Sometimes the fun in a destination is the journey to get there. I had a plan laid out to reach my final destination. I wanted to go to Mall of America before I moved from Wisconsin to Florida, since it is so close in distance. I knew once I moved, I would probably not venture back up into the Bloomington area, so better take a road trip this weekend. So, I went online to check out possible routes. Three main routes to get to Mall of America: MOA as the locals refer to it. One route was all highways (boring). One route was mostly highways (uh maybe not). One route up the middle paralleling the Mississippi River (and yes I just sang the M I double S I double S I double P I song in my head) was the third option. Sold!! Let’s do that. It will take about an hour longer, but again, the fun is in the journey.
I mapped out what was along the route. Some decisions needed to be made on whether to go through LaCrosse or Onalaska to cross over the Mississippi River into Minnesota. I chose Onalaska, so started researching things to do in this town of approximately 19,000 people. Sunny the Sunfish, a Lock and Dam, The Lost Island Winery, and a Great River Trail. Perfect. It is about half way between my start and finish line, so will be a great place to stretch my legs and explore the area. Plans already start to change about 45 minutes into my journey. I forgot about the Castle Rock near Volk Field. I must stop and explore. Change is good, because once I got to Onalaska, plans changed again when I realized the winery doesn’t open for a few more hours and the trail is more of a bike trail and not hiking trail. Hmmmm, what to do. Okay, let’s find a hiking trail nearby, and then come back to the winery. Saw on the Great Trail that there was a different Lock and Dam and possibly a beautiful hiking path in Trempealeau. It is about 20 minutes north of current location, but then I can drive back south to pick up Sunny the Sunfish and get back on the destination road.
As I drove, I noticed a brown sign, which is usually something historic or park like. It said something about a historic bridge area. I wasn’t able to read it so well, as the writing was small and I was driving about 45 m.p.h. (the speed limit). Oh well, I will try to slow down when I come back this way, if I do. Arriving in Trempealeau was exciting as there is a giant catfish to greet you into town. Of course, I had to stop and take a picture. It was a huge catfish (and it was wearing a mask…lolol). I arrived at Lock and Dam No. 6, which is located at Mile 714.1 on the Mississippi River. Now, this next part I am about to tell you, is absolutely why I love being a Solo Traveler. I spent the next two hours, yes two hours, watching the gate close, the lock fill up with water, the barge get pushed through, the back gate close, the water lower, then the front gate open and off the barge went. The whole cycle of passing one barge through the lock took about 45 minutes. I didn’t actually time it, but that is what it seemed like. I watched it twice because it is so fascinating. Ask my daughter!! She will tell you when she and I went to the Panama Canal, I just stood there in amazement watching the huge cargo ships pass through the canal. Luckily, there was an ice cream shop, so I could bribe her for a while, but the ice cream was finished and so was she. This time, it was just me, so I took the two hours to take it all in. Lock engineering is just so amazing.
Wow, now I was getting hungry so decided to find a local restaurant for a late lunch. I still have time for the winery. It closes at 10pm. Funny, as I don’t even like wine, but I like visiting places and partaking in the local flavors. Plus, Lost Island just sounds really cool. Finding a restaurant nearby that looked open didn’t happen, so I decided to head back to Onalaska. Maybe I will find a restaurant along the way, and maybe even a trail. Bingo!!!
Found the trail first, so food would have to wait. Luckily, I had a protein shake on the road, so can hold off hunger for a while longer. I did slow down for the brown sign which said McGilvray Historic Bridge Road. Nice, a historic bridge. Let’s go check it out. I had my eye out for this bridge or another sign for the bridge. The sign blended in with the landscaped, so sure enough, I passed it. Was that even it? I didn’t see any evidence of a bridge. I turned around, safely, and drove back. Doggone if I didn’t pass the sign again. Maybe that IS it and the bridge is hidden in the woods. Well, that is nice as I wanted a hike. What better hike than to a historic bridge? The parking lot is sort of hidden too, so be on the lookout if you are venturing out this way. Parked and read the information bulletin to find out that this historic bridge is not just one, but seven. The Seven Bridges Road, built in the 1800s, created a faster route between LaCrosse and Trempealeau Counties crossing over the Black River. This hike is a 1.8 mile trek that literally crosses over six bridges (as the seventh one no longer exists). Highly recommended as it is remote, quiet, and an easy path for walking (no steep grade on this trail). I found that I was mesmerized by all the wild flowers: so beautiful, if you are into flora.
Back at the car and now I am really hungry. Let’s head back to Onalaska to that winery. Maybe they have food too as the pictures looked like maybe it did. The route back naturally took me by Sunny, so had to stop there for a moment and “catch” a picture of him. This is also a beautiful view from the Wisconsin side looking onto the Minnesota side with the Mississippi River in between. Just made a quick stop here as my tumbly was grumbly (any Pooh fans?). And like a light in the middle of darkness, I turned around to see the Blue Moon restaurant looking back at me. Ahhhhhhh (in angelic voice)!!! Across the street I went and settled in for a salad, onion rings, and a lemonade. Yum!! That hit the spot.
I am good to go!! Let’s get to the winery, check it out, and then keep on trucking to Mall of America. Just to put into perspective time spent in this whole area, I started out at 7am from Madison, Wisconsin, drove two hours to Onalaska area, and now it is 5pm. That is how much I enjoyed those few things I did.
