Romancing the Roads (6 page)

Obviously this bag day is not a daily happening. It is also obvious that this is a professionally run shop. I can attest to the fact that it is organized and clean. The staff is most friendly, and I look forward to visiting this treasure shop again . . . even if I have to detour a bit.

Woman’s Exchange

9214 Clayton Rd.

314-997-4411

www.stlouiswomansexchange.com

A nonprofit organization created in 1934, the Woman’s Exchange today has venues throughout the United States. The goal is to create a market for items made by talented craftspeople. Through the sale of these incredibly beautiful articles, the artists are able to help support themselves in a productive manner.

This beautiful St. Louis Woman’s Exchange not only includes exquisite items for sale but has a fantastic tearoom. I had the salad bowl, a lemon square for dessert, and coffee—absolutely delicious. Had “space” permitted, I would have tried the Exchange’s signature yellow cake smothered with coconut butter frosting. I was given a taste, and it was outrageous. Since the tearoom is a charity organization, there is no tax. All the personnel were so friendly.

FYI:
They also do carryout. It’s always good to know where you can get a takeaway meal that is not fast food.

About one hundred miles from Clayton I saw a sign for Nostalgiaville, USA.

Nostalgiaville, USA

Junction of I-70 and U.S. 54, Kingdom City

573-642-7955

www.nostalgiavilleusa.com

Wouldn’t you stop? Of course, and so did I. The business card reads:

Nostalgiaville USA is a collection of buildings that, from the outside, actually look like props from a movie set. The signs on the stores read “Goody’s Candy Store,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “G. C. Dunwoody,” and “Mercantile.” The ad says, “Largest Selection of 50s, 60s, 70s Collectibles & Memorabilia.”

Inside you will find Elvis videos, 1950s fashions, photos, and items pertaining to Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, the Three Stooges, James Dean,
The Dukes of Hazzard
, Barney Fife (of
The Andy Griffith Show
), Betty Boop, and on and on. Looking for saddle shoes? Here they are.

Driving Diva Factoid:
The
Truck Stops of America
are excellent places to stop. I feel safe, and they are generally friendly and clean. They usually carry state pins, which I collect, and miscellaneous car items of every variety can be found at these truck stops.

Iowa

I-80
West from Chicago was a little rough when I last I drove it—but perhaps by now the road has been repaired.

Davenport (Population Approximately 98,000)

Between the
state line and Des Moines, there are plenty of places to stop for the night, but I favored the Hampton Inn in the sizable city of Davenport. This particular one has moved, but another Hampton Inn is just a very short distance away.

Hampton Inn

5290 Utica Ridge Rd.

563-441-0001

www.hamptoninn.com

I was just there for one night, but as I initially drove about in the late afternoon, I discovered interesting places within walking distance. After checking in and finding my room, I went out to investigate. The people were friendly, and the area was clean and inviting. I did not feel like a stranger. I enjoyed walking around, peeking into shops, then getting a sandwich and taking it back to my room.

FYI:
The Mississippi (that big
M
really gets around!) traces Iowa’s east border, and Davenport is very close to the river. Riverboat gambling is just a mile away.

Walcott

Walcott boasts
the world’s largest truck stop.

Iowa 80

755 W. Iowa 80 Rd. (I-80, Exit 284)

563-284-6961

www.iowa80truckstop.com

Iowa 80 Truck Stop: Largest in America—this is a must-stop. Aside from big trucks, lots of cars and colorful signs, you are greeted by a sign reading “Chapel Dentist Massage.” What a combo! When I stopped, I was not in need of these services, but the concept of the trio prompted me to seek out the marketing director, who told me that the three “offerings” are often required by long-haul truckers. She also provided me with the following Iowa 80 fun facts:

In thirty-six years of being in business, 12.5 million eggs have been served, 1.5 million cups of coffee are served per year, and over 55 million customers have been served. It has been a while since I was here, and I am sure the stats have increased.

The store contains fifty thousand items, and the truck stop sees five thousand customers a day.

