And the shop hopping continued!

On Wednesday, we bypassed Neff's Country Loft in Belpre, Ohio, because it didn't open until 10. We stopped by Sew Happy Quilting in Belpre. The Internet said it opened at 9 but it wasn't open. We eventually found out that it has all kinds of hours but it all comes down to when someone arrives to open the door. We went on.

Just across the Ohio River, we ended our shop hopping for the day at Bolts & Quarters Quilt Shop in Parkersburg, Ohio. Technically we began and ended with this one shop today. This was a real find. They've been voted Best Quilting & Sewing Store in Mid-Ohio Valley in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018! They recently moved to this location and are adding things and expanding. The people working were all super friendly and today was the owner's birthday so everything was 20% off! 

The building used to be a dairy and they are redoing and remodeling it as quickly as they can. This is the left end when you look at the building.

 

The right side is long and blue.

They have machines, long arms, quilting furniture, fabric, notions, some craft items. The shop was so bright and cheery. I wanted many things but I settled for a turquoise piece and a green piece for my stash. I added the black piece with colored dots just because I liked it. I took this photo as the lady was cutting - I did not bring home 2 bolts of fabric!

We spent most of the day driving interstates among the trees. The trees were nice but we prefer backroads. We found out last night that our preferred route was closed in 5 different places.

We had lunch at the Jubilee Diner in Friendsville, Maryland. We ordered a strawberry milkshake to share. It took a while to make it and then we found out why - they cut up fresh strawberries for it. It was fantastic! Our meals were good too. 

Eventually we could see mountains while we were driving on the interstate.

We began in Ohio today, traveled in West Virginia, then Maryland, back in West Virginia, and finally Virginia. We are now in Strasburg, VA, at a place we've stayed before. We'll be here until Sunday. and may be hibernating in the A/C - the temps are in the 90s - ugh! 

I'll blog again when I have something interesting to share. Until then, enjoy the 4th of July!

A Shop Hop Kind of Day

We left Indianapolis before 9 AM on Tuesday. That's early for us - we don't use alarms unless they are needed. I certainly didn't need one because I knew that I was going quilt shop-hopping!

It was a stressful day on the road. The interstates had lots of construction and heavy traffic, especially trucks. Then there was a crash on I-74 with a many mile backup. It was heavenly when we were able to leave the interstates behind.

And when we left the interstates behind, we began quilt shop hopping - a great stress relieving activity - at least for one of us!

First stop was at Seams Sew Easy in Fairfield, Ohio. 

Both the owner and the other lady working were very friendly. I found LOTS of neat fabric. I settled for a couple of pieces for backing. 

Folded so you can see all colors

Ray found this and I love it.

Second stop was at Cotton Junky Quilt Shop in Wilmington, Ohio. 

This is a nice, small shop with very friendly people. I bought a piece of blue fabric that my stash needs. 

We asked the owner where to eat and she immediately said The General Denver Hotel which was just diagonally across the nearby corner. 

Oh my! It was so good. We were sorry that we were too full to eat dessert; one of the waitresses told us almost everything was homemade and/or supplied locally. The place is small and was full with a wait list but we found 2 places at the bar. We'd definitely stop and eat there again.

Shrimp already off of the skewer and spinach salad
with tomato, bacon, onion... already tasted - I was hungry!

Our third shop was Old Town Fabric Shop in Chillicothe, Ohio. We've been to this shop before - it's in an old warehouse downtown. 

I found another piece of blue fabric for my stash. I also bought some Aurifil thread. They always have good prices on Aurifil. 

Just a mile or two away was our last shop, Creations Sew Clever, Inc., also in Chillicothe, Ohio. We've also visited this shop before. When we arrived, there was a For Sale sign and we couldn't tell if the shop was open. It was and I was so excited that I forgot to take a photo. I found two pieces for backing and a piece of red fabric for my stash.

I did get a couple of photos of projects in the store that I'll use for inspiration.

We still had about 2 hours to drive so we headed toward our rental in Belpre, Ohio. We stayed at Beautiful View of the Ohio River. It was clean and cool - very important since the temperatures had only cooled to about 80 degrees. 

We were able to walk about 8:30 pm. We wondered around our neighborhood for about 1/2 hour. Isn't this a gorgeous calla lily?

Our house like the rest was raised. We think there must have been a flood in this area a while back.

It was getting dark and some dark clouds began rolling in so we headed home. And the rain began!

Tomorrow we'll head to Virginia. I don't think it will be a day of shop-hopping but you never know ...

Minot, ND

On an Adventure before Dementia

-seen today on the back of a trailer pulled by an RV

Much of North Dakota is flat, very flat. You can see forever! We saw lots of trains 

and grain elevators. 

