Into Minnesota and the Big River

We moved this morning from West Des Moines, Iowa to a small town call Wabasha, Minnesota.  It is located on the Mississippi River about 65 miles south east of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Why here?  We wanted to see the Mississippi in this area, going to the St. Croix Scenic River which runs all the way to Thunder Bay in Wisconsin and also see the Great River Scenic Highway (runs along Mississippi).

Crossed over the Des Moines River in - Des Moines! 

New interchanges going in 

I do like Barilla pasta

The ride was a tidge boring, again.  We stayed about 1100 feet in elevation until the last 5 miles when we dropped down into the Mississippi River delta area.  The town of Wabasha is the oldest city in Minnesota.  Named after a Sioux chief, the town has been continually inhabited since Zebulon Pike came through in 1805 when he was commissioned by Jefferson to find trade routes going west.

Very large farms and ranches

Lots of dust everywhere when there is a secondary road near by

Big wind farms

Hello, Minnesota

Back to our ride - we traveled east on I 80 until we got into Des Moines and picked up I 35 heading north.  Crossed into Minnesota and then picked up I 90 eastbound, past the exit for Rochester (Mayo Clinic is there) and then took state routes north and east until we came to this small town.

Albert Lea Lake is really big

We think they got lost - white pelicans

Was surprised at the construction going on - seems new interchanges are under construction around Des Moines.  Many new buildings and businesses.  In Rochester there are 2 interchanges going in right off of I 90.  And once we got on 90, the traffic became very light.  Very little trucks.  Pretty much had the road to our selves.  Lots of wind farms - one in particular went on as far as we could see, just into the state of Minnesota.

Dropped down into the Delta

We have now gone into our 9th state, 2044 miles later and only been on the road 36 days.  Wow.

Not a bad drive, only 276.  Short in comparison to our last couple of trips.  Buddy and Pache are doing great - gave Buddy less than 1/2 the dosage and we will try on the next drive to not give him anything.  Pache takes care of him during the trip.  He gives him kisses (licks) and talks to him but for the most part spends his time right behind the driver's seat - just staring at me.  If he tries to get closer, I tell him NO and he squints his eyes as if I was going to spray him (we use a water bottle to spray both of them when they get acting up).  Was fun to watch him - he was looking for those sky raisins - flies - that we brought from Iowa.  2 buzzed us the whole trip.  Now he and Buddy can snack on those sky raisins - if they can catch them!

Peak - a boo!  Pache is watching me!

Tucked away here for a week - will see - hopefully some pretty sights along the Mississippi.