Failure and Success

Eleven of us attended dining out yesterday at Max and Irma's in Royal Palm Beach. I've been feeling a little depressed since Friday when Jane failed the eye test for renewal of her driver license but today when she took the test again, she passed. That was a big relief.

Hot, Hot, and Hotter

Many know our AC was out for our return drive. The first days were pleasantly cool but after Tennessee it started getting bad and especially on that final day from Warner Robins the heat was miserable. We arrived home Wednesday evening about 9:30, thankful to have driven all those miles without any mishaps. We're still busy getting settled in. It was a most delightful vacation filled with good memories of places and friends, both new and old.

Warner Robins, Georgia

Our friends, Ann and Dan, in Warner Robins, Georgia are probably one of Evergreen's busiest hosts not only because of their location on the eastern flyway favored by the Florida snowbirds but also for their legendary hospitality. This was our fourth stay with them and they remain among our favorites. We dined together at Mellow Mushroom. Please note the dates of this and other postings are slightly off due to time constraints and infrequent Internet access.

Tennessee

Monday, on our way to Tennessee we had a lengthy stop in Columbus, Indiana where we had a guided tour of the splendid architecture treasures for which the town is famous. Columbus, Indiana is ranked 6th in the nation for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects on a list that includes the much larger cities of Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Our visit Monday evening in Hendersonville with our hosts Ginny and Elroy Gauerke was another "homecoming." We had met them the summer before where we were delighted to find this liberal and progressive thinking couple in such a conservative region. Please note the dates of this and other postings are slightly off due to time constraints and infrequent Internet access.

Indianapolis

We were hosted Sunday evening by Don and Ruth Ann MacPherson and dined with them at Panera Bread. They are delightful hosts for whom we had fondest memories. Having stayed them a few years earlier, it was an easy and friendly "homecoming" for us.

Glen Ellyn, IL

Pictured below is Sunday breakfast with our Evergreen hosts, Bill and Mary, with whom we have stayed twice before. We feel really comfortable with them. The two other pictures are from our stop two days earlier in St. Paul -- Garrison Keillor's bookstore.

Beginning the Homeward Trek

Arriving Wednesday in "The Cities," as they call the greater St. Paul/Minneapolis area, we were lucky to get to visit my nephew's family (in the bottom photo) and our friends, Jeannie & Ron. We were delighted to be welcomed so warmly by our Evergreen hosts, Bill and Marlene who hosted us for three nights, allowing us time to do some good sightseeing.

The two pictures below, taken by Jane, are of the Fredrick Weisman Art Museum designed by Frank Gehry and the new bridge in Minneapolis replacing the one that collapsed two years ago.

Tuesday

Yesterday we took a group to tour the Prindle House. Mary and Evert House came over for games in the evening.
Today we went to breakfast at Family Traditions with Kathryn, Roger, and Tamara.
We're packing up for departure early tomorrow morning.

Sunday

This morning we went to the Unitarian Universalist church. And this afternoon we attended a terrific concert of Strikepoint. We dined with Kathryn, and Bill & Sandra Foster at Restaurant 301.

Friday afternoon we went to see the most delicious movie, Julie & Julia, and found it was even better than I expected. Meryl Streep was perfect as Julia Child. There is very little not to like in this movie so I urge everyone to see it.

Architectural Walk

Visit to Grand Marais

We drove up to Grand Marais today.

View four additional pictures

Jane enjoyed lunch with Mary and Kathryn at Nokomis.

Terrific Music

This afternoon we enjoyed the best music of our stay here at UMD. The All-State Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Ensemble performed in the Marshall Performing Arts Center. We were thrilled by the wonderful performances.

Florida Luncheon

We enjoyed a luncheon for Florida residents in the dining center. Fewer than half the 53 Florida residents attended.

Mary & Evert and Tamara & Roger came over this evening for rhubarb pie and games but we visited and never got to games.

Seventeen hikers enjoyed this beautiful day at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day to visit Enger Park.

This morning we attended the monthly meeting of Lake Superior Free Thinkers at the Duluth Radisson.
This evening we attended the Progressive Roundtable where you see Jane with Senator Franken.

Clelia II

Last evening we went down to the rose garden and noted the blossoms are in decline but still a delight to see. This photo was made in dim light at 8:10 p.m.
This morning we saw the cruise ship, Clelia II moored in the harbor.