Minnesota has 5 very distinct geographical regions and we have crossed 2 of them in the past 2 days. Another 200 miles each day with 600 total under our wheels.
We are loaded, lunches are packed. 
Saturday we left Hutchinson and traveled to Litchfield to DeAnn's Country Village Shop. We enjoyed the drive through the rural farming communities and were greeted with lovely small town charm.
This sign says it all.
This shop is full of gifts, home décor, charm and of course fabric and inspiring samples. We all loved the vintage painted tin ceilings and walls.
Just a little down the road was Paisley Threads and this was a treasure trove of embroidery and friendliness. With each new twist and turn there was a new delightful discovery. My mom's passion is handwork and she found some really lovely embroidery projects here. For me,
yarn! So many choices and beautiful samples. I could have lingered here and hugged all the cozy skeins for a long time but the next destination was calling our name.
There was of course fabric and patterns and cutsie things all of us quilters have to have as well.
Paynesville and the Sweetwater Cotton Shoppe were our next stop. There was a farmer's market and delicious smells in the air. My mom took advantage of the park bench outside while Alyssa and I finished exploring.
Look Suzie, there were buttons here! 
My mom found more handwork for the winter and there was just beautiful softness all around. 
The shop has a furry mascot as well.
We enjoyed a lovely car picnic on our way to Waite Park.
There were cherries for desert and we left the other food group, potato chips out of the picture. Gruber's was our next stop and a lovely lady I met at the Quilt Show in June greeted us and we of course had to purchase a raffle ticket.
These flags are very helpful as you are trying to find the quilt store.
The Noble Quilter in Elk River was our next destination. What a beautiful location they have right on the Elk River.
Inside my mom found handwork everywhere! I do mean everywhere. She is set for a long winter and Alyssa and I are looking forward to the finished works. We are on the hook for the finishing since most of the projects require a little piecing or quilting to complete the look. I also ran into a familiar face here.
The last destination for Day 2 of the JAM tour was Quilted Treasures in Rogers. Unfortunately, that photo has gone missing.
We ended the day by picking green beans for supper, my mom met my aunt and cousin at church while Alyssa practiced and I prepared supper. We had dinner for 5 and show and tell. Rita and Julie brought champagne and although they are not in the car with us, there prayers and spirit are with us as we travel. It is always nice when someone else appreciates your stories and your treasures.
Sunday, July 31 we were up and at it bright and early. Mom watered the garden, I watered the flowers, Alyssa rehearsed and we packed the cooler for 6 days on the road and then we sat and waited until it was time to go.
The lunch bag...the most important bag in the car.
The bear visited in the night. Can't have nothing nice :) My brother will have to straighten this out. Guess he thought my mom was cooking for him too.
Up the road is Rush City from my mom and the Cutting Edge Quilt Shop and we were greeted with such enthusiasm. They had a cooler outside with lemonade for the trip and the happy warmth inside started the day's journey off so nicely. 
Sunday's road trip was full of travel and beautiful views.
Our next destination was Quilterati in Cambridge and we were chit chatting along the way and missed our turn but our amazing driver Alyssa just said well that's stupid but we can fix it.
Quilterati had this beautiful mural on the building and if we are winking I had the habit of choosing the sunniest spots for selfies. They sent us on our way with a Rice Krispie treat.
Lunch today was sandwiches, carrot sticks & cucumbers with homemade vegetable dip (my favorite) cherries and there were cookies planned but no room left in the stomach. Wahkon was nearly an our drive and our landscape changed from the rural farms, to horses and trees and the lakes. Somewhere along this route it was determined that my mom was in charge of the future turn instructions. I was too inclined to point out this and that and after missing one turn we didn't want to miss another.
On our way to Wahkon we passed where we used to fish in Isle and the family stories started flowing and the laughter was abundant. This part of the trip went really fast and we were at the Country Caboose in Wahkon before we knew it. There were a couple of boys sitting out in chairs watching the world go by. It was so very heartwarming. The Country Caboose is filled with all things quilty and there was sooo much to see in a small space.
Quarry Quilts & Yarn were our next destination and along the way we passed Finlayson. Family friends purchased an apple orchard up there and we were looking for their turn off and nearby two of my steam engines are parked and ready for the White Pines Logging Show over Labor Day Weekend. This part of Minnesota is very familiar to me since it is a good stopping point for us on the way further up the north shore.
This was the last shop of our section and we enjoyed our time here.
The block builder library will be a favorite of ours.
Look at all that yarn! Now in case you are wondering, Pine Needles just really has everything I need except yarn so I am delighted to find a little wooly goodness along the way. My mom did find a few fabrics to complete a secret project. On our way out, they had coffee to go and it was a nice treat along with the chocolate we packed.
The last stop of the day for us was Cloquet. This is a beautiful lake area and a frequent lunch stop for us on our family travels further north. We usually stopped at the area parks for a picnic but my uncle always loved Gordy's High Hat even before it was made famous. The line to get in was stretched all the way around the deck. Good thing we had our lovely meal already packed.
The Quilted Dog is in a house along the roadside and there is a great photo opportunity on the deck as you enter.
The house was full of novelty fabrics and samples and we had a little more time to linger here as it was the last stop for the day.
The car is full of gas and we are relaxing at the hote.
Our gourmet menu for the evening and desert is homemade Buttermilk Streusel Bread.
We enjoyed this down in the lobby and the clouds that had been chasing us for the past hour finally caught up and we watched the rain come down with our treat and hot coffee. In case you are wondering if coffee keeps us up at night, bedtime was 8pm and the answer is no it does not keep us up at night.
Happy Hopping fellow Hoppers! Remember to stop in to Pine Needles Quilt & Sew where friendly faces abound. Joy
Joy what a special treat to have you tell us about your trip! Looking forward to the report everyday. It is so special,having three generations enjoying the experience. That makes it extra special for all of us! The homemade food sounds soooo good. Continue to,have a wonderful trip and be safe!
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Lori Schaffer
August 15, 2022
Loved your story, Joy! And it was great to see pictures of your mom and daughter, and hear about Rita and Julie. Wish I were there!! Hugs to all!