Winter Returns :(

Guess they take corn seriously in Minnesota
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Leaving Illinois into Wisconsin, although starting sunny, the skies clouded over and the rain returned(Just showers though). Wisconsin marked w/ fields along the highway is, as we all know, known for it's cheese. But, did you know about the indoor water parks? Seemed to be many along the way. Going between Wisconsin into Minnesota you cross the mighty Mississippi River(go ahead spell it with me: Miss-iss-ippi). There is a lock system here (you know, for all those cruise ships that traverse through there). The area is also well known for bald eagles. We were lucky enough to spot a huge immature one flying over, but not lucky enough to get the camera up quick enough for a photo :(  We observed many hawks along the roadside. We weren't entirely sure the species of hawk, but boy are they beautiful.

Traveling through Wisonsin, funny billboards along the way
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After 6 hrs. of driving we pulled into Rochester, Minn. We visited w/ our friends JoEllen and Tim Gardner and their 3 children, Mattie,Jack and Hannah. Unfortunately, Bear and Scooby couldn't have a play date w/ their dog Saber as Saber is a way over the top in the rambunctious for our old timers. We had a great meal at Dave's Ribs and a wonderful visit in their home just down the street from the Mayo Clinic.

Downtown Rochester is a far cry from rural Vt. and NH, evidently, this past winter was nasty: cold and windy! We got to experience a small taste of this as a on Monday AM we awoke to 32 degrees, windy YUK!  But where else can you find a water tower shaped like a corn cob?