Affectionately called "The Redwing Trip" It's been happening every December for over 30 years...
A band of friends, (some family) that go way back, the original connection was church.
It's become a multi-generational trip for a few.
A look at the bus that carried us, there was plenty of room to have our own seats and have plenty of space for purchases as we traveled from town to town along the river.
From St. Charles, to Kellogg, then across the river to Wisconsins Nelson and Stockholm.
Last stop was Redwing for more shopping and dinner.
We played bingo, had a guessing game and sang Christmas carols on the bus.
It was a fun to pass the time between stops.
Lark toys in Kellogg is always a fun stop,
several rode the carousel
Rick and I chose to "ride the bench"
Next we stopped at the Nelson Cheese Factory
A very popular stop along the River.
Time for lunch....
Everyone buys something and then it's plated-up and served on the bus as we head to out next stop
This is Grace holding one of the platters filled with food. Grace and I are married to 2nd cousins.
The fruit and veggie tray
Stockholm Wi was by far my favorite stop.
A quaint little village in Pepin County that was founded by immigrants from Sweden who named it after their country's capital. Stockholm has shops galore and plenty of "Sweden" to go around.
Rick and I stopped to pose with this guy standing outside one of the shops.
Not sure if he's a Swedish Santa or a nome. I should have asked him.
These brown sugar cubes caught my attention
The guys chat while the girls shop.
Horses were carrying people up and down the streets, in a sleigh on wheels
Even Santa comes to Stockholm to shop
This lady was demonstrating Hardanger
After a few hours in Stockholm we loaded the bus and headed to Red Wing, our last destination and more shopping, but not before we had a little remembrance ceremony for a friend we lost two years ago to cancer. Sherry loved her friends and really enjoyed going on the "Red Wing" trip
Sherry's daughter Melissa was along on the trip.
Melissa is in the black coat, (blonde) 2nd from the right.
There were sweet memories spoken, we sang a Christmas song written by Sherry, and remembered our dear friend who is missed so much.
The wreath with Sherry's name was sent floating down the Mississippi
The day ended with dinner at Liberty's before heading back to Rochester.
Photo taken by our entertainment
Neal has a gift, such a blessing to have him play for our group!
Good friends and traditions are really a part of the Christmas season.
You visited a lot of my favorite river towns. What a fun trip. I love that you've done this for 30 years. What a blessing to celebrate with friends and remember those no longer with you.
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