Visiting Lanesboro

We're back! Before heading to hubby's half ironman this last weekend we decided to take a mini family vacation in Lanesboro, MN. Why there? Well we happened to come across a website where you could stay in an art loft that was above an art gallery... that sounded perfect to me. On our way there we started to get a little worried about if there was much else in the town... we didn't know anything about it! But everything worked out and it was a very fun and unique town. Here is a glimpse of our visit...

The door to our loft was PINK! ♥

The 3 large windows on the top, middle building look into our living area.

We loved the spaciousness and it was a great place for kids to run around.

Such a beautiful place to explore.

There were great paths to walk, run, or bike on.

So of course we had to rent a bike and let me tell you, they

had lots of options of different bikes to rent, although your

a little limited when you have little ones along.

Here's what we went with...

This bike was hilarious! Well, I thought so anyway.

David called it a death trap. Ha! It only had one gear. He thought

the lever next to the steering wheel was to change gears but it

was only the break. Ha! Although there are 4 sets of pedals on

the bike whoever sat on the front left ended up doing the most work.

And if you know my hubby you know he is obsessed with

biking and averages 20 miles in hour+ on rides so this was

about killing him. This is what he ended up doing

on the way back...

He ran and pushed us! No, I didn't feel bad at all for him.

Lets just call it training for his ironman! :)

I admit it was quite a nerdy beast but it sure made me laugh

and Kaelyn loved it too! She could steer all she wanted cuz the wheel

on the right didn't do anything! (perfect for entertaining a youngster!)

The paths went along a river that is popular for tubing... if K was

older we would have done it. Other things we rode past were bluffs, fields, lots

of trees where we even saw deer. It was pretty and peaceful! Well, other

then having to work hard to get anywhere! We did go down hills quite well!

After all the hard work, ice cream was a must. The bike rental and ice

cream shop were right across the street from our loft which was

so handy! (Actually everything was in walking distance so we never had to

start our vehicle!) We took the treats back to our place and relaxed.

K and me on one of the many bridges.

One of the cute shops had pottery painting. K was able

to pick out whatever she wanted including her colors.

Her turtle will be shipped to us after it is fired.

Looking forward to seeing it!

We decided to take an Amish tour and what an

eye opening experience it was! It was seriously like

going back in time 200 years.

When first looking at an Amish house from afar you probably

wouldn't think their lifestyle is much different than our own.

These places have no electricity, no running water, they plant all

their food that is supposed to last them year round, their mower

is powered by a horse, they do not have bikes,

there only means of transportation is by buggy pulled by a horse.

Their income comes from all their handmade goods... furniture,

rugs, jams, soaps, bakery items, soy candles, quilts, etc.

It is common to have 3 families living on a farm. The great-grandparents

have the smallest home, the grandparents get the middle sized and

the youngest couple gets the biggest home (to fill with little ones).

These people work harder then anyone I've seen... they don't

go out and have fun like we do. (can't imagine!) They aren't

wasteful, if something isn't an absolute need they don't have it...

they weren't even wearing shoes outside! Baling is done by hand!

Their hay stacks were so neat and uniform I wouldn't have guessed it!

Ok, I could go on and on but I've already written a book! :)

So if you're looking for a fun little getaway I highly recommend

Lanesboro. It is also the bed & breakfast capital so you have lots of

unique options to stay... just make sure to check if certain ages

are ok if you have kids. Some of the fancier Victorian homes are a

bit stricter about who can stay.