My three besties from the LHS Class of 1981 and I celebrated turning 59 with a 24-hour “Luverne Experience” over Buffalo Days.
Our adventure began at noon Friday with the renting of electric bikes from the Luverne Aquatics Center.
There were a few glitches. One battery was dead. Two batteries occasionally shorted out. The highlight was the collapsing seat which left one of us “riding like a circus monkey” for a portion of the ride.
But, just like we did in high school, we laughed so hard we cried, and the biking challenges became part of the adventure. (Disclaimer, staff
members at the Aquatics Center were more than gracious and did their very best to help us have a great E-biking experience.)
After the bike challenges were sorted out, we did a progress survey of Luverne. From the Aquatics Center, east on Ashby Trail to the new campground, then back and south past the new apartment buildings by the fair grounds, then west to the Minnesota National Guard Armory building, to The Lake and back we rode bike and observed, “There’s a lot going on here.”
We broke up the ride with a stop at Take 16.
Next, we had pre-Cruise-In hors d’oeuvres by our friend’s Sprinter van on the lawn near Maxwell Apartments.
As we laughed and talked and nibbled, a local home owner arrived with four pieces of Better Than (Something) cake.
“I saw you girls sitting out here and thought you might like some cake. I had a few extra pieces.”
(Yes, this is the kind of community where people randomly share plates of homemade cake.)
Next we hit the Cruise-In. It was a little unsettling to see the 1963 car models called “old.” Since the four of us are all 1963 models, we have chosen to be called “vintage.”
Then it was back to Take 16 for food, music and, of course, really good craft beer. (I had a coupon!)
The slumber party at my house started at 11 and ended at 12:30, which was not quite like the old days when we’d wait for the sun to come up before going to bed.
At the 10 a.m. parade, we helped a small child fill his bag with candy before heading off to the Arts Festival on Court House Square.
It’s hard to believe we four friends have spent 59 years having a “Luverne Experience.”
Last weekend was a great start to our 60th.