Minnesota Part 2- Days 37-39

 Day 37- Sunday

Didn't sleep well last night, so I slept in this morning, rather than trying a new church with my mom.  Around 10:30 we started the 100 mile drive down to Four Daughters Vineyard in Spring Valley, MN where we met my aunt and uncle, my cousin and his wife for lunch and
wine tasting.  It has been so long since I've seen all of them (at least 3 years). It was really nice to be able to share an experience and really good food. (They say the pizza's serve 2, but we had 2 pizzas and 6 people and probably had half a pizza left over) The 4D nachos are not what I expected, but they were really good.  The only negative, is that the flights are pre-determined and I would have preferred a choose your own adventure.  My mom and I shared a white wine flight and I got a Loon Juice (Cider) to drink.  I bought a bottle of wine that I think J will be willing to share with me over salmon at home. 

Today I was the driver and after about 200 miles of driving today and crossing the 8000 mile mark over all, I was just really sleepy when we got home, so I napped and ate left overs for dinner. 

Day 38 Monday

Lunch with my college Besties at Pryes Brewing in North Minneapolis.  It's got a great taproom space and outdoor space, but the food was in my opinion over priced for what you got.  It's recommend the place for happy hour drinks and apps after work. 

After lunch I worked my way up to their new home in the "north country" about an hour north of the city. While we drove through a lot of nothingness to get there, their home is situated in a nice neighborhood that you wouldn't be able to single out from any other suburban home. I got lots of snuggles, cuddle, reading time, princess time and love from their 2 daughters, who I feel blessed to be able to spend time with periodically in their childhoods.  

Snuggles with baby

Dinner was picnic foods- Burgers, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and sweet corn- I may have over done it on the sides, but they were really good!  In the evening we shared several of the smoothie beers I brought back from around the country.  It's always good to share good beer with good friends over good conversations.  

I slept in the basement- which I am pleased to inform any of their future travelers saved me from crying baby noises, but it did not save the cat from me.  At some point in the night, the cat decided that I was a pillow and was quite content on top of me--until I flipped over and I have never heard that type of noise come out of a cat before. 

Day 39- Tuesday

For breakfast I was gifted with chocolate chip pancakes (made me miss Uncle Louis- a college breakfast spot).  I got more morning cuddles and snuggles with both girls while watching the first half of Princess and The Frog.  This is a major step up from whatever dino show I got roped into the night before. 

Made it back to my mom's house around noon to have 1 more day of relaxation before I start the 6 day journey home. 

Signing off for now

_C