I was the navigator today, which is normal. We left Fargo and headed to Grand Forks. And then somehow, crossed the Red River into East Grand Forks, MN. And guess what we found - a neat little quilt shop, Quilter's JEM. The ladies were so kind and they had a nice selection of fabric.

There was a lot of fabric that I wanted but I left with a pattern, 2 pieces of fabric, and a piece of cork fabric which is new to me.

Before I forget, here is the fabric I bought for backing at River City Quilts yesterday.

Back in North Dakota, before we left Grand Forks, we drove by the Town Square. We wanted to see Memorial Park and the Flood Monument for the 1997 Red River Flood. We couldn't find any parking within at least 5 blocks so we drove on. I did get this picture of the flood wall.

As we drove north and west through North Dakota, we saw many fields with trees in them. We had a discussion as to why and then I did the research. The shelter belts help control erosion of top soil. We were right!

Just as I was thinking I might not have much to write about today, we arrived in Rugby, the geographical center of North America. Of course, we stopped!

There were some north, south, east, west signs.

We were in Lubec, ME three years ago.

And the day just got more and more interesting! We arrived at our Airbnb rental in Minot and it is great! Last night's was clean but cramped and a little different. We found out that the area we are staying in was greatly affected by the 2011 Souris River flood. The flood waters were up about 8 feet on the insides and outsides of the houses! Our host showed us photos that are incredible but sad. The neighborhood is still undergoing some recovery although most homes are done. There is also flood protection now.

I wanted to visit a quilt shop that was nearby Good Vibrations Modern Quilt Shop. It is a small shop in the owner's house taking over the original living room and dining room.

When I walked in the door, I couldn't stop smiling. I LOVED the bright colors. Most of the fabrics are Kaffe Fassett but there are a few others.

I looked at everything; I learned something about collage quilting; I was treated to a private showing of the owners collage quilts; and I finally decided on some fabrics to take home. The striped are from the owner's private stash!

Next we visited the Scandinavian Heritage Center that our Airbnb host told us about. We found that the buildings open tomorrow for the season but we were able to wander around the park. The weather was nice - about 60 degrees and sunny.

 There was a windmill

 and statues.

We walked across a small bridge and were informed of the rules!

While looking at this horse, which anyone could walk under,

we kept admiring this church.

We really wanted to get inside.

The carvings were incredible.

Some ladies were cleaning inside and one came out and called to us. She asked if we'd like to come in! YES!!! She actually owns the church - her husband built it!

It was interesting to hear her story firsthand. She was so kind and loves to share the 'little bit of Norway' with others.

A close up of some of the hand carved pieces.

It was a fun day! After dinner tonight, we walked around our neighborhood and enjoyed spending more time outside. Now it is close to 10pm and finally getting dark. Tomorrow we will cross the border and head north into Canada. More adventures to come!

Driving to Fargo, ND

Today we drove diagonally across Minnesota to Fargo ND. We saw lots of solar farms on our way.

If you follow a GPS from Rochester, MN, to Fargo, ND, you will most likely go through Minneapolis/St. Paul but if I am the navigator ...

you might go through Mankato and stop at River City Quilts! It's a cute, little shop with some nice ladies working.

I fell in love with this quilt but they didn't have the pattern nor any of the fabric left so I settled for a picture. It will be a good starting point some day.

I bought one piece of fabric for backing but it is packed so I'll have to show you that some other time.

Today was gorgeous and we continued to enjoy the flowering trees. 

The temperatures were in the high 70s and the skies were clear. We were driving near Le Sueur, MN, when I remembered that there was supposed to be a 50-foot tall Jolly Green Giant statue around there. And then I saw this: 

I was really excited until we got past it and I realized it was one of the huge Green Giant signs, not the statue. It was still fun to see him over the trees.

I think Ray was happy to point out this huge crow STATUE in Belgrade, MN. This is the world's largest crow in case you were wondering.

It was a long day in the car (at least it was for us). There was a little drama. After lunch, the waitress did not return Ray's credit card with the slip he had to sign. We didn't realize the card was missing until hours later when we were getting gas. I called while Ray pumped gas. I have spoken with the waitress and they have the credit card. I believe it was truly a mistake. Tomorrow everything will be worked out. I carry this same card. Although we have other credit cards with us, we really don't want to cancel this one. It has the best rewards and it does not charge a foreign transaction fee - we hope to use it for most of our trip. This is really just a bump in the road.

When we saw the sign for Downer, we decided not to go there - this little bump in the road is not going to ruin our day or our trip!

Neither of us has ever been to Fargo so this is a new place for us. It is a much larger city than I expected. We checked out a few stores downtown on our way to our rental. Tonight we walked in our neighborhood and are now in for the evening. Tomorrow will be another interesting day.