Andi is more of a history buff than I am, but I like to learn new stuff as much as the next guy - and if we get to go flyin', too - count me in!
It might be because it is 4 hrs away by car and kinda in the middle of nowhere, but in the 22 years we have lived in Minnesota, we have never visited our state's only National Monument,
Pipestone. (Update - we have second National Monument- way up by Canada, Grand Portage)
A little planning showed this is a perfect trip for the RV - airport right next to town, city car available to borrow, and great little cafe/bakery for lunch! The morning was a little gray, but the weather was getting better every hour. At 11:30 we headed to the airport and loaded up. It was a nice day over the lakes.....
Andi napped - my flying is that smooth.....
About an hour later, we saw the all the windmills just east of Pipestone.....
We landed, put the bird away, and stole the courtesy car from the airport. First stop -
Lange's Cafe for lunch. Great homemade food and very friendly people!
After lunch, we wandered out to the Monument just north of town. We were warmly greeted by Ranger Cody who gave us the lay of the land and started a great movie about Pipestone and the people who quarry the stone there. We toured the museum and learned about the red stone used to make make pipes and how it is extracted.
Other items made of pipestone.....
Hands on exhibits allow you to work this unique material - here Andi carves me a miniature RV-9A......
The soft stone was a recording media for people long ago. Many petroglyphs have been found on the site.....
The walking tour takes you outside to to see the quarries and rock formations....
and a pretty waterfall....
The blooming prairie rounded out a great visit.....
Jump in the car, stop to add a few gallons of gas, and back to the airport. Preflight, take off and we are back home in an hour - the only way to go!
Pipestone is not a flashy place, so the kids might not enjoy it, but it is interesting, beautiful, and filled with history. It is is also RV friendly with a great airport and an available car. If you are in the upper midwest, or on the way to Oshkosh, it is worth a trip.
Pipestone National Monument
. I know you are a smooth flyer but maybe that wing along with that exceptionally smooth 320 you have in there may have something to do with it too 
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