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"  Echoing the merry current of the St. Croix River, which flows between Minnesota and Wisconsin, Stillwater, Minn., resident Elizabeth Calderone and editor-at-large Jane Dagmi cut a joyful path--shopping and eating their way through Stillwater and Hudson, Wisc. These vibrant towns, dotted with the mansions of former lumber barons, flourished during the mid-19th-century lumber boom, then went bust when the Midwest&amp;#039;s forests were depleted. Now, more than a century later, pleasure seekers from the Twin Cities, just 30 minutes to the west, daytrip here to get their fix of charm. Main Street in Stillwater and Second Street in Hudson are filled with independent shops. Stillwater, which prides itself on its stash of formerly owned treasures, has 15-plus antiques stores. Gary Goodman at St. Croix Antiquarian Booksellers says the town has nearly a half-million used, rare, and out-of-print books. Antique lighting is another specialty. Elizabeth frequented Let There Be Light for vintage lighting when restoring her 1903 Victorian in Stillwater. Hudson also has antiques, but don&amp;#039;t miss the smattering of hip clothing boutiques mixed in. Elizabeth calls it a &amp;quot;small town with big ideas.&amp;quot;  Let&amp;#039;s Go! St. Croix River Valley   PLANNING YOUR TRIP  GETTING THERE: Fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, then rent a car. Hudson is 35 miles to the east; Stillwater is approximately 40.  SWEET DREAMS: In Stillwater, the historic Lowell Inn&amp;#039;s grand, Old World decor--fabric-covered walls, black-and-white-checked floors, and giant crystal chandeliers--won our hearts. The rooms, renovated with antiques and quirky finds, are all different; (651) 439-1100; lowellinn.com. Next time, we&amp;#039;ll try the very Victorian Phipps Inn, an elegant B&amp;amp;amp;B in Hudson; (888) 865-9388; phippsinn.com. There are also affordable chain motels nearby.  FOOD: In neighboring Bayport, Elizabeth fawns over the cinnamon rolls from Bread Art (651-351-1475). Elizabeth also insisted we sample Stillwater&amp;#039;s German heritage--sauerbraten, dumplings, and spaetzle--at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter (651-439-7128) and the margaritas at Nacho Mama&amp;#039;s (651-439-9544). For a late-afternoon sugar boost, try the sweets at Tremblay&amp;#039;s (651-430-0087) or a latte at Starbucks. In Hudson, try the no-nonsense triple-decker turkey club at Frankie&amp;#039;s Deli (715-377-0297) for lunch, then hit Knoke&amp;#039;s (715-381-9866) for chocolate truffles. For dinner, Lisa Shortridge, the owner of La Rue Marche, votes for Pier 500, which overlooks the river. She also likes Twisted, which offers icy martinis, appetizers, and live music (715-386-1800).  PLAN AHEAD: On the second Thursday of each month, Hudson celebrates Girls&amp;#039; Night Out. It&amp;#039;s a perfect reason to play Cinderella at La Rue Marche (715-385-1969), to try on jeans at Lavender Thymes (715-386-3866), or to take a twirl in an old prom frock at Abigail Page Antiques (715-381-1505). Later, relax while sipping a glass of pinot noir at The Nova (715-386-5333). TOO MUCH TO CARRY?: No worries. Mail your loot from the Wrap-N-Ship (651-439-0156) located in Stillwater&amp;#039;s Maple Island Hardware on Main Street. TO LEARN MORE: about Stillwater, call (651) 439-4001 or visit ilovestillwater.com. For more on Hudson, call (800) 657-6775 or access hudsonwi.org.  View the photo gallery of GIRLFRIENDS GETAWAY. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/shopping/a753/girlfriends-getaway-antiques-1106/>