Faribault Woolen Mill

August 26-27, 2019

Sakatah Lake State Park, Waterville, Minnesota

Day 73-74

Overcast, but due to rain later. We finally leave around 10:30 am. There's no scenic route to our next stop, so we went via the interstate. It wasn’t miserable, but I didn't like it. Will look into dmv.org from now on for scenic byways routes.

Truth be told, I took this route so I could stop into Faribault Woolens!!! I was searching for 100% wool blankets months before this trip and found them. Great heritage company. Worth a trip to the store, and yes, I did buy some blankets. They even do tours; I didn't go on a full tour, but they let me (and Sparky) into the factory to see part of the original mill. Wonderful story and staff. They only use American wool, and all their products are made at this factory. That can't be said by other brands like Pendelton. I hope you go to their website and see the video story. We need to keep companies like this alive. https://www.faribaultmill.com/pages/our-story

Now its pouring rain. We drove into downtown Faribault which is cute. Not much is going on as many stores are closed on Mondays. Outside of town, I stop to pick up some groceries at Aldi – odd name for a store - part of Trader Joe’s. It’s cold and impersonal, filled mainly with private label items. It’s a no thrills store with just the basics, and you bag your own. Pretty much like the now defunct Fresh & Easy chain. All the vegetables are in a package. It feels a little surreal. All that's missing is elevator music. I feel like Mary Tyler Moore in the supermarket clip. I buy as little as I can and leave. Fortunately, right down the road is my camp. Finally figured out how to say the same of this park…Sa-ca-da…like Jon Secada from the 90’s (Just Another Day Without You…Miami Vice era)...

Though I don’t have a fly problem today, I do have mosquitos. Thankfully, it’s now much cooler (60’s) and still sunny. I took Sparky for two walks in the last hour with no success. Ugh, I feel like he is playing me. My hip hurts so much, I finally call my doctor about getting a referral for an Xray when I get to Madison in a few days.

Radio here is good – The Current 89.3. I don’t unhitch and I am not level. But I have a nice spot with electric and water, so I’m happy.