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Early, on June 1st, we began our journey back to the USA by car. Here we
are driving on a new toll road that diverted us around Guadalajara as the sun
peaked at us in the horizon.
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Our
first stop was outside of McAllen TX, where we had the RV and Ford stored since
early March. We put our 1999 Jeep at a consignment shop with hopes
of buying a newer car for Mexico when we return this fall. |
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Our
next stop was Shreveport Louisiana, to visit Glorine's sister Sally, who was
recovering from complications from a back surgery. |
After a short stop in Waverly, Nebraska to visit Larry's brother Bob, we arrived
at Prior Lake, where we set up our temporary home on the campus of Mystic Lake
Casino.
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First order of business was to spend time with the grandkids. Newly out of
school for the summer, they were anxious to show us a new sport--Football
Golf, like golf, but you kick a soccer ball into the hole. |
While riding bikes with Clara and Chase in the Mdewakanton Sioux Community,
we stopped at this Veterans Cemetery, dedicated to the past and current warriors. |
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We spent a day at the Minnesota History Center to learn more about the
history and culture of the people who settled here. Housed
in an awesome building in St. Paul, it was more than we expected. |
One thing we learned--water skiing was invented in Minnesota.
We also learned that Minnesota lies on the northern edge of Tornado Alley.
They had a
great display showing just how destructive they can be. |
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Chase signed up for baseball, which he calls his second favorite sport,
following ice hockey. His team did well this year. It is always
nice when you are on a winning team. |
Saying farewell to the card board play house that Grandpa Larry built for the
kids in 2009. Can't believe it is still standing with all the play time it
took. |
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Life on a lake has its advantages, one is all the water sports one can do,
right in your back yard. And that is what they do all summer long. |
Clara is still on training skis. Here she is "the spotter" watching
Grandma Glorine taking her annual trip around Upper Prior Lake. |
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At 70, Grandpa Larry got up on his first try, but he did not last as long as
Glorine. It is hard to believe how many unused muscles are called on
to get up on skis. |
Two
kayaks and two paddle boards are included in the list of water toys the kids
(including their parents) enjoy using. With summers being short, they pack it
all in. |
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A trip down memory lane. We drove past Stout State University in
Menomonie, WI where Larry had
considered attending college back in 1969. What would life have been like? Instead,
we moved to Eastern KY University and the rest is history. |
For
Clara's birthday we set up the RV for two nights at Six Lakes Resort
Park in Chetek WI. Yes it is home to a chain of six lakes, five of which
we boated on. The lakes include nearly 4,000 surface acres of water and 63
miles of shoreline. |
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Craig brought the pontoon, which is where we spent most of our time.
It came in handy as we cruised along the shore, lined with cabins and an
occasional pub and/or restaurant. |
Grandkids bring out the youth in us. Here Grandpa Larry is relaxing with
Clara at one of the many novelties that settings like this attract. |
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This is one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters left in the Twin
Cities and it is the main reason Clara picked Chetek for her birthday treat. |
We
had just learned about the force of tornadoes at the MN History Center and now
got to see the damage first hand. This area was hit hard on Memorial
Weekend. |
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Leinenkrugel, located near here, celebrated its 150th year of brewing some
mighty fine beers and the pubs in Chetek put the anniversary to good use. |
Traditions
runs deep in the Gillen family and one of them is for all of them to jump into
the lake at 4:40 pm on June 21st to celebrate the birth of little Clara--11. |
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We got the best seat in the house, when Mystic Lake hosted a concert for
Lionel Richie. Our RV was directly acrossed the road from their
amphitheater, so we started a campfire and enjoyed his greatest hits. |
Craig inherited this 1974 Olds Delta 88, which had been in storage for nearly a
decade. Craig got it running like new. It now has a prominent spot
in their two-car garage. |
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We got Clara this 24" 21-speed bike for her birthday. It fits her to a
tee, but may be short lived at the rate she is growing. The biggest
challenge for her was getting used to hand brakes, which she mastered
quickly. |
Clara had her first sleep over birthday party, which kept the numbers down over
past years. They included friends from school and her ice hockey team and
Chase, of course. |
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After lots of boating and tubing, they hammered down the traditional piñata,
played a few games, opened presents and watched an outdoor movie by the
lake. Nice birthday! |
A
new tradition that we enjoy is long bike rides along Minnesota's awesome trail
system. Here we are riding on the Brown's Creek Trail near Stillwater.
An old railroad made for a great trail--few hills with gradual inclines. |
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One of our stops along Brown Creek Trail was the Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter
Restaurant where we enjoyed a great meal and some awesome brew. |
The
grounds at the restaurant were covered with such gorgeous gardens, we couldn't
help but to memorialize the moment with pictures. |
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What a picture perfect place! |
While we were in Stillwater, Craig and Larry took advantage of one of the
microbrews. Here the pilot is enjoying a "flight of beer." |
