Family Times

We needed to have a few repairs done on our trailer, so we dropped it off on Monday.  Of course, then we needed a place to stay.  The first day, we stayed at Jim & Pat Gilkerson's - next door to our old house.  It was a little strange.  We missed seeing them as they were in Cozumel, but appreciate the hospitality.  After we finished up our loose ends in Stillwater, we headed out to Brooke & Johnny's house at Bel Farm in Maple Plain.

Brooke manages the farm, and was fixing the lawnmower deck when we arrived.  We were impressed.  The farm is beautiful, and immaculately cared for. 

Ron & I had always wanted to see the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, so we decided to play tourist and go.  It is a beautiful place.  I wish I had gone to it when I had a yard!  There are trees, shrubs, perennials, wild flowers - all along beautiful pathways with sculptures and beautiful glass works. 

There was a pond with a female Hooded Merganser and 13 tiny little babies.  I've seen pictures of babies climbing on their mother's back, but these were swimming around her.

I know - it's hard to see, but I was excited.

We also saw lots of the Minnesota state flower, the Showy Lady Slipper.

And the large glass sculptures were amazing.  All of them were done by the same artist and were placed all over the Arboretum.   I highly recommend a visit. Landscape Arboretum

We also enjoyed the drive to the Arboretum.  The countryside is beautiful.  The area Brooke & Johnny live in has some of the most beautiful farms I've ever seen - even in Kentucky!

Thursday, Guido had an appointment with the vet for teeth cleaning.  Poor guy had to have 7 teeth pulled - he was exhausted!

 

Friday Alycia came to join us for a visit to Woodland Hill Winery in Delano, then to dinner in Delano.  We had a great time!

 

Tomorrow we head north to meet Jeff & Kathy at Campers Paradise.