Today we were able to spend quality time with our nephew, Brett Louis, wife, Molly
and
With Molly’s mother watching the four older children, Brett and Molly (and Sophia) became excellent tour guides as we visited Stillwater Minnesota, the Birthplace of Minnesota.
Located on the St. Croix River just north of where it flows into the Mississippi and to the east of the Twin Cities, Stillwater is a small and scenic community catering to the tourists and the first bridge spans the St. Croix to Wisconsin north of I-94.
Aside from the classic riverboats which offer a variety of cruises,
Including a gondola for the romantics
The town boasts some interesting architecture,
A steep set of steps leading to a park on a hill which the locals apparently race up and down for exercise (sort of an outdoor stair-stepper),
Some clever signs,
Some building wall murals,
And an exceptional wine bar.
We finished a great day with dinner along the St. Croix River, where we watched the stern-wheeler Andiamo leave for an evening cruise up-river
And where a small, very animated insect seemed to hover just behind Brett.