spring break.

 

...in a tundra! Q. and I decided to head up north for our "spring" break, because we figured Lake of the Woods would be pretty this time of the year. The website also made the area look pretty friendly to tourists. And of course, there would be trails to hike because northern MN is full of forests, right? Nuh-uh. We arrived and were greeted by ice fishers, ice houses, and just a whole lot of ice. As well as a very tiny casino and a small Laotion-American museum (who knew?). Also lots of trucks. LOTS. One with a sticker that read "while you're strokin' it, I'm rammin' it." Lovely. We just about made it into Canada, but didn't cross the border, unfortunately. 

So, we decided to hike it back home after spending the night in a cheap motel with few accommodations but a lot of red-neck men. We stopped on our way back at the Lake Itasca State Park, which my Momma-dearest has been talking about since I was a wee one. She's always lamented the fact that she never brought us kidders there to experience the place. So I'm glad Q. and I went! We crossed the headwaters of the Mississippi and both got wet, freezing feet. Luckily, we were also the only ones (pretty much) in the whole park thanks to the winter cold, so there were no lines to contend when crossing the rocks. The park was be-yoooo-tiful compared to the frozen, sparse landscape we were leaving. We ate our awesome sanny-lunch in the park and then hiked a long trail that left our shoes even wetter. 

Muito pretty. 

Trying to cross without water damage.

Only one wet foot! Success!

 

    

Once we got home, we played Settlers of Katan for FIVE AND A HALF HOURS. But it was totally worth it because I won the first three games by sliding in through the back door. Board games are fun, but are extra fun when you're winning. Especially when you can make everyone else think you're not winning... Alex was pretty upset.


So after 1000 miles of driving, 2000+ miles of flying, a sad Mr. B (maybe), and an over-heated Contour that is now kaput (thanks, Mom), my spring break is complete! NOW, back to meaningless homework. YAY.