This year’s Mystery Trip is behind us now. Sometimes the best of trips and surprises will be close to home.

The first clue, “collections, not few,” refers to the toy collection and many other collections at the Greibrok Toy Museum located south of Oakland.

About 30 some rooms plus a silo includes a county fair with all the rides, lights, and sounds associated. There are tractors of every year, and more model cars than you could count. Mrs. Greibrok has her fancy dressed crocheted dolls dinning at her 16 foot dining table. Nearly every wall and area is filled with their collections.

The next clue was “Something new, it could be Blue.”

This was the Pelican Breeze 11 Boat Cruise, an open air cruise narrated by writer, speaker, and story teller Al Batt. Al writes weekly columns in over a hundred papers, plus has written cartoon strip scripts for over 30 years. His expertise is birding and bird watching and wildlife in general.

The Pelican is certainly the right name for the cruiser, as we saw many, many, Pelicans. We learned so much on this interesting ride. I was especially surprised to hear that their bills can hold two and half gallons of water. They are beautiful.

A city tour took us through a park, lovely residences, industrial park, golf courses, and many beautiful flower and garden settings.

“We’re not playing around,” was the third clue.

That’s right. We came to the new Wedgewood Golf Club to dine. Another new dinning site close to us with beautiful landscaping.

The next clue was, “It’s a First Time Revue”

The Marion Ross Arts Center was our last stop as we had seats for opening night of the delightful musical. “Gypsy,” complete with a large cast some of whom our travelers recognized.

The show was based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous Burlesque Queen and focused on her mother, Rose who was the ultimate show business mom. Some of America’s most popular songs came from this show and era including “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” and “Let Me Entertain You.” This show will play eight nights on the North Main Street theater.

Surely you have guessed that this year our Mystery Trip showcased Albert Lea.

Upcoming Events

Sunday: Balance of our Fall Tour West is due. A few seats are still available. The trip will include stops in Minot, N.D., Whitefish, Mont., Moses Lake, Wash. and the beautiful drive Coeur d’Alene. There will also be stops in Portland, Ore. and the magnificent Multnomah Falls, Gold Beach and International Rose Test Gardens. The trip will then head south into California to take in the great Redwood trees, before turning east and stops in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wyoming, and Rapid City, S.D. for a Chuck Wagon Dinner. The trip will be 11 nights and 12 days, spanning Sept. 6 through the Sept. 17. Itineraries available.

Aug. 16: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum located in Chaska. We have planned a tram ride with a narrator and a flower pot lunch, with free time to walk around the flower gardens. There will be a stop at Penzy’s Spice Store before heading back for Austin. Trip departs at 8 a.m. with a scheduled return at 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 25: Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles. We will depart at 9 a.m. Fee is due this week.

September: Minnesota State Fair annual trip. We will be spending a longer day (as your have requested) with so much to do and see. We will depart at 7 a.m. and return by 7 p.m.

Sept. 18: “Hair Spray.” This show is filled with sparkling tunes, side-splitting humor, and high energy dances, and an inspiring story. A must see story. You have your choice of a 4:30 p.m. entrees with a 6:30 p.m. show. Sign-up is due by Aug. 22.

More details are available at the Mower County Senior Center. We are open to all ages and you need not be a member to join us. Our travel number is 507-438-3946.