"THE NORTH STAR STATE"

(that's Minnesota for those of you who can't figure it out)

I always thought Minnesota was the "Land of 10,000 Lakes",

but I guess in actuality they have 12,000 lakes!!!

Anywho...I was in Minnesota from August 10th - 13th.

I visited the Mall of America which is quite overwhelming but fun!

Will really liked the pictures and can't wait till he can visit.

Dave and Melissa Gafford were my gracious host and hostess for the weekend.

After dinner and a little shopping they took me to downtown Minneapolis

(which is a really cool and happening place by the way) to a jazz room called "Rossi's".

We enjoyed good music and wonderfully, sinful deserts that, I kid you not, were 12 inches high!

This picture of Melissa and I did not really turn out because of the lighting,

but there we are. (I'm on the left.)

On Saturday I rented a car and drove down to Rochester.
My Gran Ihde lives there. She has stomach cancer, so Layne (older!)
and I met up to spend some time with her. We enjoyed visiting
and watching the game show "Chain Reaction".
I stayed over with Gran on Saturday night.
We feel asleep watching an old John Wayne movie called "Donovan's Reef".
It was great!!!



Sunday I drove back to Dave and Melissa's.
I really enjoyed Woodbury and their home.
This picutres captures about 1/2 the ducks they
have swimming about their small pond.

The other half of the ducks!

If you ever get a chance to visit MN I would highly recommend it!