You’ll also find a three-hundred-seat restaurant with a fifty-foot-long salad bar as well as several fast-food options—and the list of amenities goes on.

From what I hear, you just might want to plan your trip around the
Walcott Truckers Jamboree
held in July. I guarantee your memories will be priceless. You will be able to see the Super Truck Beauty Contest, eat one-and-a-half-inch-thick Iowa pork chops, enjoy live music, view one hundred antique trucks. Who could ask for more?

West on I-80 there are plenty of places to stop for food, gas, and lodging, but
Williamsburg
and
Grinnell
probably have the most to offer, especially Williamsburg, which has a large outlet mall.

I definitely look forward to discovering more about Iowa and perhaps attending the Walcott Truckers Jamboree!

Minnesota

The big
state of Minnesota is known for its cold weather and such “creations” as eccentric former governor Jesse Ventura, the largest U.S. mall—Mall of America—its football team, the Mayo Clinic, and more. The natives’ speech has a very distinctive twang that is really quite enjoyable. No question, Minnesota is a beautiful place and a should-visit, particularly in the summer. Before my visit, I did not realize that the Mississippi River runs through Minnesota. I learned a lot about the Mississippi Valley and watched fascinated as the boats navigated the locks. The more I learn about Minnesota, the more I want to return—in the summer.

Wabasha (Population Approximately 3,000)

Wabasha is
straight up the Mississippi on U.S. 61 off I-95, past the town of Winona. I drove around Winona to find that it is a small, friendly place with a lot of interesting history.

Wabasha, the oldest city in Minnesota, was founded by a steamboat captain in 1851. Not that far from bustling Rochester, it is seventy miles southeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul. When I arrived in Wabasha, I felt like I had stumbled onto a movie set. The town is spotless. The countryside and the Mississippi River are beautiful. In Wabasha, with its relaxed, wonderful lifestyle, you feel as if you are actually stepping into a different era. It has a mix of interesting shops, and many of the original structures have been maintained or are being restored.

The river seems to be the center of activity, from fishing to bald eagle watching. The
Delta Queen
and other river cruise ships call at Wabasha. The movie
Grumpy Old Men
was written and set here in little Wabasha.

Note:
I include the following because it is a unique tidbit, a bit of local history, and unfortunately a sign of our times.

Anderson House

333 Main St.

651-565-2500

When I visited several years ago, my stay at this landmark was an experience and, in ways, a step back in time. This hotel opened in or around 1856, when small Wabasha was a bustling Mississippi River town. In 1909 the Anderson family bought the hotel, and it became the Anderson House. Aside from its hospitality, it was known for its authentic Grandma Anderson cooking and the “cat option.” If you wished, you could choose a resident cat from the cat suite as a companion during your stay. Anderson House was indeed unique. A few years ago, when I began this manuscript, I called to check if everything had stayed the same since my visit. “All is status quo,” said new owners Teresa and Mike Smith. Unfortunately, in 2009, due to the economy, Anderson House closed. Hopefully, a new owner will be found to carry on its traditions.

Restaurants

Eagles Nest Coffee House

330 Second St. W

651-565-2077

This lovely coffee house is a must-visit spot. When I called to see if it was still there, a nice gentleman answered. We chatted and had a delightful conversation, both bemoaning the Anderson House situation. When he learned of my book, he said, if I visit, perhaps Eagles Nest would do an author’s event. Oh, yes!

Slippery’s Tavern and Restaurant

10 Church St.

651-565-4748

This wonderful watering hole is the bar seen in the movie
Grumpy Old Men
and has been in existence since the 1970s. This was a fun spot. I don’t think there was a sad face in the joint.

FYI:
The movies
Grumpy Old Men
and
Grumpier Old Men
were written by Mark Steven Johnson about his father, a native of Wabasha.

Sightseeing

A walk
around town is very enjoyable. Just a stone’s throw from the Anderson House I discovered an
Antique Center
, Wabasha’s
Old Town Shops
,
and the
Old City Hall.

