July 13-19, 2023 Home to GA via MN and TN

July 13, 14, 15-We returned to Woodbury, MN to Joe and Erin Claussen's for a few days.  Dave helped with more boat projects.  Erin and I had fun shopping.

We drove along the Mississippi River as we headed south.  We spent the night in Prairie Du Chien.  We stayed at a great local hotel, River district Hotel.  We hiked along the river and returned to the hotel for free ice cream with toppings at the hotel lobby.  They had an amazing hot breakfast buffet including omelettes to order, French toast and bread pudding.

We found this rock garden/grotto at a church in Dickeyville, WI

I finally convinced Dave to stop in Nashville, TN for a night on our way back to GA.  We went out in the afternoon, early evening to avoid the rowdy crowds.  Our hotel had a free shuttle.  Must be getting old!

I had to take a line dancing class while in Nashville at the Wildhorse Saloon

Great afternoon band playing old country music at Layla's

July 5-12, 2023. VRBO outside of Cumberland, WI

Wednesday, July 5- We drove to Wisconsin today.  We rented a farmhouse VRBO halfway between Cumberland and Rice Lake, WI.  we picked up groceries on the way, checked in, and spent the night there alone.

Thursday, July6- We went to Dave's mom's apartment in Cumberland.  Dave took Alice to a Dr's appointment.  They picked up Chinese food at a food truck and brought it to her apartment.  Dave's brother, Dean,  from Minneapolis, joined us for dinner.  We packed up Alice and took her to the VRBO to spend a few nights with us.

 

 

 

 Friday, July7-Dean joined us that afternoon.  We all went to. Spooner, WI  for dinner.  We met a classmate of mine from Dental School, Ivan Streif, at the Round Man Brewery.  They had an awesome Canadian Walleye dinner, all you can eat.  It was great seeing Ivan again.  He and Dave did a lot of fishing together.  He has a cabin near here, but lives in Chanhassen, MN. 

 

Saturday, July 8-Dave's sister, Debbie, brought brunch to the VRBO-breakfast pizza, donuts, and fruit.  We spent the afternoon visiting and enjoying the farmhouse.  We went into Cumberland to go to our favorite meat market, Louie's.  And we had awesome grilled brat for dinner.

Sunday, July 9 I went to church with Alice, Dean and Debbie in Cumberland.  The entire family met at Pine Ridge resort for their fish and chicken dinner, all you can eat.  We celebrated Randy's birthday, Debbie's SO.

 

 

Monday, July 10- We took Alice to another Dr's appointment.  Then to Rice Lake to check her hearing aids.  Had lunch and returned to the VRBO.  It was nice to be able to take Alice to a few appointments and give Debbie a break. 

 

 

Tuesday, Jul 11-we spent the day enjoying the farmhouse, again.  Did some laundry and packed.  Dean brought pizza to us for dinner.  We spent the evening playing cards and dice games with Alice.  

 

 Wednesday, July 12-we checked out of the VRBO and took Alice back to Cumberland.  We headed  back to Woodbury to help Clausen's with their boat again.  After we left WI, Alice had tripped and hurt her shoulder.  She went to ER, but was dismissed.  She may have to have rotator cuff surgery.

  

July 2-4, 2023 Minnesota via Aberdeen, SD

To break up the drive to MN, we drove to Aberdeen, SD for the night.  On the way, we decided to stop in Redfield, SD to go to their drive-in theater, one of the few still operating.  We enjoyed the new Raiders of the Lost Arc.  They had a map in their concession stand marked with where patrons were from.  We gave them their first pin from Georgia.

crossed the beautiful Missouri River

Redfield, SD

have to have concession stand food

On Monday, we drove to Minnesota.  We entered the Twin Cities from the west, which we don't do much anymore.  We stopped at Ike's in Minnetonka off of hwy 7 before getting onto I494.  We had a prime rib French dip sandwich that was delicious.  Had to make a note in case we want to return.

We went to our friend's home in Woodbury, Joe and Erin Clausen.  They just bought their first sailboat.  We helped them with a few projects and had a fun afternoon of sailing.  The boat is kept at the municipal marina in Lake City.  It is at Lake Pepin, which is part of the Mississippi River.  We had brought our trailorable sailboat here over 10 years ago.  

We helped set up their lazy jacks, the lines that hold the main sail when it is down, got their air conditioning running,  and their head/bathroom.  Fun day on the water.

As we were headed back to the marina, the engine overheated.  Dave sailed the boat back into the slip perfectly.  Show off!!  But there were perfect wind conditions for that to happen.  

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July 1, 2023 Brian and AnaMaría Killion's Wedding

Our long time friend, Brian Killion, was married to AnaMaría today in Summerset, SD.  They had the reception at their home in Summerset.  We enjoyed seeing their family and some of our sailing buddies from South Dakota.

We spent the evening in Sturgis at my sister's second home, Janice and Jim's.  Katie, Memphis, Cassius, Don and Bev were there, too.  Nice ending to our family reunion

Janice, Don, Mary, Beverly