Way Back When-sday: River Wannigan

I recently sent my story, Enticing Julia Morgan, to my agent. I'm really excited about this story. It's set in 1898 at the height of the logging era in central Minnesota.

As I crafted this story, I wanted to make sure I was able to capture the romance and flavor of the logging days on the Mississippi River. My town was home to one of the largest lumber mills in the United States at that time. It was called the Pine Tree Lumber Company.

Millions of feet of logs flowed downriver from the logging camps in northern Minnesota each spring/summer/fall. All winter long the logging camps would cut and stack logs along streams and riverbanks. When the river thawed they would roll the logs into the Mississippi.

With each "drive" of logs, the camp would send along one, or possibly two, river wannigans to travel with the men driving the logs.

 

The wannigan was a floating shack, usually 25 to 30 feet long, and built low to the water to keep it stable on the fast moving river. The main wannigan was used as a cook shack, and the second (if there was one) might be used for sleeping.

I included a couple of wannigans in Enticing Julia Morgan. My hero, Noah, is the owner of a large mill (inspired by the Pine Tree Lumber Company) and he often goes out to the wannigans when they travel by to hear the news from the winter logging camps.

I had fun bringing the wannigan to life in my story.

Your Turn: Have you ever heard of a wannigan before? Would you like to ride in one?

Minnesota Monday: The Dam on the Mississippi

I love spring in Minnesota for numerous reasons, but especially because the Mississippi River comes alive! My hometown, where my stories are set, was founded on the largest waterfalls north of St. Anthony Falls (now a part of Minneapolis).

 

The falls were first dammed in 1849, but the dam washed down river...as did the second one in 1860. The current dam was built in 1887-88, and has had many updates and repairs.

 

Right now the dam is open full force because of the spring thaw. Eventually the water will slow down, but it remains a powerful force all throughout the year.

 

This is a favorite place for people to stop and enjoy the Mississippi. I come here often to get inspired, dream about my stories and feel refreshed.

 

What about you? Where do you go over and over to feel refreshed?



 

 

Friday Fun, Minnesota Style: Views of the Mississippi

I once heard someone say that they'd crossed the Mississippi three times in their life and that had been a huge accomplishment. I couldn't agree more. Anytime we explore the world, we're richer because of it. The reason that struck me as a bit funny, though, is because I cross the Mississippi many times a week, and I can go out on any given day and dip my toes in it. Each of us is blessed to live where we do and each place has a beauty all its own. Where I live, that beauty is embodied by the Mississippi River. Here are pictures I've taken this year - some are from my backyard and others are from town.

What about you? What embodies the natural beauty where you live? Have you ever crossed the Mississippi?

Friday Fun: My Childhood Home

I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of my childhood home today (no, it wasn't one of these gorgeous mansions!). My dad was the caretaker for the Musser & Weyerhaeuser Estate (above) and we lived in the carriage house below the hill. It sounds a bit like Sabrina, doesn't it? :) The estate wasn't quite as elaborate, but it was still a very magical place to grow up. I had a unique upbringing, to say the least, and it greatly impacted my love for history. 



This was my childhood home, the carriage house

 Here's a bit of the history of the estate:

Charles A. Weyerhaeuser and Richard “Drew” Musser came to Minnesota in 1891 and managed the Pine Tree Lumber Company, which was founded in 1890 by their fathers.

The Weyerhaeuser Home (green house) and Musser home (white house) are neighboring mansions that occupy nine acres of wooded land on top of a small bluff called Linden Hill, overlooking the Mississippi river. These homes were designed by Clarence H. Johnston, the most significant architectural figure in Minnesota, and they were built in the shingle style in 1898.

 

In 1920 the Pine Tree Lumber Company closed and the Weyerhaeusers moved their business to Washington State, where the company is still prominent today. Drew Musser stayed in Little Falls and went into banking. His daughter, Laura Jane, took over the green house in the 1950's after returning from New York City where she attended Juilliard. Laura Jane Musser was the last family member to live on the estate and when she passed away in 1989, the property was given to the city and is now operated as Linden Hill Historical Event Center. Laura Jane was a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz and her amazing collection of memorabilia is still in the green house. She and Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked Witch of the West) met in New York City and became life long friends. Margaret visited Laura Jane many times at her home.



Margaret Hamilton (left) and Laura Jane

We moved into the carriage house when I was three years old. I have wonderful memories of Laura Jane and our time on the estate. It's still one of my favorite places on Earth.

Two weeks ago it was just my hubby and the twins and I, so we took out the Jeep and visited my old stomping grounds. You can see why this place is still very magical to me and I love sharing it with my own family - and now you. 



