Happy Grad

Lakeville, Minnesota -- Sun-Tue, May 28-30 -- Rest Days

Sunday was the big day -- Jamie’s graduation from St Olaf’s school of nursing. Our slow but steady pace paid off, so we were able to share in the festivities. I'm sure Mom and Dad -- Joan and Don --were super proud and perhaps a little relieved to have these four years at the small, out of state, private university, at an end. Unlike many graduates, Jamie already has a job lined up to start in August. For the time being, she's decided she likes being a midwestern girl and will stay in Minneapolis for a while. Graduation day was bright and sunny. I'm told there are dozens of days a year like this!

The day was filled with non-stop graduation events -- brunch at 10:30, pinning ceremony at noon, full graduation at 3:30, and a family dinner at 7:00. My dad's cousin and wife, Al and Marilyn, drove out from Minneapolis for the big event. Although I have heard about Al and Marilyn all of my life, the one and only time I met them I was just four. Al and Dad grew up together, and when my dad's parents died, he went to live on the family farm (in North Dakota) with them.

Don, Jaime, Lucas, and Joan

For the last couple days of our riding break, we were able to explore Minneapolis. To Dex and Kylie’s ultimate dismay, none of the activities were mini golf or watching a movie. On the bright side, we got to spend tons of time with family -- Don, Joan, Jamie, and De Ann, and, when he wasn’t working, Jamie’s boyfriend, Lucas. We even got to meet their friendly (though somewhat chubby) cat, Lionel (sorry Jaime). Although we adore dogs, the Hoornaert family is considering a feline companion when we return home. Must be friendly as a dog but capable of spending weekends on it's own.

Since yesterday was Memorial Day, we did our patriotic duty and -- what else -- went to the Mall of America. What could be more patriotic than that?  Purportedly, this is the largest mall in the US, which was pretty easy to believe. Inside is an entire amusement park, which, of course, we had to test out. Even Uncle Don and Aunt De Ann got in on the act.

The rest of our time was spent either exploring the area... or eating. The Minnihaha falls and the Weissman Art Museum are two of the notable tourist attractions we visited.

Minihaha Falls

Weissman Museum

And since De Ann had never actually seen the Mississippi, Jamie walked us over to the Stone Arch Bridge where early last century stood dozens of flour mills. For more than fifty years, starting in 1880, Minneapolis was the flour milling capital of the world. Not only was the Mississippi used to power the mills, but being on the river made distribution south a relative snap.

On Tuesday afternoon, it was time to say good bye to De Ann. Some of "us," apparently, have work to do!