Road Trip to Junk Bonanza 09'

Last September, we went to the annual Junk Bonanza in Shakopee, Mn.  We had never been before so did not know what to expect. Let's just say, we were very happy!  It was actually the best antique/junk market we had ever been to.  The displays were all fabulous!!  We turned the entire weekend into a mini getaway.  On the way home, we drove down the Mississippi River through Red Wing, and Winona, Mn. My alma mater was Saint Mary's of Winona, and my brother attended St. Thomas in St. Paul. Minnesota.  I feel very lucky to of gone to college in such a beautiful area. 

Outside of the market were huge trailers filled with all sorts of fall goodies.

I love old watch and clock parts.  These look great just massed in a large jar, but under a cloche, even better!

It looks like Anne is casting a spell on this globe.  Perhaps it is so it doesn't go home with me.  I own a ton! 

There is something about antique croquet that I just love, probably the great colors!  Also pictured, antique pennants, they look so cute hung on a wall, or turned into a pillow.  I was very excited to score a bunch on my last trip to Eagle River.

Vintage maps are another one of my favorite things.  I have seen them turned into window shades, which is what I have planned for my son's room.

After the show, we headed into Minneapolis and Saint Paul to do some exploring of shops.  

  

 

These shops were loaded with tons of great things. 

We drove down to Redwing, Mn. and stopped at a farmer's market that was going on. 

                                                     Sun flowers are so cheery.

I love this picture. A pick up truck filled with corn and other produce. Adorable!  I bet this combo would make a good corn salsa!

Stockholm Wisconsin is definitely worth a stop.  There are tons of great shops in the town.  It was such an adorable place. The next set of pictures were taken in Stockholm. www.stockholmwisconsin.com

                   You can rent these bikes to ride around town.

Lots of grapevine along the fences in town. 

                            What a cute advertising idea.

A humpty dumpty sculptor in a small garden.  Each piece was for sale.  They were so great.

You get the idea.

We took a ride to find the apple orchard in town.  There was not much going on yet. It is called Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery.  www.maidenrockwinerycidery.com

This was the most beautiful, gigantic pumpkin!

 

Lake Pepin is a very large and beautiful lake.  When I was in college and would drive up to visit my brother, I used to enjoy watching the Bald Eagles on the icy shore of the lake. They would sit on the ice and fish.  It was such an amazing thing to watch.  In the warmer months, you can see them soaring everywhere. 

 

Motorcycle rally's were all up and down the highway. They filled the little towns.  It was really quite cool!

Ahhh, the beautiful bluffs. 

On the way back, we came upon a great pumpkin stand. Everything was marked and you just kept track of what you had, and left the money in a box.  You've got to love the honor system, you don't bug anyone, and no one bugs you.

This pumpkin made a beautiful back drop for the farmer's market bouquet mom picked up.

One of our last and favorite stops was in the town of Pepin.  We stopped for a snack at this adorable cafe.   www.pepinwisconsin.com

Everything about this place was appealing.  It was wonderful and so warm and welcoming.  We could tell that Julie Ellwell, the owner, was very creative and crafty. Look at her welcome sign, so cute.  www.thehomemadecafe.com

                   They served your pie on individual cake stands.  Awesome!!

In case your wondering our route back, I thought I'd give a brief description of what we did after Junk Bonanza.   We drove up to  Minneapolis/St. Paul, then headed down to Red Wing Mn and spent the night there.  In the morning, we explored Red Wing, then headed across the river, on US Hwy 63 to the Wisconsin side.  We took State Road 35 down the river, which is also called "The Great River Road".  This is where we encountered all the great little towns along the way.  We then crossed back over the river on 54 to get to Winona, Minnesota.  After reminiscing about my college days, we headed down hwy. 61 towards LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and crossed back over the river, and caught interstate 90, which took us home. 

This year's Junk Bonanza in on September 16th, 17th and 18th.  We are in the process of planning our trip now.  I suggest you do the same, you won't be disappointed. We are actually leaving on Wednesday night and coming back on Thursday night, I'm interested to see how much we can cram into one day!! Let us know if you have any questions! Check out the link to the website for Junkbonanza.  You can get all sorts of information on the show.    http://junkbonanza.com/