Last year, my husband Joey and I traveled across the US, visiting 29 states.
Although I thought I knew what to expect, a few states were filled with pleasant surprises, from fascinating hole-in-the-wall historic sites to stunning natural beauty.
Of all the places we visited, these four states surprised me most.
I was impressed by Minnesota’s nature and charming towns
Growing up in Iowa, I only went to Minnesota once: to visit the Mall of America. So, last year, we decided to see what else the state has to offer.
We quickly discovered that its “Land of 10,000 Lakes” nickname is very appropriate. Even on rural highways, we found the prettiest little lakes, some untouched and others with small docks.
Just about 30 miles east of Minneapolis, we visited the small river town of Stillwater, which was jam packed with antique shops, book stores, and so many candy and ice cream shops that I became worried about the town’s sugar intake.
We took the scenic byway north out of Stillwater, stopping at overlooks to watch the kayakers on the St. Croix River far below. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and I can’t wait to check out other natural areas on my next visit.