FROM MYSTIC RIVER, MN. TO WINONA, MN. VIA THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER (WISCONSIN SIDE). MONDAY, AUGUST 3,

Thunder and lightning kept us entertained for more than an hour after we’d gone to bed last night…. I mean, the clap came almost immediately after the flash…. And it was LOUD! The storm center must’ve passed right over us…
Very interesting, to say the least…
As we had planned, we left this morning for a quick sojourn into Wisconsin…
Took off from Mystic River and made our way across Hwy 21 and 185th Street to I-35, which we followed North up to I- 494, on the outskirts of St. Paul, and from there onto Hwy-10, which took us back down Hastings, and from there across the Mississippi River into Wisconsin.
Stopped in Prescott, at a Visitors Center, beautifully located high on the cliff above the river… Was told that the only way to see the scenic “West Coast” of Wisconsin, was to follow the Great River Road….. And that’s what we did.
Fabulous drive in the sunshine!
The road didn’t hug the river the whole stretch, but the vistas and the sights it took us to, as we ventured inland a few miles, was serene, and picturesque…
Loved the little towns along the way: Diamond Bluff, Hager City, Maiden Rock, and who could forget Stockholm? Had to stop there to check on the Scandinavian heritage, of course, but found there’s hardly a Swede left… They made up for that with a lot of Scandinavian souvenirs… Visited the cute, little Gelly’s Pub and Eatery before heading South once again…
More towns along the way: Pepin, Nelson, Alma, Buffalo City, Cochrane, and Fountain City.
We drove in to Merrick State Park, just outside Fountain City, thinking that we’d stop overnight there, but they wanted $29, which was a total rip-off, so we crossed the river, over to Winona, and we were back in Minnesota!
Found the Prairie Island RV Campground, right on the Mississippi River, where we only hooked up to water and electricity… Didn’t even unhook from the truck, because we’re on our way again in the morning.
Here’s the link to the pix:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Kjell.and.Luanne/FROMMYSTICRIVERMNTOWINONAMNVIATHEMISSISSIPPIRIVERWISCONSINSIDEMondayAugust3