Clarkfield MN - Another day, another family gathering

We headed West next for the Ed visit.  Farm day in Clarkfield - and a full night of activities after that.  

 

Stillwater MN - Family Weekend

 

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...

Saint Paul MN - Sending Patty Off

 

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.  

Wegner Grotto WI - Interesting corner along the higway

 

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.  

Sparta WI - Elroy/Sparta and Lacrosse River Trails

 

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.