Minnesota (briefly) and then to Iowa
More I90 through corn and soybean fields and then into the extreme southwest corner of Minnesota. Just past the border we headed north thirty miles to Pipestone National Monument. In this area a layer of Pipestone was (is) near the surface and Native Americans quarried (still do) the stone to make pipe bowls as well as other decrative items. The area was so sacred to all tribes that warlike intentions and animosites were suspended when there. The stone is still mined as it always has been - by hand. No power tools of machines. The layers of quartzite (30 - 50 feet or more) have to be removed a chunk at a time to get to the Pipestone layer. Lots of hard work. The quaries are in the middle of a tall grass prairie and there is a nice interpretive trail through the prairie and quaries.
Back south and into Iowa. We stayed the night in a state park in Evansville. Very quiet. We were the only people there. Bright and clear all day and evening. About 5:00 this morning (Tuesday) we woke to thunder and lightening and some rain. By 7:00 it was totally done.
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