Minneapolis, MN

To quote a friend of mine..."Minni-what? Surely there are better places to go!" Well, I will have to disagree and say that our time spent in Minneapolis was quite lovely! We met my Dad and his wife Valerie there and had a fun-filled 3 day weekend, including a great hotel with morning swims every day!







Here is the reason we went...to attend a West family reunion get together. I met many branches of Wests that I never had met before (nor could I keep track of how we are related either!) In talking with family members, we enjoyed getting to know what life is like in the Midwest, an area of the states new to us.









Chris, me, Dad and Valerie.


















As usual, Reid was a super traveller. After spending the day with the Wests, we enjoyed checking out downtown Minneapolis and what it had to offer. Here is Reid with the "Gold Medal Flour" building in the background.













We walked on a popular waterfront walkway and over the historic Stone Arch Bridge which spans part of the mighty Mississippi River.















Grandma Valerie, Grandpa John, and little Reid loving time exploring together.















The locks and dam in the Mississippi River.























The Mill Museum. A fantastic new structure built out of an old one. I love the architecture.



















The Falls in downtown Minneapolis. A view from the Stone Arch Bridge. Note the ominous sky...















Even Reid likes to feel the wind blowing through his hair! Once again, enjoying checking out waterfalls. Little did we know that the wind started picking because a huge thunderstorm was about to attack.

We thought we had more time, so we walked across the Stone Arch Bridge itself and then made a run for a Gazebo in which many fellow Minnesotans joined us for a good 30 minutes or so of a torrential downpour.

Tired of waiting, we emerged from our shelter and made a run for it back across the Stone Arch Bridge. Luckily, shortly after, it blew over! Chris stayed a bit behind and captured the rest of us jogging back to the car.

The next day, while the men golfed, the women (and Reid) went to St. Paul (Minneapolis' Twin City) and took a river boat cruise on the Mississippi. I was so excited to be on the River and tried to teach Reid how to spell it. Don't you remember growing up and singing M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i? Maybe that was just an Oregon thing...







On the River cruise ship, ready for a great ride.

Here is a view of St. Paul as we were coming back. It really is a beautiful city.

The St. Paul Cathedral. My picture from the boat doesn't quite do it justice, up close, it was immaculate and impressive.

Reid enjoyed wearing Grandma's bracelets all weekend! Here he is having some bonding time with Grandma Valerie (or 'Granma Vowerie' as Reid says).

The land of 10,000 lakes is not a misnomer! While the guys were still playing golf, Valerie and I took Reid to a 5 lake park with a fabulous playground.

Our happy boy collecting goose feathers at the park! If you blow up this picture, you can see the pure joy of Reid. It is now our computer screen saver.

The final day of our trip, while waiting for our flight, we checked our bags and took the light rail to the Mall of America. (If you haven't heard, it is the largest mall in America) and it is wild! The 4 story mall surrounds an amusement park of wild theme rides and just a general kids paradise. Here is Reid and I with the craziness behind us!

Chris and Reid in front of the Sponge Bob fountain. Reid's eyes were huge as he checked out all of the wild rides and happenings around him.

Fun trip! We are always up for visiting a new place and learning about life around the states and world! Thanks Dad and Valerie. :)