Red Wing Weekend

Luke and I just got back from a belated-anniversary trip to Red Wing, MN. It was a low-key weekend, which is nice.

We drove around the Historic Residential District and admired the amazing houses, some of which where very elaborate. We even stumbled upon a Frank Lloyd Wright home.

The Pottery Place is the old Red Wing Pottery factory turned into an antique and whimsical shop mall. The historical integrity of the building is preserved very well, and we checked out the ruins of a "drive-thru" kiln in the middle of the parking lot. We ambled around one floor of the three-story antique shop - which was enough antiquing for us! But we did come away with two books (antique) and a movie (not antique).

Across the road from the Pottery Place is a little cafe called Smokey Row Cafe and Jenny Lind Bakery. It's a little unassuming place in a lack-luster strip mall and we almost didn't go there. I'm sure glad we did. It was like walking into a 1950s cafe. The tables were either green, blue, yellow or pink Formica and had the classic silver band around the side. Local artwork was displayed on the walls. There was a rack full of fresh bakery goods made right there in the kitchen. The staff was very friendly, and the whole atmosphere made us feel right at home. Luke had a regular cup o' joe and I tried a Sweet Jenny - espresso with honey and cardamom....yummy!

Continuing with food, the next time you're in Red Wing, make sure you eat at Liberty's. We had breakfast there and it was great. Make sure you order something with pancakes. I had the Mini Liberty breakfast and Luke had the regular Liberty. We each had a choice of toast or pancakes. I had toast (marble rye) and Luke got the pancakes. My toast was good, especially with jam, but when Luke gave me a bite of the pancakes I regretted choosing the toast. The best pancakes I have tasted in a long time.

Later that same day we went to Liberty's for supper. I had the cod fish sandwich. Perfection. Oh, try dipping the potato wedges in the house dressing - a surprising taste combination that will make you want more.

What trip to Red Wing would be complete without a hike around Barn Bluff? Luke has been into rock climbing for years and I decided to give it a try. There are many climbing routes on the north side of the bluff in a wide range of difficulty levels. My first attempt was on a relatively easy route. Let's just say I got started. I still have some things to work through....

I think my favorite trail on Barn Bluff is the North Trail. Being on the, well, north side of the bluff it is in shade most of the time and is therefore a haven for shade plants and wildflowers. The steep hills were blanketed in ferns, moss, meadow rue, bug-bane, violets, bloodroot, wild ginger, columbine and I don't know what else. In the past I have always come to Barn Bluff in the fall to enjoy the autumn colors; this was my first trip in the spring and I must say the lush greenery is just as lovely. Just watch out for the poison ivy at the beginning of the South Trail.

sometimes you just need a llama

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinky?"

"I think so, Brain, but how are we going to find ten llamas on such short notice?"