Minneapolis MN, Thursday 14 May 2015

The Schoolhouse day is full on. First, I grabbed by Schoolhouse program showing multiple choices for each 30 or 15 minutes slot from 10 to 6. I spent a few minutes circling what I thought I'd enjoy, then I headed to the 8 am class I'd signed up for. What a disappointment! The presenter had spent no time researching the industry, but started on a meander through numerous anecdotes about what she'd observed in her  travels as a consultant. It was so superficial and basic that it was quite insulting. Oh well.

The opening session of Schoolhouse was fabulous. Karey Bresenhan was fun, interesting and filled the room with good energy. It's hard to believe she's been doing this for 35 years. The people from Like Sew gave the same presentation and had prepared some professional videos about the Cloud - too funny. Their business is to help shop owners with websites and point of sale software.

Then it was on to the classes. As you can tell I took few photos. I listened and enjoyed the information and the ideas.

At the end of the day it was time for a quick site down with a drink.

I got chatting to some lovely ladies, and I also observed the growing crowds for Sample Spree. These people are lining up more than 2 hours ahead of opening.

It's a locust swarm type of event, but well worth it I'm told. Maybe next time.

Minneapolis MN, Wednesday 13 May 2015

I signed up for a tour of some local quilt shops, and I made sure I was at the Convention Centre early - as in a whole 45 minutes before the bus was due to start - but the organiser and plenty of others were there also - sensibly sitting inside having a coffee - so I joined them. Ignore the apostrophe! The sentiment set the tone - it was fun!

We had a lively local who told corny jokes and kept the energy high. We had way too much time at each stop...but I think this was the maiden voyage of this tour, so they will fine tune it for next time. Quilted Treasures was some distance out of town, in a large new building. This is the kind of shop I'd seen so often in Quilt Sampler magazine - and now I was here! The different styles of fabric were grouped, almost everything had a sample, and the staff were super friendly. I got quite chatty with the staff by the end - I went to the checkout three times as I kept finding little things to buy. The owner came on board to thank us at the end - so sweet!

Eagle Creek was the next stop - a shop in an old railway building. The owner jumped aboard and welcomed us warmly - so lovely! This shop had a more prim/traditional feel so it wasn't really my kind of thing, but I did find some crushed walnut shells for pincushions - have wanted to get some for ages - I wonder if the packet will make it through customs...

We had some time at Global Market - nothing too exciting here, except for some mosaic figures -

 and a chocolate pavlova from Salty Tart.

Last shop was Glad Creations. Again, the owner was so welcoming and warm. This is a tiny, packed shop on two levels. I found a few little things to purchase.

It was great to have a day with other quilters, and to get to know a little bit more about Market. After the bus tour I got my badge and the hefty directory of exhibitors, and knew to come back early tomorrow for the schoolhouse program.

Minneapolis MN, Tuesday 12 May 2015

My mission today was to end up in Minneapolis.  All of a sudden, I was in Minnesota, with the sign to prove it (as seen from the Welcome Center car park)

They even speak Aussie!

As I drove along I spotted another item on my mental 'list' - a barn quilt!

Another must-do today was posting a box home. The post office lady was so lovely and helpful - now I'm lighter both in luggage and wallet. Next stop Minneapolis.

In the last 9 days I've not needed a gps or a map, but today I really should have had one. Gridlock didn't make it any easier. But I finally found the airport and dropped my car off. That was a sad moment. I loved my Altima! The return process was so incredibly easy - the barcodes on the car were swiped and the machine spat out a final receipt.

I'll be at the Hampton Inn and Suites for 6 nights. It's a new property (opened in April this year) and I'm in a room that has a kitchenette, sitting area, work space and huge dressing and bathroom area. I just wish the fad for towel folding would go away - it's kind of annoying to have to do reverse origami before you can use it. I know - first world problem.

