(Cherry and Spoon sculpture at Walker Art Center, Minneapolis)
This year we were able to make a two week trip to the stomping grounds of yesteryear's gone-by. The actual plans of where to go and when weren't really finalized till two weeks before, but we do tend to dawdle with the details. Our departure from home was delayed due to a carnival that I had to shoot, a once a year event for one of the small cities I cover for the paper I work at. We finally departed at about 3 pm, after our usual last-minute, frantic, get-out-of-town rituals. The trip was one we were used to, more recently I had been doing 3-4 hour trips for a freelance magazine gig that wasn't to well organized requiring numerous trips to accomplish the assignments. However, we did intend to stop along the way, grab a hotel, and do things a bit more leisurely. But a convention of Jehovah Witnesses had other plans for us, we learned this when we looked for a hotel room at around 11:30 pm in Bloomington, Illinois, only out find out that there was no room at the inn. So we had to continue the next three plus hours to Elkhorn Wisconsin. We arrived tired and weary about 3:30 in the morning.
(Dreams's of endless Illinois cornfields, time for a nap)
The following morning we got up when the sun wouldn't allow us any more sleep. Our plan was to spontaneously kidnap my mother and have her come along with us to the Twin Cities for a few days. However she had been more formally invited by Sheila's parents ending the surprise in the situation.
(Lounging at the Guthrie Theater)
Our visit was wonderful, I have to say that the Twin Cities is the best place we have ever lived, summers are spectacular there, but it was the winters that made us depart after only two years of living there in the mid nineties. We played enough card's during our visit, to warrant buying new decks of cards. Day-tripping through areas we used to know well, along with seeing numerous renovations to downtown Minneapolis occupied our daytimes. A trip to the 50's Grille was probably the culinary highlight, I see why Sheila used to frequent this place as a teenager. (think Steak and Shake or Fuddruckers, only authentic and much better food)
(Lake Minnetonka sunset, July 4th)
For Nostalgia sake, we went to the Walker Art Museum, which we visited during the infancy of our relationship. I took many photos there a long time ago with my girlfriend. I needed some to keep close, I would have to spend the summer of 95' back home in Waukesha without her. But this visit happened to coincide with our seventh wedding anniversary, and we visited a local Rose garden on the day to celebrate how our love has blossomed. Even getting some cherished photos to mark the occasion. The Minnesota leg of our vacation was fulfilling yet relaxed, we saw and did quite a bit, without the usual hectic-paced horse race that some of our trips have been in the past.
To top it off on our return crossing to the land of the Cheeseheads, we stopped at a wonderful restaurant. If you are ever on I-94 near Osseo Wisconsin, you must treat yourself to Norske Nook. My father-in-law has been praising this place for years, so we finally were traveling thru at the right time. I know understand why most car trips are scheduled around what time this place serves pie. It looks like a well-kept 70's diner/resteraunt with Swedish stylings. That day I enjoyed the best omelet I have ever had , a concoction of eggs/hashbrown/sausage/cheese wrapped in lefse bread. While my mother and wife also had wonderful meals, followed by some of the best homemade pies that a sweet tooth could imagine. I am making myself hungry just recounting the experience. I too shall arrange any trip through that area, to allow for a follow up visit.
(The family reunion)
(It's Five O' Clock Somewhere...)
Our Wisconsin leg was even more relaxed than any past visit. I contacted a cousin of mine and was able to arrange a small family reunion of maybe twenty people or so. Living as far away as we do, seeing extended family is scarce and much appreciated. It was an afternoon not unlike a thanksgiving meal involving plenty of food from everyone. Conversations and recollections of events, years and decades gone by, occasionally reflecting on the charisma of two family patriarch's that were only here in spirit (my father, and a dear uncle). I am certain they would be proud the family is still able to come together, even if for only an afternoon. Which leads me to an idea, but I will visit that later. Sheila and I were able to maintain our party persona, "arrive early, leave late".
"The Great Spaghetti Wars "
A backyard game of football with nephew's, more card games, cookouts, shopping and a thorough photo shoot of all six of my brother's kids rounded out the few remaining days. I wish one day that these visits could go longer, we'll have to wait and see what the future holds. Goodbye's during these family visits have never been easy, but within the last year or two family visits have been more frequent. Even resulting in a trip to Asheville with our parents last April. This blog is actually a result of the slight disconnect that many miles can cause. Hopefully it will be entertaining and be more informative than a phone call.
(My brother, Andy, thinks he is going to win, wrong again)
(Someone tries to stack the deck)
The final leg of our trip was in Cincinnati, visiting Sheila's sister and family. The obvious thing was, the boys have been growing like weeds in my yard. Both Colin (our godson) and Griffin are boys now, not the toddlers/babies that we remembered from the last visit which was too long ago. Hopefully a few three-day weekend trips will allow us more visits. Along with this Thanksgiving which is still open for possibilities.
(Colin being as colorful as the crayons he holds)
(Griffin lounges after a day at the pool)
We enjoyed our time in each destination, and are thankful we have the flexibility in our careers to make a trip like this.
Two people
Two weeks
Three major cities
Dozens of family members
Twenty-five hundred miles
PRICELESS
