August Trip West--First Stop Minneapolis

First Stop: Minneapolis, Minnesota

August 15-18

Our 16-day trip across the Western parts of the USA began August 15th in Minneapolis MN, where the Mónica's son, Christian, and his family live (actually in Plymouth MN). Wife, Karen, and kids Catalina (5), Antonio (2) and Constanza (7 months) all joined us for a walk from their beautiful house (above) to a nearby park.

Their neighborhood itself is park-like, with big trees, lots of green space and quiet streets to stroll.

This fun park allowed the kids to show their adventurous spirit, as well as for the parents to show their love, support and style of letting the kids face challenges and grow.

Higher, Daddy, higher!

One of our area tours included a stop at their local recreation center, where, in addition to typical services such as swimming pools or exercise rooms, this facility had three ice skating rinks. Kids of all ages were playing ice hockey, as graceful and sure-footed as professionals!

From the galleries above, parents watch their kids refine skills on ice. There were even cameras and video recordings.

They also brought us to this quaint town of Wayzata, just minutes from their home, alongside one of the thousands of Minnesota's lakes.

This was almost a "fairy tale" type of town, with an old railroad station, ice-cream shops, lakeside beach front, and colorful flowers everywhere.

We had the perfect day to visit: blue skies, clear air, and comfortable temperatures. In winter, these lakes freeze over!

What could be better than fresh ice-cream (note the elbow!), or wind-blown hair at a lakeside?

We made a quick stop at the Minneapolis headquarters for the Menttium Corporation. Artie has been working as a volunteer mentor for this fine organization for a decade, but had not met the key managers face-to-face, (left to right) Lynn, Kim and Theresa.

While in the city of Minneapolis, Christian drove us around town to get an idea of the downtown area.

We were impressed with the variety of beautiful buildings as well as the many "skyways" which allow people to cross from building to building without having to go out in the bitter cold winter weather (note the skyways crossing the streets overhead).

Eight miles of skyways link 69 city blocks, the largest system of its kind in the world.

By coincidence, Artie's niece, Jill, and her son Brian, were in Minneapolis during a cross-country vacation trip together. They stayed at this water-slide hotel, next to the Mall of America, where we all met for lunch.

Adding to the fun reunion, was the fact that Artie's brother, Ray, and wife Shelley joined their daughter and grandson with us for lunch. They had flown out from New Jersey that morning and we all met at the Mall.

Ray and Jill

Brian and Shelley

Brian, with his 3-D glasses, won "first place" in a simulated road race.

It was nice to be able to all get together for lunch and spend a bit of time in the Mall, before Artie's family continued on their trip. Shown above are Antonio (sleeping), Margy, Karen, Catalina, Christian with Constanza, Ray, Brian, Jill and Shelley.

Before leaving this giant Mall, we went into the indoor amusement park (it is a BIG mall!). Catalina really enjoyed the ride, as you can see by the awe and happiness of her face.

A view of the indoor amusement park, and Catalina enjoying a merry-go-round ride all by herself.

Back at Karen and Christian's home we enjoyed seeing Constanza get her early training on computers and reading!

It also looks like Constanza is getting exercise practice, doing push-ups! What a happy little baby.

It was such a joy to see how Karen and Christian were raising their kids to be loving, sharing, happy and creative. The household abounds with love and togetherness.

Every night ended with a bed-time story, animated expressively by Christian. A fun family and a wonderful visit.

We had such good feelings about Minnesota from this visit, that we bought these matching shirts at the airport before we left for Albuquerque NM.

Shown here are the new "Minnesota Twins," back home in New Hampshire, after the trip west.

Next Stop: Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Our 16-day trip across the Western parts of the USA began August 15th in Minneapolis MN, where the Mónica's son, Christian, and his family live (actually in Plymouth MN). Wife, Karen, and kids Catalina (5), Antonio (2) and Constanza (7 months) all joined us for a walk from their beautiful house (above) to a nearby park.


Their neighborhood itself is park-like, with big trees, lots of green space and quiet streets to stroll.


This fun park allowed the kids to show their adventurous spirit, as well as for the parents to show their love, support and style of letting the kids face challenges and grow.


One of our area tours included a stop at their local recreation center, where, in addition to typical services such as swimming pools or exercise rooms, this facility had three ice skating rinks. Kids of all ages were playing ice hockey, as graceful and sure-footed as professionals!


From the galleries above, parents watch their kids refine skills on ice. There were even cameras and video recordings.


		They also brought us to this quaint town of Wayzata, just minutes from their home, alongside one of the thousands of Minnesota's lakes.


				What could be better than fresh ice-cream (note the elbow!), or wind-blown hair at a lakeside?


		We made a quick stop at the Minneapolis headquarters for the Menttium Corporation. Artie has been working as a volunteer mentor for this fine organization for a decade, but had not met the key managers face-to-face, (left to right) Lynn, Kim and Theresa.


Eight miles of skyways link 69 city blocks, the largest system of its kind in the world.


		By coincidence, Artie's niece, Jill, and her son Brian, were in Minneapolis during a cross-country vacation trip together. They stayed at this water-slide hotel, next to the Mall of America, where we all met for lunch.

Adding to the fun reunion, was the fact that Artie's brother, Ray, and wife Shelley joined their daughter and grandson with us for lunch. They had flown out from New Jersey that morning and we all met at the Mall.

Ray and Jill		Brian and Shelley


Brian, with his 3-D glasses, won "first place" in a simulated road race.


It was nice to be able to all get together for lunch and spend a bit of time in the Mall, before Artie's family continued on their trip. Shown above are Antonio (sleeping), Margy, Karen, Catalina, Christian with Constanza, Ray, Brian, Jill and Shelley.


		Before leaving this giant Mall, we went into the indoor amusement park (it is a BIG mall!). Catalina really enjoyed the ride, as you can see by the awe and happiness of her face.


		A view of the indoor amusement park, and Catalina enjoying a merry-go-round ride all by herself.


Back at Karen and Christian's home we enjoyed seeing Constanza get her early training on computers and reading!


It also looks like Constanza is getting exercise practice, doing push-ups! What a happy little baby.


		It was such a joy to see how Karen and Christian were raising their kids to be loving, sharing, happy and creative. The household abounds with love and togetherness.


Every night ended with a bed-time story, animated expressively by Christian. A fun family and a wonderful visit.