Driftless Diggings

Foggy confluence of the Wisconsin & Mississippi Rivers

One region that has always been special to me surrounds the Upper Mississippi River through bits of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. It's the Driftless Zone. Up, down and across its many coulees and ridge lines are many small towns, scenic views, and self-reliant folks. There are big city ex-pats, blue collar intellectuals, plenty of avid outdoor-enthusiasts, and plenty of rednecks to go around. It's a healthy dose of heartland America with little in the way of racial diversity but enough socially constructed differences to keep the Minnesotans and the Wisconsinites busy complaining about each other for decades. And let's not forget the FIBS Let's just not talk about the FIBS.

A blog I ran across through work today, Digging in the Driftless, highlights one family's efforts to carve out a little Driftlessness of their own. They work in the forest products sector and seem to have a nice creative vision. I look forward to checking in on their continued progress over time. Their love of 'place' is obvious and one I share.

Another blog that highlights the same area but from a culinary angle is Driftless Appetite. For anyone interested in the varied flavors wafting their way up and down the Great River Road (and points east and west), I recommend it.

As I come across other bloggers focused on this area I will highlight them as well. Feel free to make suggestions!