Hi All –

Sorry for the quiet spell there…we have had 4-5 days of dreary weather – ranging from cold, wet, drizzly to stormy and windy with just a few breaks in between. AND – I’ve caught a doozie of a cold, the details of which I’m sure you have no interest in!  I’m hoping today will be the day that brings a shift from the yuckiness both inside and out! But, our little raindrop pays no mind to such things and just keeps flowing along. There are still interesting people to meet and even in this weather this part of the river and the land that surrounds it is gorgeous. I’ve been exploring the area between Hastings, MN and LaCrescent, MN, hopping back and forth between Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The river flows through a dramatic valley with huge bluffs on either shore and the towns nearly all have well-preserved, historic districts on the riverfront, like this one in Hastings.