Not Gainesville
Forgive me, for I have traveled; it has been one month since my last trip... This time I accompanied John on a speaking gig to Duluth, Minnesota. I told myself that the half-empty plane was going anyway, that a bus trip would have taken four days (and three times the money), that I could eat and sleep for practically free - and that I really needed some time alone with my husband. I know my carbon footprint doesn't care about these excuses. But I also know this freedom (and sometimes need) to travel is going to be relatively short-lived.
So I went ahead and loved it anyway. Years ago I visited a different part of Minnesota, but this was even better because it was FALL. High 30s at night, 60s during the day, and some lovely color. Best of all, my friend from Minnesota sent me some dining suggestions for our extra day there: the Vanilla Bean Cafe in Two Harbors for one-of-a-kind omelets and traditional Swedish pancakes (lots of Northern Europeans in MN) and the Angry Trout in Grand Marais which wowed us with their local-ness - from tables made by local carpenters with local wood, to local potter-made plates, to delicious local food. She also suggested some wonderful hikes up the north shore toward Ontario (we crossed the border for fun, although it's not so much fun these days... after John said he worked for a "human rights organization" we were asked if we were planning on protesting anything while we were there. (What is there to protest in Canada?) I was surprised how Minnesotan this part of Minnesota continues to look - lots of mom and pop stores, restaurants, and motels. Being from Florida, I kept expecting a shoreline of lakeview-blocking condos to spring up around the next bend, or a Super-Walmart to have overtaken a small town or two up the road. It never happened. From Duluth to Ontario, it was just lovely Minnesota-ness.
Again, I'm reminded of how precious our places are, in their particularity. The tomatoes tasted different at the Angry Trout, and we have nothing like wild rice here in Gainesville. But we have a bounty of our own good things and I'm so glad the tide seems to be turning in our ability to appreciate them and make the most of them. This week, our household joined a local endeavor: Locals' Food Market, Inc., - the beginnings of a local foods co-op here in Gainesville. You should too! They have a great mission:
To help grow a community-based food system through the establishment of a cooperatively-owned retail storefront. We can provide a dependable market for our local producers and increase the availability of homegrown goods to our community's citizens.
Sounds good, doesn't it? You can download more info and application materials here:
Mission and Vision Statement: Download notes_missionvision_locals.docx
Membership Info: Download package_membership_locals.pdf
Application: Download application_membership_locals.pdf
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