Touring the Midwest...

All the great rockers have done it....toured the midwest. Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, Laurence Welk, Garrison Keilor, Quiet Riot (well, without the lead singer). So when Nathan and I hopped the Suncountry red-eye from San Franscisco to Minneapolis St Paul, we were following in the footsteps of some well-travelled folks.

July 22
We arrived July 22 at 6:30 am, with about 3 hours of sleep to find that our rental car was rented at Alamo at Lindbergh Terminal, not Humphrey. No mention of that on the website we used, just booked it into MSP airport. So we take the train over to car (which works slick) but the delay puts us in rush hour traffic after not very much sleep. Finally, we arrive at Gretchen's at about 8:30 am--late enough to miss the party, but not too late to say good bye.

You see, we just missed Nathan's grandma's birthday party (94!) by about 8 hours. If only we had known when we booked the flights...but then again, nobody tells us anything! Nathan's aunt Sarah left at 5 am, so we missed her by a few hours too. We did get there in time to see Len, Karen, Kari, and Jon before they drove back to SDakota.

With some showers, we are ready to face the town. We take a visit to Valley Fair for Nathan's birthday. It's been a long-time since I've been (high school graduation), Nathan doesn't remember visiting (although there is some dispute). The suggestion comes from Gretchen which is suprising as she doesn't like rollercoasters. That didn't stop her though, after a few fun rides, she worked up the courage to join us on the OUTLAW. (Well first she worked up her courage to ride the CORKSCREW but someone had gotten sick in her seat and we had to work up to it again). Nathan and I rode STEEL VENOM which turned out to be the best rollercoaster I had been on in years!

After our adrenaline fix, we were wide awake. So headed to Martha and Dick's for a quick visit.

July 23--Nathan's birthday!

We had a lazy morning before picking up Nathan's grandma for a joint birthday celebration. We had a nice visit with her, looking at photos, eating her candy, and installing some birdfeeders. After the candy was gone, we dropped Gretchen back in Chaska before heading to Rochester for an impromptu birthday party. We met Kirk, Dave, Cheryl, Curt, Nancy, Karen & Keith, Carole, Jaymi, and Tony out for Wings and Beers at our old local. (We found out old house was for sale...tempting!) Had a great time...but way too many friends to visit with....and we wish we had time to get in touch with a few more.

July 24--
Jaymi hosted and we got to spend the morning visiting (at Barnes and Noble...of course) before meeting my favorite folks from the Diversity Council for lunch. I miss them so much (and the wonderful work they do). I enjoy my work now, but it's an amazing team. Meanwhile, Nathan was catching up with Tobin and other friends. Nathan somehow finds time for a trip to the hockey store where he buys some birthday presents of his own (including a shockdoctor bag--thanks deb and tim).

At about 1:00 pm we split up, Nathan back for a few more days with his Mom and Grandma. I met my mom and sister for the 2 hour trip to Elmore.

The trip to Elmore was great. Julie, Mom and I spent the whole time talking (alright I distracted Julie while mom completed the shopping for Julie's birthday party.) It seems like we could have talked for weeks....somehow its different when its in person.

July 25--
Up early to walk with Mom and her friends around Elmore. It was about 90% humidity at 7:30am, I thought I was in a steam room. Can't say I've missed the humidity! Sam, Owen, and Jamie came over to help us prepare for Julie's Birthday party. It was great to spend some time with them, especially Jamie before she heads off to School. After many jokes about Julie turning 50, we lifted our glasses to salute my wonderful sister.

July 26--
Saturday I pottered around the house with Mom and Dad. hey had a wedding in the afternoon, and the dance in the evening. Nathan's day was full of adventure (a personal best during a 5k in the morning, then meeting Kirk for sailing in the afternoon.) TNathan joined me in Blue Earth for the demolition derby (mud, mud, mud!) and we bumped into my cousin Shannan and her family. It was hard to talk in between car smashes, but we managed. We had hoped to get together after that, but our time just got away from us. The demolition derby has refired Nathan's life goal of driving in a demo derby....if only either of us knew anything about cars.

July 27--
We went to Shiloh for church. We went home to throw together a BBQ for the evening when my siblings, neices, nephews (and great neices and nephew!), Aunt Connie & Donnie, could join us for some relaxed visiting. After lots of jokes about "shrimp on the barbie", we caught up with family and had a great night. Mom as always makes hosting 40 people look incredibly easy....how did I miss out on that gene!

Nathan has develeoped a severe case of poison oak. Somewhere in the weekend it goes from a few local spots to a systemic reaction. Nathan begins dipping himself in Calomine lotion. MMMM pink.

July 28-
Despite his ailment, Nathan is excited to get the chance to go golfing! We met my Dad after he played 2 rounds on the senior tour, for 1 more round. Dad spoiled us with some coaching advice, which worked for Nathan but I was too tough for him (I refused to improve). Mom joined us for the last few holes and we picked Earl Cowin up on the way through as well. It was a great time (even if my golf needed improvement). It seems that its not really a trip home unless there's golf in there somewhere. We met Brian, Jen, Julie, Scott, Crystal and kids for a final night of pizza and talking. Somewhere in between the jokes, stories, and kid adventures, I didn't find the moment to say how precious my short time with my family in MN is. I started dreading leaving MN again, before we had even arrived. This visit was too short by far, but sometimes I am amazed that I ever get back on the plane. It's probably a good thing I didn't say that, they would have teased me about being sentimental anyway.

When Jen invited Nathan and I to go see the Dark Knight at 11:00 pm that night, it seemed a good way to stretch our visit a little longer. It was a great movie...wow... but I'd take back those 2.5 hours now if I could and squeeze out a few more hours of conversation.

July 29-
Woke early to walk with mom and her friends. Another humid one. Spent the rest of the morning quietly with mom and dad. As we sat down for lunch, it hit me that our time in Elmore was over already. Mom forbade me from crying, so we joked a bit as we headed out the door right on schedule.

We met in Chaska. Nathan and his mom for one more night, while I spent the night with my girlfriend Connie. Connie was just what I needed to lift my spirits...she knows me well and kept me laughing all night long as we raced home in her Camaro, to play Rockband, and catch up on news.

July 30-
Now the minutes really fly by. Connie drops me back in Chaska. Nathan gets some steroids for his poison oak, after having received the most minimal physical exam possible.. After some important last minute shopping (I miss Target!), Nathan and I settle in to an amazing dinner with Gretchen and her friend Vicky. We pack our things.."borrow" some of Gretchen's books...weigh bags one more time...before having to say goodbye.

We climb back on our SunCountry flight for 2 days in California before we make the long trip home.