Sorry I Missed You!

"It's time for me to wander some more," I said to Snow Man. "I haven't been here before!" I started to look around a bit. It was a tad warmer today and it seemed to make Snow Man a little quiet. "Thank you for your great company," I said to Snow Man and started my walk around town. That's another giant for my adventure list!

I really wandered all over today, doubling back and going in circles. I like this town! Of course, because giant Snow Man lives here, but I also found this funny house just for clocks!

I stood on a corner in this neighborhood, waiting to cross the street. "Hmm," I said to myself as I stood on the corner, looking at stoops. I saw a lady leave the house on the corner and I had such warm, happy feelings all of a sudden. Not like those I felt while meeting someone new, but instead because of something familiar. But I couldn't quite place exactly what was so familiar. I looked and thought and thought and looked and finally I remembered! But it was too late. The lady had already driven away.

"That was the lady who rescued me from that dusty store shelf!" And with that I ran to her stoop, which is quite nice by the way, and made sure to leave her a note before I continued with my adventures.

A Friendly Man Made Of Snow!

Now that snow has fallen on the ground everything is so quiet along my walks! It's fun to follow all the tracks that have been invisible to me until now.

I began following a long skinny trail and as I kept following, the trail kept getting wider and wider. Soon I couldn't seen the edges of the trail, and whoever made the trail was so heavy that they sunk right down to the grass! I thought I must be on the trail of another giant. My travels have been full of them so far!

I was soon distracted from the widening trail by a strange black shape high up in the sky. It almost looked like a kind of hat the more I looked at it. Then I noticed a long red stripe waving in the the wind. The ground, the sky, and everything in between was the color of snow. I got closer and closer to those strange shapes in the sky and all of a sudden I bumped right into a pile of snow. I said, "Oof!" But it didn't sound like me! I looked around to see where the other sound could have come from, but I didn't see anything but snow all around!

"What are you looking for little gnome?" said someone in a friendly voice.

I wasn't sure where to look when I spoke, but I replied, "I'm looking for who said 'Oof' at the same time I did, when I ran into this hill of snow."

"That was me, " said the friendly voice.

"Who?" I said, again, not knowing where to look.

"Me," said the voice. "Look up."

I looked up and saw only snow. I backed up from the snow hill while looking up and found that I had been standing under the hat and red stripe. Only I found that the red stripe was actually a scarf around the neck of a giant man made of snow!

"Oh! Hello! You must be the one who made this trail I've been following," I said.

"Yes, that is my trail! I'm so glad you followed it. Every winter I come back to this very spot and you're my first visitor since it snowed!"

I decided to stay with Snow Man for a while. We talked about my adventures, hats, and all things winter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A happy day today, even though there was noticeably more traffic buzzing around. So much in fact that I couldn't get to any stoops because driveways and streets were filled with parked cars. I wondered and wondered what was going on today until I passed by a helpful lady. She was so soft spoken that after the third time I asked politely for her to repeat herself, she actually hoisted me up in her hand and said, "Happy Thanksgiving!"

"Oh! Why Happy Thanksgiving to you too!" I said. I explained that I was searching for adventure and new stoops to try out and that I was wondering why I couldn't get to any stoops today because conditions were so crowded. "Thank you for helping me find out why everyone else is out and about today. I'm away from my home right now, so I'm thankful to have met such a helpful new friend!"

"It was nice to meet you too," she said. "Let me set you down again so you can carry on with your adventures!" And off I was to do what I do best. Well, second best. I think I guard stoops first best.

Walking and walking on a cloudy day wasn't a bit discouraging. In fact, I was too distracted to worry about a gray sky! I saw a sign that reminded me of the gnome hostel, The Happy Gnome, but this particular spot was not an overnight resting spot for gnomes. I wonder what I would look like up on a sign!

I kept walking and wondering what all the gnomes at the gnome hostel were doing today to celebrate Thanksgiving. And then I started to wonder how they celebrated on Sesame Street, what giant cow and giant bear and giant rooster were doing, and if Mr. Little Guy got my letter. In the not too far distance I saw another person who looked a little like the lady I had met just a while ago. "Happy Thanksgiving!" I said to the man. "Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, little fellow!" And he and I shared in a big, friendly salute. "I'm on an adventure. I'm traveling in a direct line east from a strange museum in Austin."

"You're in for a nice surprise then, I think. If you keep on as you are, there is going to be a site that will stop you in your tracks I bet!" After a final salute, I parted with the tall friendly man. He had gotten me so excited to continue on my way that I was walking quite fast. It wasn't long when I saw what he must have been talking about. A gorgeous windmill. I was in awe for a bit and I suddenly forgot everything I had been wondering about. This windmill was exactly the same colors as me! Boy, I've never thought about guarding a windmill before. I think I'll give it a try today!

Camel Walk

After leaving that confusing SPAM building I realized how much I've been wandering ever since I've been out and about. I don't think I've made a straight line in my path once during my entire journey. This is a fine way to travel of course, but I decided it might be fun to journey as straight a line as possible, just to see what happens. So off I went, in exactly a straight line east from the museum in Austin, Minnesota.

