Update on George

The last post introduced you to this cutie-pie, George. I haven't been able to stop thinking about how he's doing; so I e-mailed the "goat lady," Ada and inquired. Here's what she had to say:
"thanks so much for the nice note asking about George. he has made many friends and it is wonderful. George is doing pretty good, really. he eats and drinks by himself now. all the therapy the children did with him must have helped. he is in the barn with goats on each side of his pen and appears comfortable. at first I was afraid he was blind, but he is following me with his eyes when I walk in and that is a good sign. he knows his name now. his ears turn when you speak TO HIM. he is one crazy little lovable fella and we are so happy he is doing so well. thanks again for your note, ada ( the old goat woman)"

Minnesota Travels Part VII

During the Amish tour we visited a non-Amish farm, Austin's Mohair Goats. Here's Aunt Frieda trying on socks.


Dad looking at them too.


I bought a couple pairs from this lovely lady, Ada Austin. She raises the goats and sends off the wool to be hand woven into socks.

Here's a mama goat with her recently born baby who was only a few days old.

So adorable.

Another goat.

Meet George, the cutest sheep. Poor little guy was born in March and when we met him he had suffered a stroke a few days earlier.

"Here I am, aren't I adorable?"

Minnesota Travels Part VI

We took a tour of the surrounding area; the rolling hills and bluffs are beautiful. The Amish began buying land and farms and they have successfully adapted to the surroundings despite being the minority culture. There will be no pictures of the Amish themselves; in their culture, they don't bring attention to themselves.


This is an Amish school house. All grade levels are taught in this one room. There is a separate outhouse and a place for the teacher to hitch her horse and buggy. They are schooled through the 8th grade. Amish teachers have no formal training; they just have to have been a very good student themselves.


An Amish wagon. The Amish don't fly in airplanes; they can catch trains or be driven by non-Amish in cars.


Joan is smiling because we just stopped at the Amish bakery and picked up some yummies.

Aunt Frieda and Aunt Shirley posing by an Amish wagon.

Getting off the tour van at the last stop.

Amish families are pretty self sufficient; providing themselves with their own food and milk. They don't use electricity so their food is canned - fruits, vegetables and even meat. Here's a goat. I learned a bit about the Amish and there is something to be said for the non-materialistic life style they lead. There are many aspects of their culture we might think about emulating.

Minnesota Travels Part V

Scenes of Lanesboro.............it's a cute town and they've kept the buildings on main street in good condition. Here's one example: this building houses the museum (wish I had time to check it out, perhaps on the next trip) and it is next to the bike path.


Someone is remodeling this train car to be an eatery.


What caught my attention was what was painted on it.


This is a rare site now days; I thought about making a call, just for the heck of it. I should have looked closer to see how much it costs to make a call.

Minnesota Travels Part IV

Lanesboro is a town of less than 800 residents; however, there are some great things if you take the time to look around. Some of us were walking back from dinner Friday night and saw this sign.

We headed up the alley and we got a real treat; flowers and fire flies.

Flowers make you smile.

I believe this contraption, now a flower pot, was once used for milk, to separate the cream.

From what was once a wagon; engraved is "Norma's Garden, Enjoy scenic views."

One morning Todd's mom and I went to look at it again and we met Norma's husband enjoying his coffee in the garden.

Minnesota Travles Part III

After the big breakfast I wasn't sure when I'd be hungry for lunch; but at noon I was hungry. We had lunch on Main Street at das Wurst Haus. I really like these "hole in the wall" places because it was a real "mom and pop" kind of place, unpretentious and the food was yummy!

I think it's owned by the guy in the picture below. Here's Aunt Frieda putting in her order; she wanted a chicken sandwich but he convinced her to order a brat because he makes them.

We had entertainment during lunch - it was very festive.

Joseph enjoying his ice cream.

We all enjoyed ice cream despite the sign:

Minnesota Travels Part III

After the hearty breakfast we went for a bike ride. Lanesboro paved the railroad tracks and it's sort of a bike trail mecca. Here are Uncle Ken and Dad (Al).

Mom (Joan)

We biked to the Red Barn, an old barn along the bike trail that has been converted to a hostel, campground, restaurant. At first I thought there were massive bee hives all over the barn but they are the nests for made by the Swallows. Gotta love those Swallows - they eat the skeeters - yeah!

The barn had some old farming tools on display.

Weights & measures?

More tools - they look dangerous.

All of the biking crew (except dad who is taking the photo) - it was gorgeous biking weather.

Top row (l-r) Uncle Ken, Joseph, Renae, Larry.

Front row (l-r) Mom, me, Hannah.

Minnesota Travels Part II

All 10 of us stayed at the Hillcrest Hide-Away B & B. I rate the place five stars - if you're in Lanesboro this is the place to stay!!! At 7 a.m. freshly baked bread and a beverage of our choice was waiting in a basket outside our door. Here we are gathered at the table for Saturday breakfast.


This is Marv, he and his wife, Carol, own the B & B. They are the nicest people and most wonderful hosts.

Our first course was this elegant fruit dish drizzled with carmel yogurt and the flowers are edible.

Joseph, Uncle Ken (Todd's uncle), and Al (Todd's Dad).

The second course was lemon yogurt coffee cake - THE BEST I ever had! I remembered to take a picture before I ate the last couple of bites.

Aunt Frieda and I; we're smiling because our tummies and taste buds were so happy.

The last course was french toast with cherries and whip cream and a couple of bacon slices on the side. For all who know me well, you know I can put food away, but I had a hard time finishing this.

Minnesota Travels Part I

This year, the Wellnitz family reunion took place in Lanesboro, Minnesota, a town of less than 800 people in the southeast corner of the state. Lanesboro is about 100 miles from Eau Claire and on my drive I was behind this thing. It looks like some John Deere version of a Star Wars ship. Thank goodness I wasn't behind it for long.


The first evening we gathered for dinner then some conversation and wine. Here I am with Joan (Todd's mom).


This is Todd's cousin, Renae, from South Dakota.


Aunt Frieda (Renae's mom) and Joseph (Renae's son).


Aunt Shirley.