Long Road Home

We left Minnesota early Friday morning and traveled through North Dakota, South Dakota & Wyoming. Rolling green hills, windy plains, cattle country & no mans land.






Lots of this through Wyoming. After 13 hours in the road we pulled over in Casper for a load of laundry & a few winks.





We stopped in Rock Springs, WY at a 50's burger joint for lunch. The kids were stoked to get shakes.






Here is a view from inside Rock Springs.




Wyoming seems to be the energy state. We saw refineries, oil pumping, coal mining, fracking and wind farming.






When we reached Utah we were elated to see less arid land and some mountains.




Here is the view from our hotel in downtown SLC. You cannot see it clearly, but this is the LDS business college in front of BYU.




After a LONG couple days in the car, Michael & I needed to stretch our legs. We went sight seeing downtown. It's a very nice urban center. The light rail is free for travelers within the downtown.

We stopped by the big Temple downtown. It was beautifully landscaped.











Later we stumbled upon a business called BTG. It was a wine bar that served small plates and flights of wine. It was PHENOMENAL! We started with the bone marrow served with a bacon jam and a smoked fennel with baby greens, apples and blue cheese salad.






The decor was fun. Lights over the bar hung in old wine bottles.




Chandeliers were made from wine glasses.


Love a good Napoleon quote.




They modified their chicken to be gluten free. Served with kale, bacon, roasted garlic, mashed potatoes & a Demi glacé made from Madeira and honey.





Here is Michael in front of the windmill display in front of the convention center.




We found the space alien missionaries in the spaceship on my Roadside America App. They are right in front of the Salt Lake Brewing Company. Awesome!








Note their ties!



Michael in front of the Utah Jazz arena.




Tomorrow we start the last leg of our drive through the Salt Flats, Nevada, over the Sierras and home to the valley. We are ready to come home. What a great trip.

Day 2: Divide & Conquer

Today was our second day of the gathering. After much milling about and many conversations at the hotel it was decided that Rex & Caleb would go for a bike ride, CJ & company would go on a beer run and that we would all meet up at Kevin's around noon to make plans for the day.



















Once at Kevin & Karin's, it was decided that CJ, Hugh, Karin, Evan, Callie, Scott, Dawn, Rex & Valerie would head over to Fargo for the North Dakota State Fair.






Kevin, Caleb, Michael, Rex and I would go fishing on the Red River. Fun Fact#1: with a state fishing license, North Dakotans can fish either side of the river. Minnesotans can only fish their side.

Fun Fact#2: the Red River flows from South to North here!










We caught many snags here under the bridge.








We happened to notice this kid strolling by with a huge fish. At first he did not want to disclose the location of his awesome fishing hole. But he took pity on us and let the cat out of the bag.








Here we go to the fishing hole!








At first we didn't catch much but scenery ...








And Kevin was kind enough to reattach at least 6 hooks and worms and sinkers after I caught many a snag.







But then, success! Michael caught about 3 fish.









Caleb caught a fish and a tan.







Kevin and I persevered but seemed to attract wood.








Rex caught fish.





I finally caught the world's smallest catfish.





Later we met up at Caleb's house for the 2nd night of the big family get together.

Here are Addy & Brandon with Evan & Jay.






Here's Kate with her fiancée and Jay.









Brandon & Addy.








Caleb & Callie with Roscoe.







Amira held court with Evan & Jay.









CJ in the mix.







We are all a bit tuckered out and full from an awesome BBQ at Caleb's place.









Wilhelms represent.








Much hilarity!

















Do the wheelbarrow!








Roscoe








Alice








A few more laughs and then goodnight until the morning when we all go separate ways... Eagle Grove, IA, Phoenix, AZ and Casper, WY,







What fantastic fun! Thanks, Minnesotans!

Family Reunion 2015

After a long drive through Montana and North Dakota, we finally made it to Minnesota. We were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by the family in the hotel lobby. So we snatched up someone to take a photo of the momentous occasion.




Wednesday started as a rainy day full of sleeping in followed by trampolining and shopping and then the big dinner at Kevin & Karin's house.

Scott explained some of Grandpa's military trappings to a Kevin & Hugh.











Dawn prepared an amazing gluten and dairy free blueberry tart for dessert.





Caleb & Callie are all grown up and full of fun ideas. Our kids are having a blast with them. I'm so excited they can meet.




We all kept Kevin company while he grilled for about 20 people!

















Next we invaded the downstairs dining room. It was an impressive gathering. Everyone brought food to share. So delicious! But the best part was the company.











Here's Dawn's dessert.






Here is Kate with little Jay (age 2). And Kate will have a baby in October.





Brandon & Abby (Jay's parents) are on the end. What a fun group!





Karin plays grandma (Guaca?) to Evan and Jay.




After dinner we each painted a bowl. A little wine, music & good company. Fun bowls!


































Amira took photos of everyone at the bowl painting. Caleb is goofy!





Rica, Caleb's girlfriend.





If you slap Scott on the back when he makes this face, it could stay that way forever!



More adventures tomorrow!