I hadn't been walking too long when I thought I heard giggling. But then the wind came up again, as it did frequently on this day, and I figured it was my imagination. Just a few steps further though I heard it again, for sure this time, and then again and again. I kept turning around, but nothing was there! Finally I was quicker than the gigglers and I saw a short curly tail dart behind a fence-post. "I see you back there!" I shouted in a friendly voice. Then I hid behind a pine tree and thought I'd join in on the game. Again I heard laughing and then one-by-one I saw three wiggly snouts appear from behind a very big fence post. And then three big faces. And then three stout, wiggling bodies. Sure enough, there were three curly tails. They looked around for me and after a second I started to laugh, too. I jumped out from behind my tree.

"Hi Pigs!" I shouted and began to laugh. Their bodies all turned, startled and stiff, and the black and white pig's big floppy ears went straight up. Then they turned and looked at some giant, bumpy animals far off in the field. We walked closer to each other.

"Shh," said one of the black pigs. The other two were stifling their chuckles. "We don't want to cause trouble sharing the pasture with the camels, so we've managed to convince the them that we're camels, too! Don't mention the word pig while they're near," he said the word pig in a whisper. Then the two little black pigs and the little black and white pig with the large floppy ears darted away, laughing some more. "If you want to meet more of us," one of the pigs turned and shouted. "We have some relatives living not too far from here if you travel in exactly a straight line east! Our ancestors discovered something spectacular in Harmony!" They told me to turn my back and I would see something else amazing in the meanwhile. I turned my back from them as they ran far into the field behind me. I wondered who would be waiting for me in the next town, pigs or those bumpy creatures they motioned to in the field. What a silly game they were playing.

I stood looking in the distance for a few minutes and still hadn't seen anything. Boy, was my anticipation growing! And boy were those pigs fun! Maybe they were beginning another game to play. Then I heard slow heavy steps behind me and I jumped and turned around as fast as I could, expecting to see little fun-loving pigs.

"Ah!"

I don't think I've ever been so startled! All I saw when I turned were giant brown, knobby knees! Giant! Now I've met plenty of giants on my journey, but none of them have sneaked up on me. "I'm so sorry, sir," I said as soon as I could. "I wasn't expecting to see three huge handsome creatures like you! Please excuse me!" The three of them had started chuckling from deep within their giant bellies before I finished my sentence.

"We're camels," one of them explained. "And I don't believe we've seen such a little fellow like you before either!"

"I'm Aaron's Lawn Gnome. I'm a stoop gnome and right now I'm traveling and having adventures." They became so excited by the idea of such a little fellow going on such a big journey that they each gave me a kiss on my cheek. "Wow, I've certainly never been kissed by a camel before! It's really an honor and a great story to add to my list of adventures!"

"Shh," said the camels all at once. "We don't want to cause trouble sharing the pasture with the pigs, so we've managed to convince them that we're pigs, too!" And the camels all motioned with their large heads toward the little pigs coming closer to us. "So be sure not to mention the word camel while they're near." As they explained this to me, they hushed their volume when saying the word camel.

All of us ran and jumped and played games and laughed for a while during that blustery day. And then I remembered that there were more adventures for me in exactly a straight line east and shouted good-bye to them again and again. From a good length away, I said good-bye for one last time; I was so exhilarated from meeting such great new friends. But I forgot my pacts between the pigs and the camels and shouted, "Good-bye pigs! Good-bye Camels!" I gave them the biggest salute I could and immediately hoped I hadn't just caused too much trouble as I headed my way toward a town called Harmony. But they didn't seem to notice anything odd as they wiggled their tails back at me.

I've Got Gnomes In My Eyes

It was such a nice day for traveling today! Crisp yes, but perfect for a walking fellow like me. I must have gnomes on my brain because I seem to be seeing them everywhere, even if upon a second glance the gnome turns out to be something else completely. Like a fire hydrant. I'm so used to making friends along my way, maybe my brain is playing tricks on me because I haven't met anyone lately! Silly me.

Too Big, Too Little, Just Right

I reminisced about all of my amazing adventures while I enjoyed my Apfelkorn at the Black Forest Inn. I can't believe all of the sights I've seen and how many new friends I've made in just only a few weeks! Then my thoughts turned to the changing weather, how it's getting a little colder each day, and about Moose and Bear living in the woods. The wild berries we've all been sharing are already getting scarce. It's not like Moose and Bear can just walk into a restaurant as easily as I can. If I had a backpack to fill with supplies I won't have to take berries from a less fortunate creature! I also won't have to worry about if there will be food where I decide to take breaks.

I think Pack Gnome weaved his own basket pack. I'm afraid I do not have the required dexterousness to weave a basket. I'm better at chopping things.

Thinking about this got me excited to get on my way again. I wandered for quite a while after leaving The Black Forest and hadn't run in to even one other creature along my way. It was exhilarating to rely on my skills alone! It seems I've been honing my wandering skills ever since that first night my stone under my boots left Aaron's stoop, but today was the first chance I've had to put them to the test. My list of experiences sure keeps growing.

