Half an hour after leaving St. Cloud, Oscar starts asking about a snack. We decide to stop at Staples, MN, the town after Motley, MN (who names these places?!), which is about the mid-point between St. Cloud and Detroit Lakes. I initially looked for a park in town, but I notice a green patch just a few minutes off the highway, south of the town. We headed there and it was almost like a campground, with vaguely marked roads, picnic shelters, a playground, and a forest of towering pine trees. 🌲We were all alone. The trees were swaying in the wind and the rustling in their needles was deafening while also peaceful. We snacked and meandered. Delilah and Oscar both used the swings, Oscar learning how to pump to gain momentum. It was a perfect stopping point and an amazing find. Oscar kept asking “where is everybody?!” Indeed!