Winona - the first born daughter

Winona is a small town east of Rochester, Minnesota. It was not the best of days to travel 40 miles but on Y's insistence, we set forth on a wet, cloudy Sunday afternoon. The drive to Winona is to say the least - breathtaking. Spring was in the air, cows in the meadows and verdant fields rippled in the strong breeze. Grain silos stretched into the skies and totem poles dotted well-kept gardens.

The ride to the viewpoint at Garven Heights is winding but short. At 575 ft, the highest point offers a breathtaking view of the town and beyond. The eastern front is of the mighty Mississippi winding her way along the state border with a two-lane bridge spanning the river into Wisconsin and on the north side are the bluffs shrouded with deciduous vegetation. The mist in the air and the tall, drenched cedars added a romantic touch to the visit.




On getting back to ground level, we walked around the streets of Winona. Downtown Winona is centered around the University campus and like every U town, the denizens projected a carefree attitude. A desperate coffee hunt yielded Abbey's Soda Jerk and Candy Cafe built along the 1950s soda-pop place.

Winona appeared to have a fairly strong Christian population. Lutheran, Catholic and Episcopal churches are numerous and are all visual treats with their tall spires and manicured lawns. However, the one that caught our eye was the domed St.Stanislaus church with its white facade and prim exterior.

A walk around the local lake was refreshing. I noted hundreds of dead worms ( earthworms I presume) washed out on the tar from the lake. What caused death in such numbers ? And for my mental notepad : the black-winged bird with a touch of bright red on its shoulder and a shrill call needs to be identified. (Post-script : this is the Red-winged Blackbird )

The return journey through the spectacular White Water State Park was relaxing. We were guided back to Rochester by road signs and the dark, water-bearing clouds that condescended to shower us at intervals.

A trip to the grocery store marked a mundane end to a delightful journey ..

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
An eternity in an hour.

- William Blake