This morning felt like an easy travel day. Only 3 shops on our agenda and 267 miles to travel. There is plenty of time in our day to linger and look. We had time this morning for the usual practice, blog and crosswords before hitting the road. The air up here is crisp and cool this morning and only 50 degrees. A perfect way to start the day.
Our first destination this morning is Front Porch Quilts in Walker. Our morning drive was a little over 2 hours and for the most part we were the only ones on the road. 
We enjoyed the changing scenery as we traveled east on Hwy 2. Front Porch Quilts is nestled a little into a hill and her front porch is decorated up with quilty goodness.
Before we headed out of town we stopped for a Cappucino at the local gas station. It was a nice little treat to enjoy on our way to Pequot Lakes.
We all wondered what kind of shop Mother Original Quilt Shop might be or how it perhaps came to be named. We forgot to ask but the shop is big and airy and right of the main road. There was lots to see and I really enjoyed the displays set up on vintage treadle sewing machines through out the shop. 
Paul Bunyan and Babe were available for tourist pictures and we took advantage of the opportunity. 
The props were created by a niece for the local theater and were no longer needed and found a home inside the quilt shop. Since it is a perfect weather day in every way we asked for directions to a nearby park and were not disappointed in our lunch destination.
We enjoyed our lunch today at the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce Park.
The bike trail runs along here and there were beautiful flower gardens, picnic tables in the shade, bathrooms, cute bike racks and plenty of parking for the bikers. The theme of bobbers was evident everywhere here from the water tower, to the flower pots and the bike racks. 
We enjoyed our lunch of crackers, sausage, cheese, cucumbers and cookies while we tuned in to the Marcia & Kendra show today. 
A side note about the cooler. It is my mom's favorite picnic car cooler and it has traveled back and forth across the United States multiple times and is decades old. We had to do a little zipper repair this morning before we left and this is likely it's last tour of duty. It has served our family well.
Unfortunately, we had to hit the road before the end of the show and our cell service cut out before the end of the show but as always the opening jokes had me chuckling.
It was another hours drive to Wadena to Hometown Crafts & Fabric. This lovely shop is located in an old Ben Franklin building and I am so thankful they left the vintage sign out to be enjoyed. Yarn greeted me when I came came in and fun fall decorations. 
My mom found such an extensive stamped embroidery section it was hard for her to limit herself.
Of course, there is fabric and patterns and more but most importantly, cheerful staff. We visited with a cheerful face at the counter and she and her daughter have traveled the state as well. She agreed to take our picture before we left.
No sections were finished on todays travels and we were to the hotel fairly early. Mom and Alyssa enjoyed a nice long nap to recharge their creative energies. Although the red of Pizza Hut was calling like a siren across the parking lot, the packed dinner of hot dogs, chips and cauliflower was on the menu for the evening. After dinner we enjoyed a cup of coffee and Buttermilk Bread down in the lobby area. The lobby at AmericInns are really comfortable to sit and visit and round out the evening.
(not sure this picture is allowed )
Secret projects are in the works for family gifts but what I can say is that the panels were laid out on the beds and fabric calculations were made and a shopping list compiled.
1533 miles traveled and 30 shops visited. Today we only have 3 shops on our list but we will complete 2 more sections on our grand adventure.
Thanks for joining us on our JAM tour and we will check in tomorrow morning.
Happy Hopping! Joy
You are covering many of the shops I used to frequent when I lived in that area so they are good memories for me, Thanks for sharing your trip.
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Linda Pommeranz
August 04, 2022
EnJOY following your blog! My hubby and I have been to several of the shops you have visited. Safe travels!