In the month of October, 2009, Rick, Dave and I flew to Wisconsin/Minnesota for a long weekend (Thursday thru Monday). Words cannot capture the magic of that weekend and maybe the photos below can help (ancient Chinese proverb: "A picture is worth a thousand words"):
Our flight was about 3 to 4 hours late because of delays thru Denver. However, this picture is from the drive to Jim's house in White Bear Lake...we took the slow route so I could show Rick and Dave the beautiful houses and architecture of Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN.
This picture is of Rick and Dave in front of the James Hill house in St. Paul. Hill founded what was the Norther Pacific Railroad (?) and hence had the money to build the huge house.
Jim and Mary Ann made such a remarkable feast for that first evening in St. Paul. Here is a picture of the dessert table. Sandra and Rod eventually joined us...along with Quin and Lydia...and we ate well.
Quin and Lydia in their jammies and celebrating their UJ's arrival...except you can see from their faces they are not to certain about that old man. LOL
Apple tasting, apple cider tasting, wine tasting at Aamodts Apple Orchards in Stillwater, MN. BTW, thanks, Rick, for making this a special picture. LOL
UJ with his great nephews & nieces: Quin, PJ, Chloe, and Lydia.
Here are Rick and Dave along with Rod (the driver) bravely heading off to what has become "The Infamous Mule Ride." I believe the term "Mommy" was much overused in the screams from that night! To this day, every time I look at this picture I start to smile.
A sudden moment of sheer joy and being...just being and having fun...and knowing the dishes were almost done. LOL
Sadly and all too soon, we were heading down the driveway to return the rental car and to fly home. I cannot sleep on a plane but I can personally say I slept the whole way back to SFO. Is that not a perfect indication of a good time? Sheer exhaustion. Rick said to me that he wished my family was his family...the nice thing is that indeed my family is his family.
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