Mt Rushmore SD, Monday 11 May 2015

I'm on the move! Today started out all sunny and blue skies. There was plenty of snow around, but the locals are so used to clearing snow away that the roads were fabulous. I was quite cautious at first, not knowing if I'd come across some black ice. Over the course of the day I saw two trucks and a motor home that had veered off the road and were lying on their sides; salutory reminders of how quickly things can go wrong.

I do love a red barn.

My drive took me across the border into South Dakota and via some scenic driving through Custer, and then it was super easy to find the road to Mt Rushmore.
As I was driving, I didn't see anything on the approach. I paid my money, parked my car and followed the crowds, then all of a sudden

Wow.
There was still plenty of snow left from the blizzard the day before. In fact, the site was closed on Sunday, so it was lucky that I stayed put for the day.
Care to take a seat?

 

A bit of fun!

The town of Keystone is pretty close so I stopped there for lunch. I finally tried Indian fry bread - it was the base for a taco - plus some hard lemonade. I've read there is hard iced tea around - must try that if I can.

As I was driving towards Sioux Falls for the night, I kept seeing large billboards advertising Wall Drug. The signs were a bit like the Burma Shave billboards, and the place seemed to have everything. So of course I took a detour.

Wall Drug started out as a regular drug store in the 1930s in the small town of Wall in the Badlands of South Dakota. It's now more like a collection of small shops or 'departments' under the one roof. According to Wikipedia it takes in $10 million a year and attracts 2 million tourists. You can sit down next to some classic characters such Annie Oakley and this old timer

 Don't forget to look up!

I also found out what happens when the snow melts - there were rivulets everywhere and the constant drip of water from the roof.
Dinner was at a Perkins restaurant, including a fresh strawberry French silk pie.

Still Sundance WY, Sunday 10 May 2015

I booked in for another night here. I am erring on the side of caution. Plus, it looks like there's a lot of snow at Mt Rushmore, which is where I'm headed.

After 24 hours inside, I drove to town to the Longhorn Saloon Grill. I enjoyed the bourbon wings and the Longhorn Combo (Cowboy Chips, onion rings, texas toothpicks, mozzarella sticks and fries). My cocktail was -

About 6pm a weak sun's rays filtered through the clouds and the icicles are thawing. No snow is predicted for the next few days.

Devils Tower and Sundance WY, Saturday 9 May 2015

On a recommendation from the waitress last night I headed for Devils Tower National Monument this morning. This place is famous for two main reasons - it is the first national monument in the US (thanks to Teddy Roosevelt in 1906), plus it featured in the movie - Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind. The place is quite special for Native Americans as well. I'd love to show you a photo I took, but the visibility was minimal and it was snowing. Bummer.

Getting was a test of nerves. Every mile or so I recalculated distances, the state of the weather and the road and where I could likely stay if the weather closed in.

The interstate speed limit was 80 (80!), but after trying this out, I thought 60-70 was probably safer, given the buffeting winds, the slick surface and the driving snow.

I ended up at the Best Western, Sundance WY, the place 'where the kid got his name'.

The snowstorm warning was enough to make me stay put for a while. My footsteps from the car to the hotel entrance.

After I checked in, the snow had built up quite a lot.

Cody WY to Buffalo WY, Friday 8 May 2015

I made my own waffles at breakfast - you dispense the batter, pour it into the electric waffle iron, close the top, rotate it, then open it when the timer dings. Another new skill to add to my cv!
Western style furniture in the breakfast room

Greybull wasn't far away, so that was my first stop. I wanted to check out the Big Horn Quilts store. I remember when online ordering was relatively new, this was one of the stores I purchased from. The sign is still there

as is the carved set out the front (for husbands?)

But the store was closed. The online business is apparently still going, but the bricks and mortar shop closed in September last year.
Tree gratings are always interesting.

I need to get my collection of pictures together and see if I can turn the patterns into 'something'.
My route from here was along a scenic byway. It was fabulous mountain driving, with amazing geology. There were plenty of pullouts so I could take pics.

Dinner was at the Bozeman Trail Steak House. I ordered the Bison Sirloin - so tick! I also had a peanut butter pie. This sign was quite fun.