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Historic Forestville

We visited Historic Forestville in Preston, MN. I had thought it was bigger; since the website refers to the town. It is, however, the house, store and a few other buildings of the town's (formerly) most influential family. Still, walking into that store and house was like walking into a historic novel. Even though it was raining when we visited, the tours were full and the old town was bustling. The bridge and grounds around the Root River are spectacular.

Mystery Cave

We visited the Mystery Cave in Preston, MN. Our tour guide, Joseph, took us on an hour trip below ground where we saw a number of amazing formations. Most spectacular was the pool of water near the end of the tour. It appeared that the tours were all full so I suggest buying tickets in advance like we did.

Shooting in Minneapolis Park

Shooting in Minneapolis Park UnAssociated Press July 16, 2018 At least 9 shots were fired in a crowded Minnehaha Park yesterday . No one is overly concerned and no protests are planned since police were not involved in the shooting.

Don't Report Bear Sightings!

Wild bears are typically easy to scare away with loud noises. Please don't report bear sightings in Minnesota. The standard practice by "authorities" is to murder the bear "as a threat to humans." http://kstp.com/news/bear-killed-after-wandering-into-minnesota-recreation-area-lake-minnetonka/4979313/

Surf and Turf

Breakfast Burrito

Make Hay While the Sun Shines

We were making hay while the sun was shining at Oliver Kelly Farm yesterday!

Simon Bar Sinister Steals Google Drives

"And when I press the button, everyone's Google Drive will be mine!"

Fort Snelling on July 4th

I took my family to Fort Snelling for July 4th this year and it was an amazing experience! I must applaud the interpretive staff for making it an enjoyable and informative time. We watched dress parades, a mock battle, musket and cannon firing, and listened to the reading of The Declaration of Independence . On our drive over in the morning, we navigated six inch deep puddles in flooded roads as the sky opened up and rain poured down along with lightning and thunder!. When we arrived at the fort, there was a line waiting to check-in despite the weather. It seems that even a monsoon doesn't stop this show! By the time we walked down to the old fort, the sky was beginning to clear and we settled in for a great time. Later, I toured the gallery exhibit, Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience . The entire thing left me feeling humble d. I thought too, of my mother's German-American family, who left their native language and German...

Happy Independence Day!

Weekend Food Highlights

BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

Beans!

The first beans of the season were picked June 30th.

Trump Picks New Supreme Court Justice

Trump Picks New Supreme Court Justice UnAssociated Press June 28, 2018

Political Views Should Not Become Uncivil

I have long marveled at the animosity created by differing political viewpoints. The most recent example of poor judgement, poor behavior and lack of fair play in the "land of the free," is Representative Maxine Waters' call for her supporters to harass Trump officials . That is simply a way to incite mob justice out of a low educated and excitable population. Can we not, as citizens of the United States, disagree without becoming uncivilized and resorting to thug mentality? Perhaps we cannot. There is no ability to agree to disagree on either the far left or far right of the political spectrum. I have a friend and former coworker who won't talk to me because I do not buy into the black lives matter mentality (because it only demands police accountability and does not address social causes). In fact, the liberals, in my opinion, with the message to minorities that they are not required to be responsible for their own actions, is one of the most destructive forces in ...

Mill City Museum

http://www.mnhs.org/millcity

The Traveling Wall

http://www.vvmf.org/twth Now showing at the Minnesota State Capitol!

Children Should Not be Separated from Parents

Whatever your political leanings or your attitude toward President Trump, it should be easy to see that children should not be separated from their parents at the border. As a father, I feel like my child is best cared for and happiest when he is with mom and dad. Whether or not you believe in open borders or strict border control and immigration, especially if you are a parent, you should understand that separating children from their parents is the stuff of governments without conscience s. This is not supposed to be what happens in the USA; but it does. It needs to stop. Process people without terrorizing them and their children. I am totally against the practice of separating children from their parents unless it is for the safety of the children.

Stone Arch Bridge

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/historical_sites/stone_arch_bridge/

Charles Lindbergh House and Museum

We visited the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls , Minnesota. We were impressed because not only was the house (boyhood home) interesting, but there is a multi-level museum and beautiful natural surroundings as well.

SPRUCE Project

We were lucky enough to be given a tour of the SPRUCE Project in the Chippewa National Forest, North of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Our tour guide was W. Robert Nettles IV, SPRUCE Project Operations Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory . I went into the site fueled primarily by my lifetime of interest in the natural environment; as well as my interest from volunteering as a park ranger in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. However, by the time I was done, my interest in technology, from over 10 years as an IT professional, was thoroughly peaked! Definitely off the "beaten path," in a spruce bog in Northern Minnesota, this site boasts an incredible array of scientific equipment that is supported by an amazing technological infrastructure! There are control sites and some of the chambers have added heat, carbon dioxide, or both. A lot of equipment and experimental testing goes on 24/7, 365 days per year. These guys know their stuff. The 10 chambers are connected ...

Forest History Center

We visited the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids , Minnesota. The tour of the 1900 era logging camp was great and was done by interpreters dressed in period clothing. Best was the view from the 100-foot Fire tower!

Trump Pardons His Butt

Donald Trump Pardons His Butt UnAssociated Press June 6, 2018 Donald Trump pardoned his presidential butt today; even though his butt has done nothing wrong —except for making most of his decisions and at least half of the president's tweets. His butt had no comment at the time this story went to press.