38 to 40: I Grew Up In A VERY Small Town

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Just in case you think I am exaggerating…

I grew up knowing the meaning of small town living for sure! My childhood was something right out of Huck Finn, complete with the mighty Mississippi. Here’s the view from our house. (This is literally across the one road.)

Yes! The Mississippi River really IS that big! Across the river what you see would be Iowa!

Here is the house I grew up in, now converted to the Mississippi Humble Bush Bed & Breakfast. (No longer owned by my family)

The small town of Ferryville is located between Prairie du Chein and La Crosse, WI. It consisted of the river, the railroad tracks, one road with homes on both sides and the bluffs behind the houses. Ah…what trouble could a little girl get into on her own here on a hot summers day!

As a child, small town life was great! I had so much freedom in this little town.  A typical summer day would have me out of the house with bare feet on my bike pedals…pigtails flying. My little world was my oyster! I’d head down to the river to my own private little beach for fishing or floating on an inner tube. (In the winter I would ice skate.)

Pics of my sisters and me fishing with our dad – for fun! 😉

I would go for long walks along the railroad tracks…

It was here that I learned to dream…to have a bigger vision.  I would climb the hills to the top and sit for hours, looking across the river. I can remember thinking about everything else that was out beyond what I could see. I was a dreamer and a traveler even at that young age.  I don’t get back to my home town often any more. Here is the most recent picture taken last year when I did go back for my Grandmother’s funeral.

As I grew older I became more restless and my surroundings lost their charm for me. I wanted to be closer to friends and activities. I wanted to explore a bit more! I did go to a boarding school for one semester of High School…more on that later! As an adult, my nanny career allowed me the opportunity to live on both coasts of the U.S. (CT/NY and CA) I’ve explored Europe and a few other places. I have discovered that I do LOVE to travel! I always DO seem to end up living by the water, whether it is the Ocean or the beautiful Lake Michigan where I currently reside.

Each time I return to Ferryville as an adult, I find a little stirring in my heart for this little town. I recognize the quietness as a blessing and a shelter of sorts. I know that this environment did play a part in shaping who I am today and for that I am thankful.

Things I Learned from Living in a Small Town:

• I learned to love nature and being outside (would I ever be able to NOT live near water?)
• I learned to be creative
• I learned that people are basically good and trustworthy
• I learned the value of spending time with my family
• I learned that my siblings were my most fun friends
• I learned how to be a young entrepreneur
• I learned that I liked being by myself
• I learned to dream…I learned to take risks!

I grew up in a small town and I would not have had it any other way! 😉