Up in Smoke

Previously: They stopped at Silverthorn’s Café to get some travel-supplies where they found Mac and Boomer.

“Where are you ladies off to?” Mac asked

“We are on the road to Cloquet.” 

“Interesting town,” said Boomer, “A lot of history there.”

 “There is an interesting gas station there,” Mac nodded, “Take some pictures.”

“How long will you be gone?” Boomer asked.

“Only a few days, Sandra said, “I hate leaving Jimmie to do all the work but there are some things I need to come to terms with.”

Season Eleven—Adventure 1—Family Ties—Episode 3… “Oh yes,” Boomer said, “I forgot about that gas station. The R.W. Lindholm Service Station and was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1958.  Cloquet is also known as a Cooperative place. In 1910 there were two Cooperative’s that did about 35% of the business in town. Have a safe trip.”

“We will take pictures and see you when we return, Buttons doesn’t even care that she is staying home; she is very tired.” said Chris on their way out the door.

The girls were in high spirits driving towards Duluth, singing at the top of their lungs to Waylon and Willie and the Boys. 

Traffic was light and they made good time; pulling into Cloquet just as the sun was going down where they stopped briefly in front of the Northeastern Hotel in downtown Cloquet, before heading out to the Golden Gate Motel which offered a free shuttle out to the Black Bear Casino—just in case they had a drink or two, better to not be driving. The buffet there was very good and they tried their luck at a few slots.

In front of the Northwestern Hotel

Chris and Sarah were pleased to see Sandra relax and have a little fun. 

All in all, the road trip was turning out well and gave the girls a chance to bond even more. Girl friendships were important and Sarah believed Sandra had not had much of it in her life.

The next morning they headed down the two lane road toward the house that had been Sandra’s prison.  As they passed the farm stand, where Mandy sold her fresh fruits and vegetables, Sandra was surprised that the girl was not there.

They pulled down the driveway where the house once stood.  Parking the car the girls just stared at the shell of a house. 

There stood a charred mess.

“My goodness Sandra, you were so lucky to get out of there alive,” Chris said.

“My goodness Sandra, you were so lucky to get out of there alive.”

To be continued…