The day we arrived. Patti and Cornell served us a delicious dinner out on the porch. It was a beautiful day and we took a nice walk around the park by Purgatory Creek just to help us stay awake.
The following day Patti and Tali drove us up to the Farm. It was a beautiful day as were all the days there - except for the one day of sightseeing in Duluth.
Dad, Jorunn, Arnlaug, Mom and Reb upon our arrival at the Farm.
As soon as we arrived dad took all of us on a tour of his gardens and orchards. It is as beautiful up there as always, even though he says that it has not been a good year for vegetables.Mom and Dad in front of one of the many apple trees filled with big juicy and happy apples.
One typical meal at the Farm. It wasn't the best year for vegetables, but still we had loads of good food. The corn is from my cousin, Mary. There are roasted banana peppers and fresh tomatoes as well. What a great lunch!
The only day of bad weather was used on a trip to Duluth for shopping and sightseeing. We never dreamed the fog and drizzle would last all day, but it did. We went into a Super Target (big store) and Arnlaug managed almost 5 whole minutes there before she went to the front of the store to find a bench to sit and wait for Jorunn, Mom and myself. Dad also hates shopping, so he kept her company. She finally did look around a bit however and did find a few things she liked.
Reb, Dad and Arnlaug at Enger Tower in Duluth. Not much view on a foggy and rainy day!
After some shopping and a snack in the back of the car, we went to find Enger Tower, a tower in a big park which was donated to the city of Duluth by a norwegian. The crown prince of Norway dedicated it to Duluth in 1939.
After that we headed to the harbor area and looked around in the small shops there before eating a great meal at Grandma's downtown.Reb and Dad at Grandma's in Duluth.
Back at the Farm, Mom and Dad have got an ATV now. The second day Dad took Arnlaug and Jorunn for a ride out to Mac Lake. It's a good little machine and even though Dad doesn't like it too much, it's a great way for him to get around in the woods without wearing himself out.
Dad took Arnlaug and Jorunn out to Mac Lake in the ATV. Here Arnlaug is looking for loons over Mac Lake.
Carolyn, Tali, Darcy and Daniel come up on the Saturday. They arrived quite early, so they must have started really early from Hastings. Carolyn brought a pan of rich butterfinger bars and Daniel brought us each a jar of strawberry jam he made himself! I drove everyone but Dad in the van to the logging road and we all (Mom included!)walked to the East beaver pond. Dad came after 45 minutes in the ATV to pick up those who may be tired. So he met us and we all walked around a bit then he picked up Mom and Darcy and drove them home while the rest of us walked home again. Tali, Carolyn, Darcy & Daniel left around 5PM or so. It sure was nice to see them. The same evening while Jorunn and I went for a run, Dad, Mom and Arnlaug walked out past the barn to the second prarie grass field. I can't believe Mom took two long walks like that in one day. She didn't even seem over exhausted, tired? - Yes, totally worn out? Well it didn't look like it!
Mom, a monkey, Tali, Darcy and Daniel (Carolyn and Arnlaug are hiding behind Dan) on our way to the East beaver pond.
The following day Mary and Kevin came up for the day. Absolutely wonderful to see them again. They brought a big sack of sweet corn and Mary had stopped by a grocery store and bought us 3 bottles of wine, cheese, cheese curds, crackers and pecan, carmel and chocolate sweets - all WI made. Then she made a pan of rich rich bars. They are so sweet, the bars were really good too!.
Me and my darling cousin Mary.
We had a nice meal together and Mary, Arnlaug, Jorunn and I walked out to Mac lake while Kevin and Dad drove the ATV to sumac hill to put up a deer stand for this fall.
Jorunn, Arnlaug, Mary and I in the prarie grass fields by Mac Lake.
We also had a few days of good old fashioned hard work - just to keep us in shape. Dad wanted to pick up a few loads of nicely rotted sheep manure from their neighbors the Zabraskies who live about 3 1/2 miles down the road. So we borrowed Greg's trailer, hitched it on the ATV and took 4 trips back and forth with it.
We visited the Zebraskie farm with Mom and Arnlaug before all the work started. Here Arnlaug got up the courage to pet the horses.
Jorunn and Dad working on filling up the trailer and ATV with sheep shit for his gardens.
The really dirty part was just driving on the dirt roads in the open ATV. We were covered from head to toe with fine dust from the roads.
Jorunn is driving the ATV back from Zebraskies with the back and a trailer filled.
Here we are spreading out the delightful manure in Dad's new beds by the pole barn.
We spent another day driving through Askov and Sandstone on our way to Hinckley to get some paperwork done for Dad's reimbursement of some of the cost for burning the prarie grass fields this spring. We stopped and ate at the Hinckley Casino and it was fun for Arnlaug and Jorunn to see it. That same evening there was a Master Gardners meeting in Hinckley, so we went home, relaxed for 1 1/2 hours and we all drove back and forth to Hinckley for the meeting. I'm sure Arnlaug and Jorunn thought it was boring, but it was fun for Mom and Dad to show off their Norwegian visitors.
You can see Mom and Dad's books on sale at a store in Sandstone. They're on the top shelf, left side.
Outside of the shop in Sandstone that had Mom and Dad's books for sale. Journn had to get a picture og a big 18-wheeler!
Eating lunch at the Hinckley Casino.
Mom and Dad walking out of the Hinckley Casino after a good lunch. Aren't they cute?
All too soon our time at the Farm was over. Patti came up on Wednesday after work to pick us up. We had a nice dinner together before leaving. It's always so sad to leave the Farm. I guess it's even worse for Mom and Dad who are left in an empty house.
Once back in Minnetonka we had Thursday and Friday to do some city activities. We did some shopping again, but this time we went to Excelsior where Cornell grew up. There are lots of small shops there which was much easier for Arnlaug to handle!
Eating a nice lunch at a pretty little restaurant in Excelsior, MN.
That evening Patti and Cornell treated us to an evening at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. We saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and it was lots of fun. It was very visual and easy enough for Jorunn and Arnlaug to understand.
The ladies night out at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater.
The stage before the show started.
The weather was still as beautiful as could be, so we took a short trip out in the convertible. Jorunn had fun cruising around in that. Cornell took us for a nice ride around Lake Minnetonka the following day. perfect cruising weather!
Cruising in the convertible on a beautiful late summer day in Minnetonka.
We left on Friday, but got in a full day of sightseeing before the plane took off. The Minnesota State Fair was on and we went there early in the morning, before the hoards arrived around noon.
This is a view of the Minneapolis skyline and part of the State Fair taken from a ride up the needle.
We spent lots of time in the horticulture building, looking at all the crafts, looking at all the animlas and eating all sorts of food on a stick.
Jorunn by the 4H display at the State Fair.
Here you see the hordes of people at the State fair just as we were getting ready to go home.
After the fair, we went home to pack and relax before leaving. Patti made us a delicious meal of presunto and sage chicken breasts, tomato slicis flavored with pecans, parsley, basil and a vinaigrette (Patti may correct me here!). She's such a great cook!
One final delicious dinner on Pat and Cornell's porch before going to the ariport.
So that's the end of a whilrwind 12 day trip to Minnesota. I think it was an experience for a lifetime for Arnlaug and Jorunn. It is so fun knowing that they have seen everything we talk about so often. It was a great trip.
Thanks to everyone who made it such a success!
Rebecca
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