Pipestone

The kids and I started a program called Couch to 5k a month and a half ago. I do not consider myself a runner, but have a hamstring tear and am having trouble maintaining my yoga practice. Basically, we run/walk, increasing the running increments weekly. An app keeps track of it. In a total of 9 weeks, we technically should be able to run 3.2 miles. When we started, I had visions of morning jogs down remote back roads all over the country. This chilly drizzly morning in Pipestone, MN was our first run of the trip. Chapin was a happy dog.

One thing I totally planned ahead for is coffee. We have plenty of Major Dickason's Blend, a french press and our favorite mugs on board. The first cup of the day is always to die for, but I think it's even better camping.





I originally chose to come to Pipestone because it is a national monument in the perfect location to stop for the night. We've stayed at enough campgrounds now (3) to start comparing them. This one is quite quaint. It has cute little decorative touches (little overalls and shirts hanging on the laundry room walls,) thoughtful extras (dry bathmats folded over each shower door,) and pleasant facilities (the shower water stays on and is fully adjustable.)

The town of Pipestone is named for the Native American pipestone quarries found no where else in the world. The stone is red, legend says from the thousands of ancestors who died in a flood that wiped out a population of Plains Indians. The pipes, being the vessel of prayers, are sacred, the rock from which they are is sacred, the grounds through which Earth Mother provides the source are sacred. Pipestone is still quarried by select tribesmen. It is an honor to quarry and carve pipestone, as well as a lifeline to ancient traditions. Beautiful, haunting, POWERFUL place.












Legend has it that healers would come to this rock and the Great Spirit would speak to them. (After much smoking of the pipestone pipe.)




All of the National Parks and most of the monuments have Junior Ranger programs. Chloe is very excited about collecting the certificates and patches awarded by the park rangers after completion of park-related activities. She got her 1st one today.





Carlos in Pipestone.




I listen to The Splendid Table and live vicariously through Jane and Michael Stern on Saturday afternoons as they drive around the country eating fabulously fattening local food and then writing about it. (Dream job!) One of their recommended restaurants is in Pipestone. (The real reason I chose there to stay?) Lange's Cafe serves up old fashioned home-style meals 24 hours a day.




I had a french dip smothered in caramelized onions and sour cream raisin pie for dessert.







All of us left happily stuffed. Our kind of joint.


I had butterflies as we drove out of town, knowing that soon we would cross the South Dakota line. When this trip became real, and I pulled out the first map to route it, this is where it all began for me. I have been to the midwest, lived there actually, for a very long 4 years. I am not drawn to it. Lisa was the best part of that region, by far! But boy am I pulled past it. I am sure I have overly romanticized the Wild West but I really, really want to see it!!!







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