It's fair season which means a new to us county fair.
I was driving back via the scenic route from Albert Lea earlier in the week when I saw that Waseca County was throwing their "Free Fair" this weekend. Since we were already going to nearby New Ulm, why not make a day of it?
You know our first food stop is the lemonade stand, especially on this really hot day. The tanker size was a must.
We now are collecting these giant lemonade contraptions, I guess.
It was hot and humid. The lemonade wouldn't last too long.
Then it was lunch time.
Of course Meadow just picked sweets.
Scott and I split a hot beef sundae made by the Signature Supper Club.
Most of the vendors were local establishments. Much better than your average fair food.
Cooling down any way we could.
The free fair comes with free entertainment, like this maze.
And a really cute wife.
Failing miserably, but having fun nonetheless.
We also had to get the fresh kettle corn.
They did not skimp on the large size.
The highlight of the fair was the bingo. Even the kids got to play their own cards.
The rides might have been more fun at night.
It was just too hot.
I guess we'll get cotton candy too.
Then it was back to more bingo.
This kid has decided hot dogs are gross and will only eat plain hamburgers.
The food is just OK. Why didn't we just eat dinner at the fair?
On our drive to New Ulm we made a quick stop at Minneopa State Park to see the waterfall. With all the rain this summer I knew it would be raging. They closed off access to the river so only views from above.
We've seen this one trickle in the past. Quite the site in mid summer.
Then we made it to our campsite at Flandrau State Park. Even as the sun was setting it was hot and swassy.
Wait, don't you mean sweaty? Am I getting old?
After a hot night we were thankful to be in the shade.
This was one of the first places Brooke and I ever camped. Wonder what we'd been doing on summer weekends had we not started our camping obsession.
All because we wanted to go to the August Schell's brewery and were too poor to stay anywhere else.
We hadn't been up on the Herman monument since they started charging admission. We splurged this time so the kids could experience it.
Theo is afraid of heights and hated it.
It doesn't have much of a railing, tbh.
The kids and maybe I, liked the playground more.
Even I took a turn.
When in New Ulm, you have to stop by the best beer garden in Minnesota.
August Schell's is a Minnesota institution and the second oldest family-owned brewery in the United States.
We started out with a Grain Belt since it was still sweltering hot.
The gnats have been a real pest with all the rain and humidity lately.
After finishing our beers we explored the gardens.
So cool that the family still lives in the house.
For our second round we moved inside.
They just opened the beer hall a few years back. Before you had to go on tour to drink at the brewery.
After a few beers we ordered a tater hot dish frozen pizza. The kiddos would've preferred a cheese pizza.
About the time we we going to leave there was music out in the beer garden.
Another walk around the grounds.
The kiddos wanted to find one of the peacocks.
Finding the peacocks is always a highlight.
Until next time, Schell's
The kids highlight from the weekend was watching the Disney channel at the hotel.
We had a room for the night at the Best Western in town. I'd be photographing it the next morning, but we'd have fun for now.
The next day the kids and I explored New Ulm while Scott worked. On a walk last night we went to German park and the kids loved the zip line. So we had to go back.
I always try to find geocaches when we are traveling.
Then we walked over to the Glockenspeil to see the noontime show.
Then a trip to the local bookstore. Even Theo found a book he wanted.
We'd have so many books if they bought one every time we're on a workcation.
The pool was off limits during much of my shoot while it dried out for photos. Lucky kids got to swim once I'd photographed it.
On New Years Eve, Theo "found" a bunch of coins under the claw machine and now he always has to check if he can find them again.
Haha. Oh, kids.
We were planning on eating at the Kaiserhoff, but it's closed on Mondays. 209 Pub & Grill it was.
Not gonna lie. I could live here and we're quite German, so we'd fit right in.
Downtown is the MN Eis ice cream shop. Their specialty is this "spaghetti and meatballs" ice cream. They squeeze ice cream through a spaetzle maker, top with strawberry, white chocolate shavings and you get to pick your cookie dough for the meatballs.
Nice place. But we've got to get home.
See you later New Ulm.
On our drive home we stopped at our favorite cheese maker Bongards Cheese.
Who knew they were so close to the cities?
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