My handsome men



The school house

 

The pool house, which has now been filled in, was the
location we had out Groom's Dinner. Before the
twins were born my mother & mother-in-law
held a shower for me in the white house and over seventy
friends and family came with gifts and love (we didn't
 need to buy diapers for four months!). I continue to
make great memories on this estate.

The "barn" at the bottom of the hill. This was my dad's
"office" so to speak and I have memories of planting the
garden here and picking eggs in the chicken coop.

 

This was my backyard, at the bottom of Linden Hill where
my sister and I would play house every day. There was
a little garden gnome that held a book and I used to
sit in front of him and pretend he was reading to me...

 

There are nine acres of land and we had the run of

almost half of it (the part that was at the bottom of

the hill). We enjoyed skating on the pond, sledding
down the hill, playing baseball in the yard and imagining

what it would be like to live in the mansions.

This was our sledding hill in the winter. My parents
always had a huge New Year's Eve party here. You can

see part of the white house through the trees. Our house

was to the left of this picture.



The view from our backyard... The Mississippi River





This is "The Point," which is falling into disrepair. There
used to be a chimney in the middle where we roasted
marshmallows and popped Jiffy Popcorn.



I hope you enjoyed a little trip down memory lane with me today! I have an amazing story brewing in my head for this estate...I can't wait to share it someday.

What about you? Where did you spend your childhood? Do you ever go back and visit?

~ ~ ~ ~

Don't forget, if you haven't entered the drawing for the wonderful gift basket from Author Donna Pyle, head over to My Guest, Donna Pyle (With An Amazing Giveaway!). The drawing ends on Sunday, August 26th at 11:59 p.m. You won't want to miss it! Donna is giving away two of her Bible Studies, including her new release, The God of All Comfort, a mug, $15 iTunes gift card and $50 Amazon gift card!

Friday Fun: Minnesota Style

I can't believe we're already heading into the middle of August. I feel like the summer just started, but we're already thinking about school again. My oldest will be in second grade and my six year old is starting Kindergarten. It will just be the boys and I home this year...strange. I remember when I had one child and the prospect of having a second one seemed daunting, I mean, how would I ever get out of the house? Now the idea of just having two at home seems like a breeze!

We've been trying to sneak in a couple more fun activities before the girls head off to school. I thought I'd share two of our recent family outings - they both took place last Sunday.

After church we took our boat out onto the river. It was the first time we've done this since moving into our new river house last spring - and boy is it different than a lake! We had to keep on the lookout for rocks and deadheads (floating logs). The Mississippi, in our neck of the woods, is very narrow, which gives it a cozy feel - and as long as you want to drive the boat, you can just keep on going - until you come to a dam, that is!

We stopped at the "Sandbar" that we've been hearing so much about - and it was breathtaking. Here are the pictures I took.







My youngest was thrilled when we saw the "Choo-choo"
on the trestle over the river. I wish you could have seen
his face light up!

After we came in from the river I took the girls to a drive-in theater in a nearby town. We joined my brother and his family, my parents and my uncle and his family. It was a blast!


Me and my gals - my oldest is holding her latest
manuscript!

 


Some of my nieces and nephews and my girls

We saw the newest Ice Age - it was a great movie.

What about you? Have you ever been boating on a river? Ever been to a drive-in theater? What activities are you trying to do in these last few weeks of summer?

Friday Fun: Minnesota Style

If there's one thing I've learned about writing, it's that a good story should have a good setting. I believe the same is true for a good life and that's why I've chosen to live in Minnesota. It's a beautiful state and a wonderful place to live and raise a family. As you heard in my vlog, I was dubbed Miss Minnesota by my co-workers in Iowa because I talked so highly and frequently about my favorite state (this is no reflection on the great state of Iowa, however, as I speak highly of that place, as well!). So here are a few pictures from our week and, as you can see, there really is no place like home (if you live in Minnesota, that is...)




The Mississippi River is very high this year - check out the
trees that are under water!

 

We went with my parents and my
brother's family to a bike
& walking trail which crosses
the Mississippi on this old train
trestle. The dam is to the left
and the water rushes under the
bridge at a dizzying pace.

                  



 

Our oldest twin pointing to
the rushing water from the dam





 


The sun was setting as we packed up to leave

This is the same beach I played on as a child!

And last, but not least, the current corn report:
Knee high by the Fourth of July! All is well.
(This was taken from the car)



What about you? What state (or country) do you live in? What are some things you love about your setting? Have you ever been to Minnesota?