Well, The Lost Island Winery was a disappointment. I guess I was thinking a unique building with a beautiful garden, maybe an island theme. I didn’t even get out of my car. I drove by a set of 3 attached buildings with the winery in the middle. Concrete and brick, nothing special. Maybe the inside was island themed, but I couldn’t do it. I just drove by.
On to the Minnesota side. Wait, another lock. The one I originally had on my list. Gotta stop and check this one out to. Lock and Dam No. 7. First, you drive over the bridge where you can see the lock, and then you drive around to look up at the bridge. That is the view of No. 7. I didn’t spend two hours here, but did spend a moment taking in more of the engineering ingenuity. Marvelous!
On the road again, to quote the Willie Nelson song, which I do have on my Road Trip 1 CD (customized by me for me).
Going back up to the bridge and heading west with just a few feet before the official Minnesota welcome!! This hour longer drive is because I wanted to follow the Great River Road. While a nice road and easy to drive, I went slower so I could take in all the scenery. There were a few strategically placed overlooks, so I stopped here and there to take a few photos. Driving west at now 7pm also allows one to watch the sunset. Gorgeous!
Now, I am about 30 minutes away from my destination. I had no lodging plans, no reservations made for sleep. Figured I would get to Bloomington and go from there. Lo and behold, just a walk across the street, were many hotels to choose. Let’s go with Tru by Hilton since 1) I am a Hilton Honors member and 2) I have points saved up. Into the room at 9pm and into a deep sleep I go. That was Day 1.
Day 2 started off with a bit of laziness, with a bit of deciding whether to get up and do a long run or not. I soon talked myself out of a long run, and decided to just sleep in and enjoy some rest, then will walk over to the Mall of America. After all, that was really the whole point of this trip. Walked over to the Mall around noon (as it only opened at 11am, so didn’t miss much except for the crowds to spread out) and didn’t leave until closing (7pm). Yep, I spent seven hours inside of a shopping complex. If any of you know how big Mall of America is; you can totally see why seven hours is fairly reasonable. The intent was not even really to shop, as I am not a shopper, but I wanted to see how many steps I could get in by walking almost every square inch. Also, wanted to be able to say, “Yeah, I’ve been to Mall of America.” Garmin on wrist and off I went. I did purchase a few things here and there, not much, but boy did I get some steps in: about five miles worth!! Plenty to see like Legoland and the fantastic larger than life Lego statues; Kaleidoscope, a butterfly display by Christopher Lutter-Gardella; and practically every shop one could hope for. Lots of food court options to choose from along with a Rainforest Café and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. That is where I ended up, in Margaritaville, because I knew it was 5 o’clock somewhere.
After closing, walked back over to the hotel to do a bit of research for tomorrow’s adventure. As I walked into the lobby, I noticed the mural on the wall with Prince??? Is that Prince??? Then I vaguely remembered, oh my gosh, I think Prince is from this area. Sure enough, looked it up and Prince’s Paisley Park is just 30 minutes away. Well, guess what I am doing tomorrow? Looked up available tours, only one was at 4:30pm tomorrow (Sunday). Well, darn, I really wanted to be home by then, so maybe I will just go to Paisley Park earlier and see the outside. Oh, and I also found out that there is another mural of Prince nearby. I could see that as well on my way out. Cool. Day 3 is now planned.
Funny how plans never go as well, planned. I woke up, and after convincing myself that I was truly going to be in vacation mode and not run on this trip, I woke up feeling antsy to run. Okay, okay, I will go for a short run. My friend and I were supposed to run 20 miles this weekend to keep on track with our training. I wasn’t feeling the 20, but I will do three. I get dressed, and by the time I leave my room, I think, okay, I could do 5 miles. Exit out the front door and think, okay, okay, 6 (three out and three back). I start running and within a mile am bored on the sidewalks and roads because I am so use to running on trails. Maybe I will just run three.
Two miles in and I am not sure I can run another mile. Oh, wait, “How far away is that Prince mural”, I asked myself. I looked it up and it is about 10 miles away. Purpose!! A goal!! I will run there. So I ran 10 miles for a total of 13, yes just to see a Prince mural. The run quickly turned into an “art walk” as many murals decorated the streets. And yes, 13 miles for Prince because, well, it’s Prince after all. I had already planned to just run out there and take a RideShare back as I really didn’t want to run 20 miles. So, I did.
Back at room, quick shower, pack, and head out to Paisley Park. I go straight there so I can see the wonder of Prince and then head home. Plans changed again, when I thought, “Hmmmm, wonder if there happens to be an opening in a tour.” Maybe someone is a no-show. Looked it up, and YES, there is a tour spot in exactly 8 minutes. Quick, buy the ticket before someone else gets it. Done!
Now, what happens in Paisley Park, well, I might say stays in Paisley Park, only because I cannot explain my emotional journey, my emotional connection within Paisley Park. Truly, I am not sure what happened, but I felt so many emotions as I walked the halls of Paisley Park, the same hallways that Prince did. Stood in the same rooms as Prince stood. I was that tourist that the guide had to keep asking to move to the next room. I felt some connection, some bond of life within these walls. My experience cannot be put into words. I only have a few pictures, as in honoring Prince’s wishes of no photography while he lived; the staff continues this respect in his death. Only a few select areas were allowed to be photographed. Enjoy, as I encourage you to visit and create your own experience.
Go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want:
Alli L
For all the photos, go to @TheSoloTraveler50 on Facebook