MINNESOTA - FAMILY, MALL OF AMERICA AND STATE FAIR

August 22 - 26, 2013

We had a great time visiting Minnesota.  We stayed at the Grand Casino in Hinkley.  Hinkley is north of Minn/St Paul and, believe it or not, the closest campground we could find for the dates needed.


My nephew and his family moved to Minnesota a couple of years ago.  He has faithfully returned to the west coast and we have faithfully "promised" we would visit Minnesota -- soon.  There was no way we were not seeing them.


Ben was so impressed with our home that he decided to move in with us.  Took a couple of minutes to convince him he needed to go with daddy.  But Uncle Ray came through with a camp over while I was in Oregon.

No fish (of course) so a quick game of Frisbee golf.

THEN - we got to see Ben on the ice.  What fun to watch Ben show off his stuff.  We didn't know what he was doing, but he looked really good and fast!

MALL OF AMERICA - I'm not much of a shopper since I retired but I couldn't pass up the chance of visiting the Mall of America.  Ray and I dodged all the freeway construction and headed out to the Mall of America located by the airport.   It was fun to see the amusement park in the middle of the mall.  Most of the stores were the same as the malls we have in Oregon.  I was hoping to see the QVC store but couldn't find it...it might be closed.

The lego store was as impressive as the rides.  Juli told me you could rent a room in Legoland for $250 per hour for parties.  hmmmmm

STATE FAIR - they say the Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest in the nation.  It was large and hot (97 degrees).  We arrived mid-day on Sunday and quickly found a parking spot.  Things were looking good.  Then we set out to find shade and fun things to do, see and eat.  By evening, we had tickets for the Grand Stand - Dwight Yoakum and Sheryl Crowe performing.  As we were walking to our car, there were fireworks -- right on top of us.  Made us giggle and run like heck to the car.  A great day at the fair.

OGSTON'S CAMPGROUND - DULUTH MINNESOTA makes me a happy camper

August 2 - 7, 2013

Our original plan was to stay here a couple of days.  We arrived exhausted from our push to get here and we got situated and didn't want to leave.  This park has a lot of pluses including nice space between sites, grass, great wifi, park-like setting.  We loved driving through the ponds to our site.  Neighbors were great.  The clubhouse has laundry and restrooms/showers and a pool table.  This is a great place for dogs.  Lots of places for walking.  All this and close to Duluth.  If you are heading this way, stay here.

MINNESOTA POINT - EXPLORING DULUTH

August 3, 2013

We head into Duluth to explore all the wonderful places highlighted in their tourism brochure...of course first thing that attracts our attention is the aerial lift bridge and the point beyond.  This will be our first great lake experience.

Down the hill we go and we wind ourselves along brick paved streets.  Our mission is to find and cross the bridge to see what is on the other side.  Of course neither one of us had a map.











I started seeing markers for "Bob Dylan Way" so I assure Ray we are on the right path to somewhere.

This is the performing arts center.  It was next to the train museum.  We're getting close.












We cross over the aerial lift bridge to Minnesota Point.  A busy place on a Saturday afternoon.  There are rows of restaurants and shops lining the two streets that seem to be the thoroughfare.  We get in the line up of cars and see where the road takes us.

To our pleasant surprise, at the end of the road is a public park full of people picnicking and enjoying the beautiful day.  We found parking for beach access next to the Duluth Seaplane Airport(?) and headed out for a stroll along Lake Superior.

On the path to the Lake, we saw what I think is some type of wild Bridal Breath growing with the dune grasses.  

We walked along the shoreline.  Since there isn't an outgoing tide to reveal packed sand for easier walking,  we walked at the water edge.  Sydney got to swim and Louie worked hard to avoid getting wet.  We found a log to sit and catch a view of the lake.  Louie decided to dig in the sand.  Nothing like a sandy dog in the car.

The Lake reminded us of the Pacific as we could not see land on the horizon.  But we couldn't see land on either side of us...does that make any sense?  Either way, it was a beautiful day and I didn't miss the NW wind that blows in the afternoon on the Oregon coast.

When we were leaving the point, the bridge was closed to let boats through.  We look ahead of us and there is another wedding!   What a fun place to have pictures.  Ray got out his long lens and grabbed a couple of shots!