Minnesota Trip - Day Four

(Eagan, MN - June 28, 2008) Today was the celebration of the 40th wedding anniversary of my sister, Barbara, and her husband, Jim Kelm.

The day started with ominous clouds and the promise of thunderstorms and rain. Jan and I filled the morning with a side-trip to the Indian Mounds State Park in St. Paul, MN. In her reading of 1491, Jan was made aware of the importance of the mounds as not only burial places but also gathering sites for the pre-Columbus natives. The mounds in St. Paul were good examples, and the view of the Mississippi River at St. Paul was spectacular.

The celebration was great and the weather cooperated. It brought together the four Rollins children, Leonard, Barbara (Kelm), Louise (Smith), and John, pictured above. Jim and Barb's daughters, Heidi, Gretchen and Rebecca hosted the event and gave their parents a wonderful tribute. Jan and I were honored to share the celebration.

Tomorrow we leave for the fishing lake. As Internet connection is practically non-existent in that area, the next chapters of this Chronicle will not appear for several days. But, more will come...

Minnesota Trip - Day Three

(Egan, MN - June 27, 2008) The trip from DeForest, WI on Interstate 94 took us through the Wisconsin Dells area, most recently hit by the above-normal rains. And we were able to check out the "lake that is no more" -- Lake Delton. Because of the rains, a levee which formed the lake was washed out, and the lake was drained in a matter of hours. The photo tells it all.

After a few more hours of driving, we arrived in the Twin Cities area. We headed directly to the Mall of America for some sight-seeing and shopping. The crowds were typical for a Summer weekday, but the Mall never ceases to amaze with its variety of offerings.

Tomorrow is the celebration of my sister's 40th wedding anniversary to be celebrated at their home in Red Wing. Again, more to come...

Minnesota Trip - Day Two

(DeForest, WI - June 26) The second day of the trip involved a little more than eight hours of driving, through stretches of flat Ohio farmland followed by the huge mills of northern Indiana and the crush of Chicago. The little video, taken by the Canon G5, gives a sample of travel on the Ohio Turnpike.

Along the way, we saw evidence of the over-abundance of rain the area has received. Some corn crops had areas where the plants had been drowned, and some had been planted late so the plants were much smaller than they should be at this time.

Our hotel for the evening is between Madison, WI and the Wisconsin Dells, in a part of the area just beginning to see commercial growth take over farmland, evidenced by a great cornfield right next door to our hotel. We've got the best of both worlds!

More comes tomorrow...

Minnesota Trip - Day One

(Richfield, OH - June 25) The first day of the Minnesota trip went smoothly. Google directions are great and Jan and I made good time as we crossed Pennsylvania via Interstate 80. The faithful Gran Prix is averaging 31 mph on the highway.

It looks as though the high price of gasoline has had an effect; there seemed to be fewer passenger cars on the Interstate and less congestion at the rest stops. Whether that means more people are using mass transit or just staying home remains to be seen.

I remain amazed at the beauty of God's creation as the scenery rolls by, and I rejoice that Jan and I have the time to share it.

More to come...

Here we go...

A long-awaited vacation begins next Wednesday, June 25. Jan and I will be driving to Minnesota to share their 40th wedding anniversary with my sister, Barbara, and her husband, Jim. Their daughters, Heidi, Gretchen and Rebecca have planned a special day.

Then, weather permitting, we'll be off to Hammal Lake near Aitkin, MN, to do some fishing.

More details will follow.