Goodbye Minnesota.

Made it to Moose Lake SP early Saturday afternoon. Cloudy and cool just how we like it.  

Sunday we headed for my sister’s place in Garrison MN which is near Lake Mille Lacs. Since it was a rainy day we spent the afternoon playing Bingo at the local VFW. Another rigged game. We got nothing!  But it’s Father’s Day so wishing all the dads out there best wishes. 

Monday was cool and clear so we thought golf was a good idea after getting all the laundry in camper done. Barbara and I played 9 holes and of course she beat me but I had lots of excuses. Borrowed clubs, no glove, wrong tees, etc.

Tuesday we headed to Ted and Kali’s to spend time with them and Gary’s folks before we head west. Thursday we headed to see my sister and brother for lunch and a movie and to say goodbye for now.  

Friday was a long day thru South Dakota.  We stopped for lunch on the lake in Balaton MN. Our new daughter in law has family here and we’ve never been so we stopped. Then we saw the largest pheasant in the world in Huron SD. Amazing.  

We made it to Lake Louise SP near Miller SD.  Lots of young families and kids. Lots of kid friendly things to do. We have no kids so we left and headed to Custer SD.

Still in Minnesota

Sunday was so windy at our campsite we left. Ryan is one of Ted’s best buddies so we headed to see his and his wife Joy’s new home in St. Michael.   They moved in about 6 months ago so we celebrated with pizza and beer.  Ted and Kali just returned from their honeymoon so they showed up too.

Monday and Tuesday our two grandsons came to camp with us.  Much nicer weather so we were able to play down by the river, have a campfire, play cards, and spend time together.  We had a wonderful day boating and fishing at Colleen and Tim’s Sugar Lake place on Tuesday followed by burgers and all the fixings. The boys fished, used the paddle boat and loved the tree swing into the lake.  Perfect lake day.

Wednesday we said goodbye to the Mississippi River and Bear, the grandkids and Leigh.  Moving up to Cascade River State Park near Lutsen MN.  Cascade River SP is right next to Lake Superior.  Waterfalls run thru the park and pictures do not do justice to their beauty. We headed to Grand Marias after morning hiking.  We have driven by the town but never stopped before. OMG.  Are we in Alaska or British Columbia?  It’s like we stepped into a travel brochure. Of course we checked out the local brewery. 

Friday was very windy. Our plans to go on the Lutsen  Mountain gondola and alpine slide had to be postponed for another time. Swinging in a gondola in 30 mph wind not happening.  We spent the morning hiking in Temperance River SP instead and so glad we did.

Bear Break in and More

 Still so hot. I hate to be a broken record but WTF?   Seriously this stinks. When you think Minnesota you don’t think heat wave. Can I ever catch a break?

Bear is a huge brown lab who lives next to our campground.  He is a gentle giant who gives Dede the barking opportunity she loves.  Poor Bear.  He just wants a girlfriend but Dede is playing hard to get.  He came over wet and stinky from his river swim and since Gary left the car doors open he decided he wanted to go cruising. Car is now wet and stinky.  Gary emptied the febreeze spray on the seat. Still stinks but that may be cause I sit there.

Wednesday night we had a Taco Tuesday with Josh (Jan and Rudy son) and his little family, Kayla and Harvey.  Harvey is so cute, kinda naughty and cutting teeth.  Harvey reminds me of why I was always so tired when the kids were little.

Friday was a great birthday for me. I met up with my central Minnesota peeps who are just the best. We were at the restaurant 3 hours and didn’t want to leave. Put Anne, Doris, Jen, Jill and me in a room together and it’s nothing but trouble. Good trouble. 

Then we met up with Mark and Denise for a good old fashioned meat raffle. Obviously the thing was rigged.  We won nothing.  But we had a very fun time trying.

Saturday we had a picnic with Gary’s brother Bruce and his wife Julie.  The afternoon was windy and sunny.  We had a great visit.  Then we checked out Leigh’s art show in St. Cloud.  The city does a drive by art show which encourages local artists to display their work and we were so happy to be to finally see it.

Post Wedding We Made It!

On Saturday June 5th Ted and Kali finally got married.  Last year the wedding was postponed due to COVID-19. This year we dealt with record heat.   The weather in the beginning of June can be anywhere between freezing and record heat.  We were hoping for something in between. 

We made it to Northfield Minnesota on June 4th for the grooms dinner which was provided by Kali’s cousin who loves to fish. He caught, cooked and fed about 50 people. That is a lot of fish.

Saturday was a long day of getting ready for my daughter and me...press on nails, updos, makeup, formal dresses, pictures, wedding vows outside in the heat, and then the dinner, speeches, and dance.  We stayed to the end to help with cleanup and as of Monday afternoon I am still exhausted.  

Ted and Kali left for their honeymoon first thing this am and we left for Clearwater Minnesota to continue our trip.  We have a private campground on the Mississippi River.   It’s so hot and the river is down.  

Tuesday we stopped to see our old neighbor Kim. We lived next to their farm for about 7 years and Kim never failed to share her farm produce with us. 

We were looking so forward to enjoying cool weather here but Minnesota is in the middle of 90 degree heat wave lasting longer than any other time in history. Good timing. 

Memorial Weekend and Beyond

First of all thank you to all our military here and gone.  That’s what it’s all about. 

Friday we had a nice backyard visit with Gary’s mom and dad, brother and sister-in-law.  The afternoon was cool but sunny.

Saturday is one week til the big day.  Gary worked on shelving in the camper.  Ted did a garden box and we ended up at the neighborhood bar for pizza and beer.  

This week Minnesota will be gradually getting hotter with an expected high of 93 for the wedding day.  This may be a record breaker and very unexpected.   Florida may be cooler than here.  

On June 2nd I finally got on the golf course with my Minnesota bestie Jan.   It was hot and since I had to borrow clubs I had a built in excuse. Apparently the holes in Minnesota are a little larger.  I may have to suggest a change at our course in Florida.  

Projects here are slowing down as we focus on wedding day preparations. A lot got done. We’ve had a perfect camping spot for a few weeks but it’s time.