I went with my instincts and kept my chin up. And after just a little while longer, I saw a yellow glow in the sky and decided I should see what it was. The closer I got the better I could see what I was walking toward. Well, I could tell that it was a big blue building anyway; I didn't, however, know what an IKEA was. It seemed friendly enough anyway, so I decided to find out exactly what this IKEA was.

It turns out that IKEA was exactly what I needed! What a testament to my growing wandering skills! Upon entering, I saw the food area first and was excited to see such bright, shiny options! Gnome-sized delicacies like little cookies and boxes of Lingonberry juice. Oh! And Elderflower juice! Then I smelled meatballs. I remembered smelling them in Engebretson's, but had the lutefisk instead. Now was my chance to try meatballs! I couldn't resist; I ate an entire plate of them. Meatballs are delicious and a perfect sized food for a gnome.

I found myself getting distracted looking at all of the food and decided to find a pack before I continue in the food store. I must find a pack to put some of these goodies in for the rest of my travels!

So this little gnome went for a walk in the big IKEA building. I continued past bright little rooms filled with bright-colored objects. I walked past big beds, medium beds, and little beds. When soon I found a room with many different bins brimming over with packs! I went over to the first bin and pulled out a pack the color of my shirt. "This pack is much too big," I said as I began to climb my way out. I went to another bin. I pulled out a pack that my hatchet wouldn't even fit in. "This pack is much, much too small," I said. When I finally pulled my hand out of the small handle, I became distracted by a beautiful red pack in the next bin. I tried on this red pack; it was red just like my hat. "This one is just right," I said, smiling. Then I walked quickly back to the food store and filled my new pack with delicious goodies to keep my belly full and warm for the rest of the adventures I was sure to have very soon!

Ich Bin Ein New Ulmer

The gnomes at the gnome hostel started talking about stoops. "You've already been to the Runestone and Sesame Street?" they all asked me, amazed. They wondered why I kept moving on, so I pointed them to my blog my blog while I sat and enjoyed some Apfelkorn. All of the gnomes nodded their heads and let out a collective, "Yup," when they finished reading. Turns out my thirst for adventure isn't such a unique story among gnomes! They all started suggesting other places to visit, but I got excited about one place in particular. The gnome who suggested I get a pack told me I would like a town called New Ulm. "There are lots of extravagant stoops in New Ulm. And there is something downtown that I think you'll really enjoy, but I'm not going to tell you what it is. It'll be a surprise. There are even a couple of gnomes I know who live in New Ulm. If you visit, say hello from me!"

The very next day I said goodbye to all of my new friends. They all waved good bye and wished me luck on my newest adventure. After a long walk that took almost the entire day, I was greeted into New Ulm by a giant fellow who manned his post atop a giant gazebo. "Hello up there!" I yelled as politely as I could. "Could you point me into town?" He said hello to me and introduced himself. "Hi! I am Herman The German! Welcome! To New Ulm!" and he pointed his sword in the direction over the hill. I continued walking and found myself at the top of a hill where there was a view of the fall colors in the city of New Ulm.

I walked right into town, first to say hello to the gnomes for my friend back at the hostel. They were store guards! They were so happy to hear from their friend that they did a little dance and jumped about. "Walk around! Walk around! There is so much to see -- especially if you're looking for stoops!" Those energetic fellows got me excited to explore the town! And they weren't kidding about the stoops! It was strange in New Ulm -- there was a roof guarded by a giant green and gold bird. And I stood on a cozy stoop between two lions! There were castles to guard! It felt good standing in front of such grand buildings. I didn't think anything could tear me away from trying these magnificent stoops. If you look very closely, you can see me and my tall red hat on the stoop in the photo of the striped building above!

Then the time was 3 o' clock. And my attention dramatically shifted, against my will, from my stoop adventure.

I heard miraculous bells! And I knew it was the surprise my gnome friend had hinted about.

The Room Past Area 51

Once again my belly was rumbling. I spent the whole day at the Runestone Museum in Alexandria, MN and didn't think to eat once! I didn't know what I was in the mood to eat, so I wandered and wandered until I found something that my belly and I could agree on. In the middle of a parking lot I had that sneaky suspicion once again that I was being stared at! Sure enough I looked up to see this bizarre shivering creature with a head too small for its big black eyes. It wouldn't say hello to me, but it wasn't mean either. We just stared at each other for a moment. I turned around to see a building covered in planets and similar creatures to the one I was just looking at! The sign on the building said Space Aliens Grill and Bar. So that creature must be a space alien! A naughty one at that. After all, it was sent out to sit in that car (a space ship in disguise?) all alone.

I sat in a booth and read the Galactic Gazette. Space culture sure is focused on food! The news was all about salads, something called Moo Juice and Meteor Bites. I was reading about something called a Space Disk when a lady stopped at my booth. I asked her about the Space Disk and she said she would bring one to me. It tasted just like melted cheese! When I was finished eating I was drawn into another room because there were loud beeping noises and bright blinking lights coming out of it. I hopped down out of my booth, passed by a door labeled Area 51, and entered into another world. Whatever ingredients were in that Space Disk must have altered something in my body because I suddenly became so full of energy!