Old City Hall

257 Main St.

651-565-2585

There is a year-round indoor flea market with a farmer’s market, home-baked goodies, and possibly a treasure or two to find.

National Eagle Center

50 Pembroke Ave. S.

651-565-4989

www.nationaleasglecenter.org

Here you can see Harriett, Angel, and Columbia, three injured eagles that cannot be released back into the wild and have become stars. Some girls have real luck after adversity. The center teaches observation and conservation. The staff visits places with the three feathery girls, who are always main attractions at the center or on the road trips.

Wind, Whisper, West

128 Main St.

651-565-2002

www.windwhisperwest.com

This gallery, now dubbed “the Kimono Capital,” was not open when I was in Wabasha, but I think it bears mentioning. In this little town, you will find the world’s largest collection of Japanese wedding kimonos. No two are the same. Making these kimonos is a fading art. Kimonos can cost from $8,000 to $60,000. If a purchase is not on your agenda, know that a kimono can be rented for three hours for $2,000 to $8,000. Owner Richard Fuller, a retired marine, brought the collection here to his wife’s hometown. These beautiful garments (produced in the 1970s and 1980s) are on sale for a fraction of the original price.

LARK Toys

Lark Lane, 63604 170th Ave., Kellogg

507-767-3387

www.larktoys.com

To be accurate, LARK is in the tiny town of Kellogg, a very short drive from Wabasha. Take scenic Highway 61. Lark is right along the highway. Just turn off onto County Road 18 and make a left on Lark Lane. What fun it is to be in this big toy factory, regardless of your age. LARK Toys will do you good, and you will only smile and want to stay and stay and stay. The enterprise was started in 1983 by two talented teachers who in their spare time made toys and sold them at fairs. Taking friends’ advice, they started their toy factory, and the rest is history. In 2008 they decided to retire and sold the establishment, but all has remained the same. There is truly something for everyone, be it riding the carousel with its hand-carved animals, playing miniature golf, taking a rest at the
Café
, or indulging in some butter and cream fudge made in the
Fudge Tree
shop, or seeing and petting the miniature llamas—Francis, Eliot, and Irving. You will never see so many toys under one roof again. Trying to choose what to buy is a yeoman’s task, but what a fun challenge. It is a great place to do some Christmas shopping, whatever time of year it is.

Visit Wabasha; you will be charmed.

FYI:
Mall of Americas is just fifty-five miles from Wabasha. I have been told that it’s a shopping mecca.

Red Wing (Population Approximately 15,561)

Red Wing
is but a short distance north. I did not have time to visit, but next time.

Historic Red Wing Pottery

1920 Old West Main St.

651-388-3562

www.redwingpottery.com

This third-generation family business began over 140 years ago.

Red Wing Stoneware Company

4909 Moundview Dr.

651-388-4610 or 800-352-4877

www.redwingstoneware.com

This company has maintained its “American-made” status since 1860.

Austin (Population Approximately 25,000)

Everyone knows
SPAM, the king of curious and mysterious meats. Well, Austin has devoted an entire museum to it!

S
PAM Museum

1 Hormel Pl.

507-437-5100

www.spam.com

Austin is off of I-90 and intersects U.S. Hwy 218. Take Exit 178B for the museum, where you will learn more than you ever thought could be attributed to this unusual but always (for the most part) popular meat concoction. Forty-four thousand cans of SPAM come off the assembly line per hour, and it is cooked in the can! When founder George Hormel decided to retire and take his wife to California, he gave the business to his son Jay, who would become a most (understatement) creative entrepreneur in the world of meats. Aside from SPAM, there three thousand other Hormel products!

Note:
One cannot mention Minnesota without giving Garrison Keillor a mention. No one is quite like the man who talks about Lake Wobegon, created
A Prairie Home Companion
, and ad-libs to perfection. I smile just writing his name and reflect on how much I admire and enjoy his shows and music. I am glad to be driving when his program is on, and listening to it two days in a row is just fine.

Rumor has it that GK is retiring. Alas, but his CD’s will help.