Dec. 4, ‘09-Tom and I ventured towards the St. Paul Conference and our first stop on the roadtrip was Rieck’s Park, just North of Alma, WI. At 7 AM there was a slight dusting of snow and chilly wind that prompted the waterfowl to sit quietly on the water. Tom eye-balled the assortment of ducks and geese through his handy dandy Leupold Binoculars. Rieck’s Park has been noted over the years as a place to stop and view the Tundra Swans during their Fall migration to Chesapeake Bay. This day there were 3 swans a swimming in amidst the ducks and geese. I asked Tom how the ducks manage to stay in one setting spot with the brisk wind, when they are sleeping. He told me that they probably paddle in their sleep. Is it true that they paddle while they slumber to stay in one spot? Are there swans in your region?

  Our car camp was loaded with luggage and some toys and clothes to share with relatives.  Road tripping wouldn’t be complete without a goofy story. The entire trip, a horse and cow could be heard neighing and mooing in the back seat of the van. Seems hitting all the bumps on the road set off the barnyard animals to vocalize their presence.  Niece Marcia and Nephew Al Stellphlug  graciously allowed us in their home even while our barnyard was being un-ruley.  They have been the driving force for us to branch out into the computer world and we would suggest them when you are ready for assistance in setting up a website and doing a newsletter!

Exciting to see a big beaver lodge in Rieck’s Park with a  feedbed.  Turn the car and head North on Hwy 35. Neigh, Neigh!!  Another bump and we erupt in giddy laughter for we’re road trippin’! Then I’m sucked in the sights and in the morning light-the Christmas lights and light snow falling appear magical.  I am drawn to staring @ the rocky topped bluffs. We see a few Hawks and Eagles thermaling in the winds. I notice a boat For  Sale and neat stacks of firewood.  A deflated Santa Claus balloon is melted like Frosty the Snowman did in the greenhouse.  How do you keep those blow up decorations inflated?? They seem to spend a lot of time feebly flopping in the slicing holiday breeze. The train rolls below us as we follow the snowplow ’til Nelson.  Have you ever indulged in ice cream or cheese curds @ the Nelson Cheese Factory?  It’s a delightful stop year round and they also have a deli, wine tasting area and a large seating area.  Beth’s Cafe was OPEN, but we had our sights on exploring new places. Nelson bottoms and backwaters had alot of muskrat sign. Anyone trap that area??  On the wide channel of the Mississippi River we spotted ducks and white seagulls. Tom mentioned to watch for the Golden Eagle on the bluffs now. The Nelson bluffs have goat prairie where there’s few trees towards the top of the bluff.  I’m immersed in the holly daze and the sight of a terra cotta pot plastered with pine boughs and red ribbon.My Christmas spirit is soaring!! Then the chicken toy starts crowing in the backseat and we’re howling with laughter.  I glance right in Nelson and spot Bob and Linda Baures Wine and Liquor Store. We take a left turn and  head south on Highway 25.  Three miles ’til Wabasha and we’re searching for the huge feed beds that the muskrats have in that region. Tom reminds me people can trap here with permits and during the appropriate season.

Crossing the stately Wabasha Bridge, I fix my eyes on Slippery’s Restaurant. We slip into the Grumpy Old Men Movie routine and thoughts of ice fishing and calling someone a shmuck  swirl through my mind.  Over the Wabasha Pond there were flocks of seagulls flying around in large circles. They weren’t swooping to catch bugs. Any idea what they were doing this time of year?? It was murky brown water and the edge of the pond had ice formed on it. In amidst the gulls were mallard ducks floating on the pond under the Weeping Willow Tree that was whispering winter in it’s swaying branches.   

Onward and along  Hwy 61 North,  filtered sun slung some light on the Mississippi River.   Red Wing, MN beckoned us for breakfast. I spotted Smokey Row Cafe and Jenny Lind Bakery @ 1926 Old West Main St.   Perfect for morning romance or it was very kid friendly if they’re along.  Purple walls and white wainscoating welcomed us to flop on the red sofas next to a Christmas tree and wait for our quiche and fruit plate. Trendy spot to get sweet treats and set a spell with kids or just the two of you!! Have you eaten there??

The ACRES USA annual conference was held this year in St Paul, MN @ the Crown Plaza Hotel.  The conference is a delightful blend of speakers presenting on topics regarding finding profit through bio-diversity in agriculture. I  attended an Eating What You Grow Workshop with featured speaker Mary-Howell Martins. Mary and her husband Klaas farm 1,300 acres organically in New York. They have an organic feed mill and she demonstrated her skills in grinding flour to make their daily bread. She had a fabulous powerpoint demonstrating grinding a variety of grains that they utilize in their daily cooking. Her focus was also on  superior nutritional quality found in the foods she prepares from their farm.  Her homemade recipes are featured on www.lakevieworganicgrain.com. I was very impressed with her ability to snag the audience and it was an energetic and inspiring presentation.

Tom and I slipped to the Kindness Cafe down in the basement @ 350St. Peter St.-inside the LOWRY. Cheerful and bold color and a soft kind attitude swallowed us up as we dined on Cobb Salads. Rave reviews,  reasonable prices and well worth the walk to find the friendly atmosphered  Kindness Cafe! Have you heard of this place and their mission?? 

Dirt-the movie was playing @ the ACRES Conference. We both loved it and were very moved with watching it.  It’s purpose was to raise awareness of our practices in agriculture, mining practices and development and how it affects dirt.  To learn more about ACRES or to order books, check out www.acresusa.com   

The conference has a  trade show and it was a great way to connect with some of OUR  proclaimed agriculture celebrities like Doc Paul Dettloff who works tirelessly with companies like Organic Valley and Lancaster Ag. It also was an awe inspiring experience to settle into chatting with Becky who works with Midwest Bio-Ag and Gary Zimmer himself! Now remember the Road Trip with Patzie, Tim and us  to Gary Zimmer story from last Fall?? Patzie will be so excited to hear we actually had Gary’s undivided attention! Gary is a speaker that is beyond explaining! The enthusiasm, excitement and passions are non-stop. Have you seen him speak??  Thanks for the chat Becky and Gary!!  Want to see what Midwest Bio-AG is about then check out www.midwesternbioag.com 

Tom and I attended Jerry Brunetti’s lecture. He spoke about the digestive system and he feels that all health starts in the stomach.   He referred to the gut as a second brain. He spoke of food affecting the way a person feels. He also explained the gut is the primary neurological organ and carries more nerves than elsewhere in the body.  Jerry’s website is www.agri-dynamics.com

I then went to see Gearld Fry speak on Food as Medicine and producing medicinal beef.  His website is www.bovineengineering.com .   He spoke of grass fed beef as having high Omega 3 fatty acids. Recommended having a high quality bull to improve cattle herd. His desire is to have cattle that have 4% butterfat. The sire passes along digestive capabilities.  He feels the quality of the animal is a maternal trait along with the conformation of the animal.

Were you @ the ACRES Conference and if so what did you think about it?

Thanks!

Sue Roskos