Back in Stillwater for Some Berry Picking and Swimming

Since we'd actually be home this weekend it seemed like a good time to go berry picking. Usually we go at the end of July but with the hot, dry summer it was already nearing the end of the season. Our usual place The Berry Patch was already closed for the season. Luckily I found Blueberry Fields of Stillwater who had a few days left. 

I also had to get a drone shot for Discover Stillwater. When we got out there I instantly noticed the haze. It's been the summer of fires to the west and the north. So, we get these lovely false overcast days.

Honestly, I kind of liked this place better. They keep the plants covered to avoid bugs so the bushes have tons of berries. We stayed at the same bush the entire time we picked. And bonus they let you use stools.

I prefer picking apples or evens strawberries, but nothing is better than fresh blueberries even if picking them is a pain.

It's nice to have 2 extra helpers this year.

These little guys helped me fill my bucket while Brooke took the other side of the bush.

After picking we headed to the St. Croix Boom Site to eat our lunch we packed. First we played on the rocks and in the water.

This was actually a nice spot to swim. A long beach and it wasn't busy.

Though, the beach is bigger than normal due to the drought.

The spring was refreshing.

The kids could have stayed all day.

I went back and picked up our lunch since the kids didn't want to leave.

We sat down right on a wasp nest, so had to move quickly, but other than that we had nice little lunch under the trees.

Before leaving we checked out the cave. The waterfall we saw last fall, I'm sure, doesn't exist at the moment or is just a dribble.

Then we headed to downtown Stillwater. It seemed a lot less busy than normal.

We promised treats for the kids at Tremblay's. 

 

We didn't know at the time, but we'd soon be wearing masks in public as COVID cases went from nonexistent to increasing due to the Delta variant. It was fun while it lasted.

Then we got drinks at the Oasis Cafe. I'm always surprised at how few people are always here when it's such a beautiful quiet space. 

 

Tucked in under the Main Street Stairs and next to the historic brewery caves, what's not to like?

Then it was the kids turn to pick something to do, Teddy Bear Park.

Then we made the journey back to our car.

We weren't leaving just yet. We got another drink at Forge and Foundry Distillery.

The kids loved their mocktail.

We liked the roofdeck views.

 

Oddly (well, not really) all of the other deck sitters decided they didn't want to sit by our loud kiddos.

Eventually everyone left and we had it to ourselves. This space used to be a wine bar and still had grapevines growing on the railing. Meadow enjoyed sitting down eating said grapes. 

Glad we finally got to check out Forge & Foundry after photographing here during the heart of the pandemic.

We were going to swim over in Hudson, but first we needed to eat something more substantial. We found the Winzer Stube in some basement on Hudson's main street and picked the platter for 2. Clearly enough for us plus the kids.

We ended our lovely day with a swim in the St. Croix in Hudson until sunset.