Chris finished Grandma's Marathon in Duluth in June in spite of the 80+ degree temperature. Grammy, Bapa and Lucy cheered him on from our house.
Grandcation: That is when grandparents have volunteered to keep the grandkids for a few days while their parents enjoy the serenity of Cape Cod! It was anything but serene at our house but it was fun. Lucy has learned to say Alex in her own way: "Ayaaaaaaa" and he answers.
Staycation: This is when you vacation at home. Ross' brother, Preston, was here last week from Oklahoma and we had full days. He is a great guest and I get to enjoy all my home city has to offer - and we did!
About to embark on our jon boat tour of the Mississippi River backwaters at Wabasha in the 18 foot Lund with Captain Dan at the helm. We saw eagles and their nests, egrets, herons, turtles and all kinds of slinky things in the 8 INCH deep waters. I would recommend this event and check it out at http://www.bigriveradventures.com/. Interesting that Captain Dan was a homebuilder who loved boats and nature - no homes to build so guess what he started a year or two ago!..Big Jon Backwater Boat Tours and also runs the Wabasha Motel and RV Park with his wife, Elaine.
Did Alex like the boat tour? YES HE DID. However poor sad Lucy is either upset at not being on the boat or that OU lost a game of some kind. Great Uncle Preston and Alex were immediate good friends.
We also visited the Science Museum of MN Titanic exhibit and it was very good. On entrance to the exhibit you are given a "boarding pass" with a passenger name. I was Margaret (or Mrs. JJ) Brown and was wealthy enough to be in first class..Preston and Ross in 2nd. I was one of the survivors (700+ out of 2000+) and later became known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown" because I sang and told stories to the other people in my lifeboat to keep their spirits up. Ask my family - I have been known to concoct stories on vacation.
Also visited the American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Lake Harriet streetcar and Minnehaha Falls (dry as a bone).
Next event - Saturday Ross has invited his Bloomington Chorale summer group to our house for lunch after their performance of show tunes at the Bloomington Farmer's Market.
Then - looking forward to brother Brian and nephew Andrew's visit August 1-8. We have rented a cabin for 3 of the nights. Bound to be another family adventure for all of us.
It looks like retirement threw you into being busier than ever. You're a natural-born tour guide and host!
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