day.
Walking in Old Quebec
I love to walk and it’s a good thing because it was our primary mode of transportation in Old Quebec. We parked our car when we arrived on Thursday and picked it up again Monday when we drove north out of town to Fjord-du-Saguenay.
We met up with friends from New Hampshire in Old Quebec and trekked all over. Quebec City was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain and is one of the oldest cities in North America. Old Quebec is a historic neighborhood in Quebec City.
It’s a charming place: once a gated city with walls surrounding it except along the river where cliffs were the protection in days gone by. It has a very European flavor and is predominantly French speaking. Just being infused with the aura of Old Quebec was intoxicating.
Our B&B was lovely place and the location great. The proprietor was a petite woman with a wonderful accent who wore beautiful dresses. The breakfasts were European: meats and cheeses, breads & croissants, jelly, fruit, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs (with slightly soft yolks) and some cereal available for those who really wanted it. Breakfasts with our friends were leisurely, filled with lively conversation.
Daily we walked down narrow cobblestone streets, taking in all the beautiful sights…colorful window boxes and creative doors, boutiques and bistros, fountains and street musicians and art galleries, indoor and out. We found our way to the Chateau Frontenac along the St. Lawrence Seaway. 
We ate our lunches and dinners in charming places: sidewalk cafes and indoor restaurants, with a jazz band accompanying us. One day we had a picnic on Ile d’Orleans with fresh picked strawberries sold at the farm stand along the road, wine and local cheese from a small market and fresh baked baguettes from a small boulange (bakery).
Another day we hiked all around the Plains of Abraham (battlefield turned into beautiful park) and down many steps to walk along the river back to our B&B Later that evening we walked on the wall, around Old Quebec, as a challenge and to see all aspects of this town (and back up many steps). All in all we calculated our mileage was about ten miles that day (with help of a fit-bit and markings on the maps).
Our final walk out of the city gate on Monday morning, to our parked car, was energized by feelings of gratitude for the opportunity to visit this enchanting old city.
Maps…Don’t leave home without them
We arrived home safely from our two-week road trip through Canada. We had a wonderful time and great road conditions and we took many “blue roads” as a friend calls them…not major highways but back roads.
Our first stop on the way (seems a long time ago now) was at a friend’s house in Elkhart Indiana…we knew the way…we put her address in our GPS an off we went. The next stop was at a cousin’s in Pennsylvania and again, we punched their address in our GPS and ended up on their doorstep. It was after that when I became lost. We didn’t bring a road atlas, or any maps, because now we had GPS. I soon discovered I’m lost without maps. I need to see the big picture, the back roads, and the alternative routes. I need to see where we are going and where we came from and the whole big state or Province. We began stopping to pick up maps along the way at the visitors center (you can also buy them in the gas stations but the same map is free just down the road!) I was much more relaxed having that big awkward paper in my hand, folding it every which way, to get my bearings.
I have added maps to our perpetual packing list.
Road Trips
We are getting into our packed Subaru early Sunday morning and heading to Indiana. That will be our first stop on a two week, 3,000 mile road trip to Quebec, Canada. I love road trips. Or at least I used to. We went on many long road trips when our boys were young, to national parks to camp and hike. We have many wonderful memories of those vacations. It’s been awhile since I’ve been on a road trip however and times have changed…we didn’t have GPS systems, cell phones or even email, and certainly not Facebook and we didn’t listen to books on tape (nor were there movie screens built into our van!) Now we have all of these, and more, available to us and it will be interesting to see how it changes our road trips. Of course we won’t have the boys with us. HA!
I anticipate my favorite part, the early mornings; getting coffee to go and driving along the empty roads in the early morning light as dawn breaks. We will have a picnic lunch at some wayside rest along the way and stop driving for the day in late afternoon. We will stay with friends and family on our way to Quebec and on the way home we loaded our tent underneath the luggage and hope to find some nice campgrounds.
I love to travel by road, air or train. Anticipation is a big part of traveling. It’s so fun to think about the destination and possibilities, and then actually see new places, meet new people and learn about other cultures.
Normally I try to leave technology behind on vacations, which is getting harder to do, but I may post a few times while we are traveling since we do have the technology.
Until next time a few travel quotes:
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller.” Unknown
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” Henry Miller
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” Anita Desai
“When was the last time you did something for the first time?” Unknown
Surprises
It really is fun to be surprised, when you truly are surprised.
A week ago my son and his wife invited us to a picnic in a wonderful neighborhood park in the cities. They suggested we go for a walk before we eat and so we did. I mentioned to my husband on the way up that I love the charming houses in this neighborhood so it was fun to stroll along the tree shaded sidewalks to get a closer look. Right on cue (little did I know) I said, “I love these charming houses, wouldn’t it be fun tour the inside of them?” and they said, “Yes, let’s go in this one.”
I was confused but then realized the house was theirs! They had bought the house and had already moved in three days before. It truly was a surprise. We were all excited and it was great to go inside this lovely house.
My older son surprised me one other time…on a special birthday a few years ago. He invited me to go to London with him on a mother/son trip. I loved the idea and we made plans. After flying first class, we arrived in London and taxied to the hotel. Later we learned the tube was so much easier and cheaper! We took a train out of London the first day to spend time walking around Oxford, because my son studied there for one semester back in college. The next day we were going to stay in London and I was in for a surprise. We ate breakfast at the hotel. I had a traditional English breakfast and my son had a bowl of muesli. When he went up for a second bowl I just got another cup of coffee while he ate. Then he went up for a third bowl but I didn’t think anything of it…just that he was hungry and we were not in any hurry. And then my younger son walks up to our table! Surprise! I could hardly believe my eyes. I cried. My older son had arranged for his younger brother to join us from Africa. He flew him from Mozambique to England to surprise me! They did!!! What a wonderful gift…to be together in a cosmopolitan city with my two sons. I have no words to describe the feelings of excitement, pride and love I felt. And my husband had graciously kept the secret and helped the guys with their plan. It was the best birthday ever.