Trips between CO and MN

On the way to Minnesota, we stayed at the Fairfield Marriott in Lincoln, NE. Then, on the way home we camped at Mormon Island State Recreation Center near Grand Island, Nebraska. Camping instead of hoteling saved us about the cost of one tank of gas, which is considerable at this time. Mormon Island is a great location for travelers, just off of I-80 at exit 340 North (see photo below). People seemed especially helpful and friendly. We felt really lucky to avoid the thunderstorms in the distance. Watching fireflies was a treat. The Maggiolina sleepers were more effected by the campground noise and sticky weather than the van sleepers.

Grandma and Grandpa

As always, one of the highlights is eating Grandma’s meals. This time, we had loads of strawberries we picked at Pine Tree Farms in White Bear Lake to eat (see photo below). Grandpa fixed up Uncle’s “antique” Schwinn bikes for riding. Also, he engineered the removal of the canoe from the garage. Finally, Grandma detected and Grandpa re-attached a piece of plastic to the bottom of our van. We feel so fortunate for all their special treatment.

Event to Remember

• picking 12 lbs. of strawberries at Pine Tree Farms in White Bear Lake
• snail shell gathering and swimming at Snail Lake Beach
• riding bikes to Ken’s Market for treats and just riding through the neighborhood
• canoeing at Lake Johanna
• playing our keyboard and visiting the neighbors and performing a “concert”
• new Nickelodeon theme at Mall of America
• Anniversary date of Thai food and a movie
• Hot dogs, corn on the cob, and s’mores cooked on an open grill in the backyard
• Wall-E movie
• watching the Williams sisters dominate Wimbeldon
• playing tennis at Mounds View High School and at the park off of New Brighton along the power line path
• Watching fireworks with Grandpa over White Bear Lake with an awesome finale

Leaving

After saying farewell to Grandma and Grandpa, the van was filled with complaints of leaving too early. Just another sign that this trip was very special and memorable.

Date of Trip December 22nd – 31st, 2007

We spent the holidays at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s House with 6 cousins, aunts, uncles, and all our family.

Adventures included:

Pharos’ Nest Suite in Lincoln, Nebraska

This trip, we drove Sunday July 1st to Lincoln, Nebraska. Originally, we had planned to camp, so we didn’t make a reservation early enough to stay at the Fairfield Inn as usual. Instead, we had reservations at the Settle Inn. When we arrived at our room, it was immediately obvious that this was a smoking room. We had requested non-smoking. Since they had no non-smoking rooms clean in our configuration, they offered us, Pharos’ Nest, which contained a king sized bed, a black jacuzzi, and Egyptian art and murals everywhere. They hauled in two cots and it was clear this was going to be our favorite hotel stay to date.

Enjoying Grandma and Grandpa in Minnesota

We arrived in Minnesota on Monday July 2nd about 6:30 PM. We ran into more traffic than usual as we drove into the city on a Monday during rush hour when 35 W was under construction. It was a relief to make it home and eat dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. As always, we enjoyed many great meals catching up on the latest news from Minnesota and beyond.

Shopping: IKEA

We spent a day wandering around the IKEA store near Mall of America. Before leaving we bought two chairs, a few pieces for our walls, and a package of cinnamon rolls. Shopping and eating dinner together was our anniversary treat together this year.

Wedding Anniversary: July 4th

We were married in Grandma’s and Grandpa’s backyard 15 years ago this July 4th. After the wedding, our dinner was held at the White Bear Country Inn in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. So on the evening of July 4th, we packed up and headed to White Bear Lake Beach to watch the fireworks. The fireworks were shot off of some water craft which blew its whistle after the show.

Tour of Lakes: Our Swimming Vacation

With the exception of the first evening of our arrival, we swam every day of the vacation. Our swims included two hotel pools, three lakes, and one river. On Tuesday, we collected snails and chased fish at Snail Lake Beach before a thunderstorm moved in that afternoon. On Wednesday, we ran around the pond at Central Park in Roseville. That afternoon, Grandma sat with the kids while they played in Lake Johanna, the beach one block from Grandma’s and Grandpa’s home. On Thursday, we checked out Long Lake Beach which is a beautiful deep water beach with sandy shore, lots of grass for lounging, and a large dock in the swim area to play on. I really enjoyed swimming to the dock with the kids and watching them jump off and play in the lake.

