We arrived Wednesday at Myre-Big Island State Park near Albert Lea, Minnesota, a name that I have great difficulty remembering. Seems like it should be 'Big Myre Island' but maybe that's just me. We have very spacious campsites, there is a great shower house, and we have excellent internet reception. We even have more than one TV station.
There are two campgrounds--White Fox on the shore of Albert Lea Lake, and Big Island on--you guessed it--a big island, connected to the shore by a causeway. We are in White Fox and the whole area is restored prairie interspersed with heavy woods. The campground roads wind around so much that I got totally disoriented on an early morning walk and had to retrace my steps to get back to our campsite.
So after breakfast and some serious map study, we set out on our bikes and rode to Big Island. It was a beautiful morning and the campsites on the island are even more secluded than in White Fox. We even had a tailwind coming back, which was useful since it's mostly uphill.
After lunch and a much needed shower, we headed to Wells, where I lived in my early years. We first made a visit to my Aunt Lil, a most amazing woman who never loses her spirit. I reminded her once again that I am her favorite niece. Next, supper at Wildcat's, a bar and grill owned by my cousin Ben's son. Ben and Sally came in while we were there and it was great to see them. Finally to the Wells Library for a book signing. Another cousin, Harry, came over from Mankato, and a childhood friend, Donnette came by as well. Since it has been 62 years since I lived there, I have to face that most of the people I knew are gone. A stop at the Dairy Queen after gave us enough sustenance to make it back to the campground.
Several big changes in Wells since my last visit. The school I attended is a pile of rubble, being cleared away for other purposes. My grandfather Andy Jensen's blacksmith shop is gone. My grandmother Musser's house is for sale. I looked it up on the internet and it's listed as only three bedrooms and one and a half baths. When I was a kid, it was six bedrooms--some quite large-- and three full baths. How did that happen? I don't think I want to grow up.
This morning it is raining. A lot. We appear to have a moat around the camper. Hopefully the weather people will be right and it will be out of here by noon. We have things to do.
Several big changes in Wells since my last visit. The school I attended is a pile of rubble, being cleared away for other purposes. My grandfather Andy Jensen's blacksmith shop is gone. My grandmother Musser's house is for sale. I looked it up on the internet and it's listed as only three bedrooms and one and a half baths. When I was a kid, it was six bedrooms--some quite large-- and three full baths. How did that happen? I don't think I want to grow up.
This morning it is raining. A lot. We appear to have a moat around the camper. Hopefully the weather people will be right and it will be out of here by noon. We have things to do.
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