You know you're in Minnesota

After a year of stealth photographs & reporting generalities overseas, it only seems fair to turn the camera around on the good old USA....


While I grew up moving around, every summer we religiously vacationed in Minnesota.  One of the northern most states, it's known for its 10,000+ lakes, abundant farms and down-home simplicity.  Ok, blah, blah, blah - what are the 'real obvious signs' that you are in Minnesota?




Lake Fun: Sand castles, paddling, tubing, water skiing and throwing clams - all scream Minnesota to me...

Dairy Queen: While technically neighboring Wisconsin takes the 'dairy state' title, I cannot go into a DQ without thinking fondly of Minnesota....

Crafty: Likely due to the C-O-L-D winters, Minnesota is the state where I suspect crafting began.  Knitting, quilting, scrapbooking, jamming - you name it - these ladies do it with skill.

Zoe enjoyed some beading at Mary's - a family friend & ex-school teacher who operates a beading extravaganza twice a week.




Delicious, farm-fresh (but not so weight conscious) food

Yes - that is pork chops on a stick!

And they really are fantastic!

Fishin' & Huntin':  In the bookstore today, we had to wait behind a guy showing the clerk pictures of the spotted walleye he caught yesterday.  But you can be certain you are in Minnesota when you pull into the gas station & see one of these....

Imagine - being able to buy your live bait 24 hours a day!




So here's to summer vacation and to Minnesota's fabulous & happily under-rated appeal