Niece Abby and partner Sam arrived in the Twin Cities for a visit. Caught up with them for a pasta party at Dana and John's spot in Minneapolis between much needed showers.
Great to meet Sam and catch up with Abby. Summer is our busy season for those afar to come to Minnesota for a visit. And we already have a busy start to the season.
Nolan family reunion day. My paternal grandmother's family. And as it happens it all took place just down the road from Goodhue MN where I have spent lots of time since my friend Greg Nixon arrived in 1974. So almost like double family day.
Interesting to gather with a big crowd and realize I know none of these people and I am related at some level to all of them. We had lots of threats for rain but got a great afternoon to gather and chat.
Hit one of our regular coffee shops near Lake Nokomis and discovered a whole new display put together by one of the neighbors. Not sure if it is an acquired collection or just a house cleaning and showing it all off. Definitely visual overload trying to take it all in.
We are definitely on a streak to blow away our typical annual 90F degree days. Almost to the average and we usually get most of them in July/August.
Got out early for the Thursday ride before it got too hot. And found a new spot to take a break at Minnehaha Falls.
Ed and Lara got to my place and we took the scenic trip to the airport and had to make sure we got Nancy, the dog, out for a pee or two before I left them at the airport.
Mission accomplished.
We headed West next for the Ed visit. Farm day in Clarkfield - and a full night of activities after that.
Ed and Lara flew in from Florida for a long weekend. We got great weather to show Minnesota off.
Cousin Kathleen came in from Dallas TX as well. So started with a Friday night gathering and gathered once again on Saturday with another group. And 2 more days left...
We celebrated the life of my great friend Patty today in a lovely old historic church in the heart of downtown Saint Paul. Lovely service and a great celebration of Patty.
I have walked by this church, and even lived a block away at one point, and never walked in the door. What a beautiful spot.
An interesting side story to the day, when I first move to Saint Paul there was another old building behind the church that was named "Father Neil Stephen Cashman" building - the namesake for my brother. Father Neil Stephen Cashman was someone my father met during WW2 and obviously was a great friend - or at least had a great impact on my father.
Again, lovely service and celebration of Patty which it was all about in such a lovely place. She always loved the place - too bad they forgot their values.
The scenic route anywhere always leads to a surprise or two. Was lucky to find the Wegner Grotto before the rain hit.
A project a couple took on starting in the 20s on their property along one of the now back roads of central Wisconsin.
Warm and sunny so a great time to hit the trails based out of Sparta. Took off to the first tunnel on the Elway side and then came back and headed off to Rockland on the western side. Quick tour of Rockland - and was more than enough time to see everything.
Took in the local drive in and then decided to take the scenic routes back toward home. Fortunately, got myself all loaded back up before the rain hit. There was plenty of wind and rain all the way back to the Twin Cities.