One River Too

Finally, on Friday we loaded up the van with lunch and drove to St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. This park is currently owned by Washington County, but Control Data Corporation owned it as I was growing up. When my Dad worked for Control Data, we took many family camping trips to this park. I think we were all amazed that it really hadn’t changed much in the last 25 years. It seemed very well kept, the camping areas were very quiet and shady. Hopefully, we will have time to camp there again some year. The dock parking area has expanded. There were about 40 cars, most with boat trailers, parked at the dock. We found a small area of shade for the beach sitters in our group. The rest of us swam in the river making major discoveries in the water such as rocks with seaweed, zebra mussels and interesting shells. It was difficult to coax everyone out of the water at the end of our day on the St. Croix River.

Returning to Colorado: On the Road Again

As we leave Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house it is a cloudy, rainy day and the windshield wipers are working overtime. Cars whiz by splashing water everywhere as we head South on Highway 35W. I recognize the exits as I remember the many people and locations where I played table tennis, went to college, and grew up learning to be independent on these roads.

The Week in Pictures

Since our camera has random memory card errors, I grabbed Grandpa’s camera as we toured the city with our family. Dad reminded me that photos are free, so we took over 100 during the week. It is nice that we can store them on everyone’s computer to improve our memories.

Minnehaha Falls

On Monday, the weather was warm like summer, but there were still hints of snow in places. The Falls still showed frozen chunks of water, but mainly the water flowed strong and loud. While walking on the boardwalk toward the Mississippi, I tried to imagine how beautiful these dark spindly trees would look with large green leaves. Unfortunately, the boardwalk ended before we reached the Mississippi River. Next time, it would be fun to find a path that reaches all the way to the Mississippi River.

The statue Minnehaha and Hiawatha, was very impressive. Although, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow never saw Minnehaha Falls, his poem, “The Song of Hiawatha” was inspired by stories and images of Minnehaha Falls. The Longfellow House is a 2/3 sized replica of the Longfellow’s Home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. We made a quick stop at the Longfellow house which was a very interesting old yellow house with historical information inside. Information about Minnehaha Falls found here.

Minnesota Zoo

Two years ago at the zoo, we took the Monorail around the zoo because the weather was cold and snowy. This year we were able to walk. There were many interesting animals in large free roaming spaces. The funny part was that the prairie dog exhibit was probably our favorite. The animals were close and so social. We watched what looked like an argument between two prairie dogs. One mischeivious fellow kept kicking dirt at the other. In Colorado, prairie dogs are often thought of a nuisance because their populations are intruding on our human areas. At the zoo, they are such interesting creatures.

I would like to visit this zoo in the summer months. An amphitheater with a Birds of Prey show and the Farm Animals would be in season. Next time, it would be nice to see the entire dolphin show from a better seat. Checking dolphin show times before leaving home would be a good idea!

Table Tennis

Dad and I ventured out to play some serious table tennis on Wednesday night. I was highly impressed with Dad’s ability to compensate for his loss of depth perception. I know his eyes are improving every day. With a little more healing and practice, he will continue to enjoy the sport. He tells me that his friends enjoy practicing with me, but I know they were mostly interested in seeing him again

Mall of America

On a rainy day, this is a fun place to visit. Between themes, the amusement park inside the mall is not yet decorated as the newly planned Nickelodeon. We did have fun spending our 24 coupons on bumper calls, balloon rides, and the ferris wheel. The Rainforest Cafe is back! So, we had to eat amongst the apes, parrots, and fish during lunch. We are not big shoppers, but there are so many distractions, this is a different kind of shopping trip. We did manage to find plenty of things to buy and fun to have.

