Road Trip

The weather is rainy, cloudy and cool barely 50 degrees F or 10 C eh! It was a good day for a road trip.  We originally had a destination in mind, but decided to just meander on Highway 71 South.

We don’t see many of these Wind Turbines.   This one was someplace along Hwy 71 near Long Prairie.

The Clarissa/ Long Prairie area has Amish.  You can usually tell by the horse poop on the roadways.

We saw some baleage.  Hay that is baled at a higher moisture content and sealed in white plastic bags.

We ended up in Osakis…then over to Little Falls…visiting antique shops along the way.  Each one is interesting as are the proprietors..from a 1950’s wannabe to a little old lady with huge hair that was all her own…teased and I am certain hair sprayed to be stiff as a board.

Marbles have gone up in price.  The going price for marbles is 12 cents each.  It used to be a 10 cents. 

I only bought this small bag of marbles because of the shooter.  12 cents is a bargain for a shooter.

Three Polish ornaments and two Shiny Brites were purchased…40 cents each, a bargain I couldn’t pass up.

It was good to get away for a day.  We returned home just in time to warm up leftover lasagna for supper.  Cook once eat twice that is our menu plan this week.

Minnesota Amish

Amish from Pennsylvania came looking for farmland a few years back. Farmland was much cheaper in Minnesota than Pennsylvania.  They settled in Becker County in Evergreen and Spruce Grove Townships.  It seems they came one by one until there was a colony. 

One of the farmsteads they bought belonged to my maternal Grandparents.  For awhile they ran a bakery out of this farmstead, but the Minnesota Department of Health shut them down. It was rumored that they were still selling baked goods they just had to take their roadside sign down.

From the highway the old garage is unmistakable.

See the old garage behind me?

The Amish work hard and they have a wonderful land ethic.  Putting back more than they take out.  My Grandparents would be pleased with the way their land is being used. 

This is a neighbors field.

The Amish Semi used to haul benches was one wagon hitched to another.

 

There is another colony near Staples Minnesota.  I don’t know if they are related or not. 

I have photos of some of the children, they don’t like having their faces showing in photos so those will remain unpublished.

I would like to take more photos of them working in the fields with their horses.  Maybe I should put that on my photo bucket list.

There are some signs of furniture for sale and garden vegetables in the late summer.  We have never stopped..maybe someday we will.

Cold Storage

We took a drive through Amish Country.

This buggy was stopped at the side of the road right by my Grandparents old driveway.  Far Guy thought it was quite a load for one horse.  Two gentlemen were conversing.

I wondered what they were hauling?  I thought and thought.  I even wondered if this was the Undertaker. 

Later I found out from the magic box that it is an Amish Semi.  It is used to haul benches from one home to the next for their church services.

We were headed to a thrift/antique shop that was rumored to be open in the little town of Frazee Minnesota.  Sadly it was closed however it looks like an interesting place so we will return again someday.

Simple Ways

A long time ago when I was a child seeing a field like this was normal.  Now when I see one it is special.

Shocks of grain in a field near my maternal Grandparents old farm.

Everyone rests on Sunday, except of course the horse.  You have to stop and think that perhaps this mode of transportation has it’s merits..no gasoline is involved.  The only emissions are of the solid or liquid variety of fertilizer quality. Nothing is imported or refined.  No wars are fought over hay or oats.  There are no middle men or CEO’s that are going to profit and retire with millions here.

Sometimes a simpler life is appealing to me, I like horses and would love to go to town in a carriage..of course it would take all day..so I wouldn’t have time to cook, clean, bake bread or hand wash my laundry. Once I got to town I would just guard the carriage since I don’t like to shop.  

Have you ever seen  any Amish in the nursing home?  Do their people work so hard that they escape the “home”..or do they surround their elderly with love and care everyday until their last day on earth arrives? 

I would like to take bits and pieces of this lifestyle..the horses and carriages..the feeling of family that surrounds you unconditionally with love and support even when you get old. Do I want to hand wash clothing and wear dresses everyday..and a hat..and look down a lot..and never have an opinion of my own..probably not:) 

A Thousand Words : A Simple Ride

“The world does not need tourists who ride by in a bus clucking their tongues. The world as it is needs those who will love it enough to change it, with what they have, where they are.” ~   Robert Fulghum

Have a great Saturday everyone! :)