To reach this coveted status, I knew I'd need a little help. I say "yes" to evenings at the Ol Stuga whenever possible, shop at Scott's grocery store with their high prices (who doesn't love to buy local?), and even stop at Casey's every morning with Sara to get ice in our 52 oz mugs. I am also pro-hydration. But somehow I still often feel like I am just a visitor here.
This morning, while enjoying my caramel macchiato from the Old Grind while my friend from out of town enjoyed his hot chocolate, I racked my brain for ideas to entertain him. Nothing seemed to be open, so we wandered the streets aimlessly, looking in windows while I blabbed about the store I want to open and peered in the building for rent to assess its quality.
I suddenly remembered the time Molly and I had accidentally ended up in Lindsborg and had found a tiny building with seemingly endless pamphlets about Lindsborg and its splendor. I told my friend about it, and we had a new quest. Of course I couldn't find it. We passed it a few times before we finally saw it -- right beside the Old Grind, nonetheless. Whoops. We grabbed a pamphlet for Coronado Heights and went the wrong direction a couple of times before I just Googled it. God bless my Blackberry. I wasn't alone on this part of the adventure, but it's still worth mentioning.
I was a little upset that I had spent $12 on a car wash yesterday and had to drive a mile on a dirt road, but I was willing to go 30 mph, at least. Sometimes 15. We creeped up the bluff to Coronado Heights, and I will dare to say the the road up was terrible. Full of potholes and deep crevices, not good for cars. Good thing my 4-cylinder is a trooper.
It definitely was a beautiful sight to see. Even in the wildly warm, rainy, windy, kind-of-like-autumn day that it was. I didn't come prepared with proper foot gear for the trek, but I enjoyed it. We made our way around the desolate site, and could see for miles. It was very castle-esque, and had I been a child, I would have stayed for hours, enjoying its whimsical qualities, and pretending to be my ancestors. Then, every time I saw a car go by, I would exclaim with wonder, "What's that piece of machinery!?" Just like the old days, Sami K.
For some information on Coronado Heights, check out this link: http://www.kansastravel.org/coronadoheights.
After my friend left, I looked for candles for my dear friend Peggy H. (only available in little Sweden for her Swedish Christmas tree) and headed to Salina for some thrifting. The candles didn't fit, but I did get to see one of my favorite families for the third time this Christmas break. My tummy led me to Freddy's Frozen Custard for lunch, alone. Always the most awkward of experiences alone is eating. Freddy's was crazy stuffed with families and couples, so me taking up a whole booth to myself seemed a little selfish, but hey, it was warmer than a little table. I enjoyed my burger with pickles and read from the Visitor's Guide I had brought in on a whim.
I also thought I might have time to make some lists, but I didn't. Right there, in the center of the universe that is Freddy's Frozen Custard, I decided to work my way through the Lindsborg Visitor's Guide. I threw my trash away with gusto and walked outside without putting on my coat. Nothing could stop me. But I did get a tad distracted by a woman with very small arms making the narrowest turn ever in her humongous van. What a BAMF! But then...back on course.
I drove right back to Lindsborg, searched all the little shops for candles to fit Peggy's Swedish Christmas tree, but only found one candle in a discarded pile of candles. Defeat. But I will not give up!
Next up -- I went to the Bibliotek (library). I have been wanting to visit its used book store inside, as well. I got myself an account and spent an hour browsing, then ended up with these gems:
I checked out Kate Chopin's The Awakening. Always a great read. As well as "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Cary Grant. LOVE me some Cary Grant. And I don't fully understand why more men don't have his swagger.
I also got the bottom four for my classroom. The 20th Centry Children's Book Treasury (full of all my favorite books made smaller!), Surprise (which was only 25 cents and needs a little TLC, but great for object permanence), Merry Christmas Amelia Bedelia (my childhood favorite books, and more for me than anything), and Fun with Numbers (that comes with an interactive CD-rom! Helloooooo technology!). All of this for the bargain price of six dollars! It was buy one, get one free. Hallelujah.
I also got to know the lady working behind the circulation desk a little. She asked me if I was in college (typical), and when I told her that I was teaching preschool at Head Start, she was so gracious and appreciative. I liked her immediately. She said she admired what we do, and that she knows it didn't make a lot of money (truth), but it was such an important job, and she was so glad I was doing it. Her son was born with Autism and attended parochial school in Western Kansas, which must be how she heard about us somewhere along the way. We shared a few experiences, as many as two could while she scanned my books and a line formed behind me. Yes, I liked that place indeed.
Now home, as I reflect on my day, I am proud of its productivy contributing to my "towner" status. Now maybe when you ask me what to do on a lazy day in Lindsborg, I'll have an answer.
*Tip for Onderful Adventurers*
When going out alone, always wear something you feel lovely in. One of my favorite things to do is make outfits. However generic that sounds. When I feel good about myself, I project confidence. And doing things alone takes a hearty helping of that.
