Stillwater MN - Cheikh gets up on skis

 

Stillwater MN - Waterskiing and getting up!

 

A bit cooler than the last couple times at the lake but a great day none the less. 

A day full of surprises.  Our "Clausen" friends joined us for the day as well.  After some warm up tubing we got out the water skis.  Margie started out by showing everyone how to do it.  Ezra gave it a few tries and then Cheikh took his turn and owns the title for the ONLY MAC to get up and water ski!

 

Saint Paul MN - Interesting niche business

 

Saint Paul MN - Dinner with Nancy

 

Lucky me - Nancy has been hanging out twice in the last two weeks and we got to hang out.  

Did dinner at the Saint Paul Airport - Holman's Table.  Easy for her and a great space to hang out.  

We went for the chocolate dessert as well - why not!

Saint Paul MN - Another interesting Covid week

  

Niketh has decided to head back to Sri Lanka and do the first term remotely from home.  So our Mac Team is getting smaller.  We had a little send off Tuesday night - he got notice overnight on Monday that he had a seat in the plane on Thursday - so no time to get organized. 

At my stop at the grocery store to pick up a couple items for our evening I had one of the "what" Covid experiences.  Apparently, paper grocery bags are getting scarce.  Kowalskis has been using generic ones of late - and then on Tuesday they gave me a Cub Foods bag........

As I was heading towards home on my Tuesday bike ride I got sight of the smoke bellowing up in the sky as I crossed the Sabo bridge.  Showed up again as I crossed the river heading home and ended up being in Saint Paul at a metal recycling plant.  

And another fun Covid patio evening on Wednesday in Plymouth with Lynn and Dick......and the dog!

Bloomington MN - Minnesota Valley Refuge

 

I have biked by the Minnesota Valley National Refuge many, many times.  And every time I have thought that I need to come back and check out what is happening here.  

Today was the day.  Another amazing surprise in the heart of the metro.  Like all things Covid, the visitors center and info area are all closed.  But there are still plenty of signs with info and the trails are all wide open for wandering.  

It also connected up so many trails that I didn't quite understand why they were there - a network does exist.  Will be back again to explore further.

Minneapolis MN - Vets home wander

 

A double walk day - covered Saint Paul with morning group and then off to Minneapolis for an afternoon wander.  

Took in the Vets home and surrounds in Minnehaha Park.

Stillwater MN - Hitting 130,000

 

Were just leaving the fun today and Alex realized that we were on the edge of hitting 130,000 miles on my car - the things that make life interesting in the days of Covid is always a surprise. 

We approached the stop sign thinking it would click right there - but it sure seemed like the longest mile ever.  And then it turned over - finally.  

Fifteen years and finally 130,000 miles on that CRV.......

Stillwater MN - Lake day in the humidity

 

The humidity snuck back in again.  We didn't have lots of sun but the humidity just kept creeping in until the day was grey, cloudy and sticky.  With some occasional sun. 

The storms finally hit but south and east of us - so got a bit of a breeze but no break in the steam.  Enjoyed the lake anyway.  And got to hang with Lauren, Hunter and Kendall.  

Saint Paul MN - BBQ to finish off the weekend

Had a big project going in the house over the last 3 weeks - and finally done.

Started to get the house back in order, and was organized enough to get the Mac guys over for a bbq to finish off the weekend. 

Cooler and sunny night - so great to hang on the deck for the evening. 

Saint Paul MN - 4 days in a row on the bike

Great weather and just kept hopping on the bike.  Got in 4 rides in 4 days and the edge of 100 miles for the group. 

Different biking partner each day so great to get in a ride and catch up with some great friends. 

And always interesting in our 2020 Covid world.