A Walk in the Woods and a Drive in Wisconsin

Yesterday, Diane & I took a road trip over to Wisconsin to see if the fall colors were out yet. Unfortunately, we were a bit early for that but did enjoy stopping off of WI Hwy. 35 near Prescott and seeing the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center at Freedom Park with a beautiful view from the bluffs of the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers.

We continued our drive down Hwy. 35 and were going to go to Stockholm but ended up stopping in Red Wing where we ate lunch and did some antiqueing before heading back home. It was a fun day but it seems the beautiful colors on the trees were in our own backyard!

Diane's Retirement

Here are a couple of pictures I took at Diane's retirement party. I thought she would be putting some on her blog but haven't seen any so here goes. Very proud of my Sis!

Oh, Give Me A Home, Where the Buffalo Roam....

While driving home to Maple Grove today, I took the more scenic route and was pleased to see the buffalo have returned to this farm. For quite awhile they have not been there when I've driven by and the field had become overgrown with grass since they weren't there to eat it. What a beautiful scene it was and I wasn't even in Yellowstone!

For all the Poker Queens, I found Diane's camera laying on the fireplace hearth in the bedroom so all is well with the world again and she can continue taking great pictures.

Weekend at the Cabin with the Poker Queens

Here is a tiny movie of our weekend at the cabin....we played games, ate, drank and laughed a lot (remind me not to laugh while filming my tiny movies from now on). We missed Anita, Corrine & Pat and hope you can make it next time although I know it's impossible for you to be there, Pat. Turn up the volume to hear the music. It may take awhile to download but it will come in eventually.

I also went to Diane's retirement party today at Brookdale and was glad to see such a large turn-out of her friends. She has worked hard for 28 years and deserves to have some fun now! Congrats, Sis!

A Night at the Theatre

JoAnne and I went to see Wicked at the Orpheum last night and it was fabulous! The singing and acting were spectacular. We had seats right behind the orchestra....thanks for getting the seats, JoAnne. It was such a fun night...I marvel at the actors.

Our State Fair 2010

Diane, Joan and I went to the State Fair yesterday and really enjoyed ourselves....the weather was perfect and we tried a few different foods although no "camel-on-a-stick" for me.

We enjoyed the Salem Lutheran Church restaurant where they served egg coffee and great pancakes. We even chatted with a few people over egg coffee while we were waiting to eat.

We went through the Energy building where Diane and Joan decided to hop on the bikes and creat some energy to light up the bulbs. Me....I just took pictures.

We went through the Creative Arts building and enjoyed all the fine art....my favorite was the moose.

Stopped at O'Gara's and had some rueben balls deep fried (of course). I really liked the new addition of O'Gara's restaurant to the fair...great building and fine Irish beer and food with a bagpiper to boot.

We stopped at the International Market Square and listened to some neat dixieland/jazz music while eating Peaches and Cream....It was a little too sweet for me and way too much to eat....but I managed anyway.

We went to the Horticulture building in search of fine Minnesota wine which we found and imbibed in some while contemplating our next roadtrip in search of more vineyards in Minnesota.

We sat and watched the parade go by with people blocking our view so mostly we just watched people passing by which is kind of fun to see too.

We saw a booth with two very good looking young men manning it promoting Harlequin Books and were given a romance mystery novel for it....they even posed for me. :-)

We stopped at the Library tent and were able to get a great book for free on Minnesota's State Parks called, "Prairie Lake Forest" by Doug Ohman and Chris Niskanen. Doug even signed it for me and knew just where I lived...halfway between Itasca State Park and Park Rapids!

We stopped and watched a great show called, "When Radio Was". Prudence Johnson sang songs from the 1930's and I can't remember the fellow's name on keyboard but he was great too. Joan said they performed on Garrison Keillor's show, "A Prairie Home Companion" quite often. I just happened to watch a show on PBS last night on Keillor and actually saw Prudence Johnson singing on it. We were given a free CD, "Moon Country" by Prudence Johnson which was neat.

We took the Skyride also across the fair...Diane & Joan hopped on before me so I followed them. I was able to take a few pictures to remember the fair by.

I hope you enjoy my tiny movie of "The Great Minnesota Get-Together".