Minnesota Children’s Museum

We visited the traveling “Bob the Builder” show at the Children’s Museum. Memories of infants and toddlers were everywhere as we watched our little cousin explore the golf ball apparatuses, the ping pong ball waterways, and the bubble areas. We even stopped at the “weather” room only to find the thunderstorm cloud exhibit was broken. It is fun to spectate at the museum, but our family members are quickly outgrowing the exhibits.

Time at Home

Sharing piano with Minnesota neighbors was very fun. Many favorite times were spent at home in the home I grew up in. Highlights included making plans and meals with Mom, celebrating a birthday, practicing yoga together, working out at New Brighton Recreation Center in the early mornings, reading Dad’s book on building boxes and seeing his newest creations, watching photo slide shows, sharing blogs, being with my brother’s family, and getting to hold my baby nephew!

Getting Started: A False Start

Our plan was to drive half way to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house in Minnesota, camp overnight at a KOA, and finish our drive the next day. The van had been packed the night before. So, our goals for the morning were to eat breakfast, brush teeth, pack the cooler, and start our trip. What could be easier? We started our drive when we realized we forgot an important item. After returning back home to get the tent poles, we were on our way at 9:17 AM.

Saving Money: KOA Camping Instead of Hotel on the Way to Minnesota

We didn’t arrive at the West Omaha KOA until 8:30 PM local time (7:30 PM Colorado). That left us enough time for some of us to play miniature golf while the rest of us set up camp. We generally fill the tent with all the belongings we don’t need to sleep. So, booster seats, van seats, and clothes all go into the tent. We are always excited to go for a swim after a long day of traveling in the car. On this night, KOA’s outdoor pool had an algae problem and was not open.

Mosquitos: Would we get any sleep?

We slept with sheets only because the night time high was forecast at 70 degrees. Outside a cool breeze blew. However, this is mosquito country and we didn’t have screens on our windows. Instead of smoothering ourselves in bug repellent and opening the windows, we decided to close up the van and turn on the air-conditioner. So much for our rugged nature! The air-conditioner didn’t cool the van for long. We all had trouble going to sleep. But, with the help of adrenaline, we all seemed rested in the morning.

The Weather: An Early Morning Surprise

The next morning at 6:30 AM, we heard thunder. So we quickly got up. Before too long, the rain was pouring down. So, when the rain slowed down, we packed our wet tent and things as quickly as we could. Then, we were on our way by 8:30 AM (Minnesota time). I was shocked at how quickly we packed up in the rain. We arrived at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s home at 4:52 PM.

At Home In Minnesota

We had a wonderful visit with Grandma and Grandpa including a trip to Fort Snelling, Como Park Zoo, Island Lake Beach, New Brighton Eagles Nest (3 times), and table tennis with Grandpa (Mom 2 times). We also went on walks to Sampson Park and scoped out new homes being built on Lake Johanna Blvd. Mom and Dad went to see the movie “Scoop”, ate at Chilis, and walked around Central Park. The kids went with Grandma and Grandpa to eat at McDonalds and to walk around Central Park. Although we ended up at the same park, we didn’t run into each other which was a funny story afterwards.

Heading Back To Colorado

On the way home, we stayed over night at the Fairfield Inn in Lincoln, Nebraska. We swam, went to Culvers, played at a park off of 27th street beyond the railroad tracks, and rested in the hotel room. We left Minnesota that day at about 8:30 AM and arrived in Lincoln about 5:00 PM. We may have been able to go further that day, but the hotels in Grand Island were full.

Roxanne

This trip, we learned that Roxanne, our cat, had passed away while we were in Minnesota. We broke the news to the kids while sitting in the bedroom Mom grew up in. Over time, as we mourn, we will realize the impact, Roxanne, our cat had on our life and family.

Ideas for Next Time

* The kids would like to go geocaching in Minnesota. Geocaching is like a treasure hunt using a GPS unit. See the geocaching website for more details.
* Morman Island Nebraska State Park (exit 312) on the East Side of Grand Island, NE looked like a nice camping spot. We could see a beach from the gas station we stopped at.
* For summer travel, we need a scheme for opening the windows without letting the mosquitos in. (Minnesota photos by MDL)