One of these things is not like the other.

After dropping Price off at day care this morning, I headed to the Y for my Monday step aerobics class. The roads were busy...at 7:45, trains are coming through and people are dropping their kids off at school. In the sea of Fords and Dodges and Toyotas, I spotted a car that looked rather out of place in humble Elk River:



A Maserati Gran Turismo coupe. Dark green, and a gorgeous car. Retail price for a 2009 model: $110,000.

I wondered what the hell a car like that was doing in downtown Elk River.

Elk River has blue collar roots. And even though many Twin Citians have relocated here over the last decade (myself included), this town isn't a hotbed of corporate activity. In fact, this past year Elk River lost the headquarters of one of its major businesses to Maple Grove because Elk River, with all of its car dealerships, farms, and industrial parks, doesn't project the image the company was looking for. In fact, they said and I quote, "The type of people that we need to attract want addresses like Edina and Minnetonka, not Elk River." Ouch.

Indeed, there aren't too many high rollers around here that would drive a Maserati. Most of our "rich" folks drive your standard Beemers and Mercedes.

The lady driving the Maserati headed west on Hwy 10, and I wish I knew where she was going. She looked like she belonged in Edina, DT Mpls, or outside Minnesota altogether. New York or L.A., perhaps.

But you know, I like this town. I wear my M & S Exteriors hoodie and feel perfectly at home here. I know, I used to make fun of people who wore logo gear from manufacturers, construction companies, and other blue-collar companies -- but now I am one of those people and am proud!

I like my house in the boonies. Elk River has pretty much everything I need...I don't make it into the Cities that often anymore. I like its proximity to major highways and I like how much easier it is to get to the cabin from here. The schools are good. The people are good. And if someone driving a Maserati feels compelled to drive through, I say welcome!