In the middle of June I escorted a group tour to southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. This group was all avid gardeners, and I had interesting private gardens and retail garden centers planned for stops along the way. Our second night out we were to stay in Decorah, Iowa. I received a call from the convention and visitor bureau saying we would not be able to get into Decorah because of the severe flooding in that area.

All of a sudden I had 40-plus people who needed a place to eat and sleep on Day 2 of our trip and no place to go. We were headed to Albert Lea on Day 3 to see some private and public gardens. Susie Peterson, executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, had been my contact person. She had been very helpful in setting up the time we would spend in Albert Lea.

I called her in a bit of a panic telling her my dilemma. Within an hour she had located a place for us to stay that night in Albert Lea, found a caterer to serve us dinner and located another garden and your county courthouse to fill in the time on Day 2. My group agreed that Plan B for our trip was probably even better than the original plan, thanks to Susie.

We found your community to very welcoming and friendly. We also realized there is so much more to Albert Lea than what is seen as you whiz by on the freeway! We had a wonderful time and plan to return again.

Thanks to Susie for being such a great help when I needed her expert assistance. To all of you “Albert Lea-ites,” be proud of your community. It’s a real treasure.

Franci Nelson

tour coordinator

Firstworld Travel

Mora