Oct 24, 2012 - Leaving Minnesota

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 – Rochester, MN We are almost finished with our doctoring at Mayo Clinic. We have a few appointments left for tomorrow (Thursday). As I have said before Mayo Clinic is the best place to go. In less than a week, we have had blood tests, urine test, chest x-rays, EKG’s, eye exams, neurology and dermatology appointments, beginning and final consultations with our doctors, Vicki also had a complete spine x-rays, lung test to check for asthma, pap smear, and mammogram, Lowell got his flu, shingles, and tetanus booster...

Aug 6, 2012 - Golf, finally

We had decided to golf today so we sat out to find a course. Originally we had planned to golf on the Soldier's Field course, but at the last minute decided we would try to find a closer one. So off we went. We arrived at Maple Valley about 10 am, but the earliest we could tee off was maybe 1230. This was too bad since they have a Monday special for seniors, nine holes free!! Oh well. So next we tried the one at Soldier' Field, they were having a tournament so that was a no go. They suggested Eastwood, so we drove there. It was 1050 when we...

Aug 4, 2012 - out and about #2

The day started early, like about midnight, with a lot of light and noise followed by a lot of rain. When we got up we this morning, we weren’t sure what we were going to be able do today or if we would be able to get out very much, but it soon slowed to a drizzle and by about 2 pm, it was sunny. The good thing about the rain, IT’S NOT HOT & HUMID!! In fact right now it’s in the low 70’s. It’s very nice for a change. The bad thing is by the time Phyl got up to close the windows, Bob’s phone, which had been sitting on the shelf under the...

Aug 3, 2012 - Scenic Byways

This morning we drove over to Wabasha, MN to the National Eagle Center. This is a habitat for bald eagles that are unable to be released back into the wild since they cannot fly. They have 5 bald eagles and 1 golden eagle. The youngest is 3 years and the oldest is 31. It’s a neat place and they do good work. They have an area where you can get up close and personal with the eagles. It’s also a small museum. Wabasha is located where the Mississippi River, the Missouri River and the Chippewa River merge and apparently the turbulence does not...

Aug 1, 2012 - down day

Today was a down day. We had to wait until almost noon before we were picked up by Enterprise. After getting the rental, we ate lunch at ARBYS (oh the excitement) then went to Walmart for supplies. It was almost 4 pm by the time we returned to "G/G", so we decided to wait and start our sightseeing tomorrow. Phyl did laundry, we ate a bit of dinner, sat outside and read for a while then dipped our tootsies in the pool. Now it's almost dark so we're in for the night. Tomorrow should be more informative and exciting. Good night to all.

Jul 31, 2012 - "Food Day"

This is "Food Day" because we visited two food places, we mean besides McDonalds. We departed Sioux Falls about 1000 and made our way into MN into the "Valley of the Jolly Green Giant, HO, HO, HO" . As it turns out, Blue Earth, MN is where the Green Giant cans his corn and peas. There is a statue with a small gift shop. There is supposed to be a museum also, but we didn't drive around to find it. In fact the whole thing merits only about three lines in the official MN Visitors Book. Blue Earth is at exit 119 off I-90 and so for 119 miles...

Jul 18, 2012 - Rochester, MN

Cycled from Mankato to Rochester, Minnesota today. Not much to show from Rochester -- we stayed a little way out of town and I didn't get any pictures. There was a cool mural in West Concord where we took a SAG stop. Also we saw a mother and daughter getting the daughter's sheep ready for the 4H fair. There is still a rural America filled with nice people.

Jul 8, 2012 - Rochester, MN

Today was a fun family day. We spent the day at Bobbie and Frank's (Larry's sister and husband. They had lunch and dinner for us. The kids had fun going through old photographs and seeing everyone so much younger. Still a little too warm to do anything outside. It was also Larry's niece's birthday so we went to the Elk's Lodge in the evening to help celebrate. Get together's for The Olson clan always consists of a large group. This evening it was a couple beers, pizza and birthday cake. Happy Birthday Alison!

Jul 4, 2012 - Rochester, MN

It's too hot to do anything! Don't think you want to hear about us sitting in the air conditioning so we won't bore you with that! 100 degrees here, 93 in Phoenix. What is wrong with that picture?? We did wonder out to watch the fireworks. It's so hot there are no mosquitoes!

Jul 2, 2012 - Rochester, MN

We have moved to Rochester which is 50 miles northwest of Whalan. We have parked the motorhome in Gloria's (Larry's sister) driveway. The air is running and will probably be on for the rest of the week. Temps are in the high 90's. Nothing like heading out of the desert to escape the heat and bringing the heat with us. Movies and swimming will have to keep the boys entertained.

Jun 23, 2012 - Taliesin - Spring Green, WI and Effigy Mounds - Iowa

This wasn't supposed to go out last night - I wasn't finished. Still a work in progress. Sorry but I have to add one, maybe two, more things about The House on the Rock. It was like wandering through a cave that had been designed and decorated by an architect/interior designer. And, the circus building had over 1 million pieces in the collection of miniature circuses. Okay, with that being said, I am done with the House. Today is a travel day toward North Dakota , but Bob and I have things we need to see first. Our friends left at...

Feb 7, 2012 - Rochester, Minnesota

We're back in Rochester, MN. We had a great trip to CA. It was great to see our new granddaughter Zoey, Emily, Anthony, Carroll, Josette, Michael, Kathy, Pierce, Christi, Jennifer, Mary, Ken, Chuck, Shirley, Dolly, Ann, Roy, LoAnne, Bill, and Randy. We didn't get to see Gail, Herb and Robin due to illness (on their part) and MANY others - not enough time and energy. The weather was great for us, all the visiting was wonderful, the airplane ride and everything was good, except for the tearful goodbyes. We will be in Rochester, MN until at...