Final July Road Trip

As I look back on the summer of 2016, it is impossible to list the BEST thing I did. It was a wonderful time, from beginning to end. I loved doing Grandma Camp with the kids...and John is loving his retirement, he is feeling well and golfing often. Ross graduated and became a Registered Nurse. Every week, I planned a special activity with my girlfriends. IT WAS A MAGNIFICENT SUMMER.

But, my last road trip of the summer was definitely one of the highlights. I was headed north (WAY FAR north) to the Northern Lights Music Festival. Classical music on the Minnesota Iron Range!!

I left my house on a beautiful, clear day. The July sky was AWESOME.

The first leg of the trip was from my house to Minneapolis (7 hours) to pick up a friend at the airport.

I made a few stops along the way to stretch my legs...(and look at a map -- remember -- I am traveling WITHOUT A SMARTPHONE).

In a random parking lot, this vehicle caught my eye.  I sooo wanted to wait around to see who it belonged to. But -- I WAS IN A HURRY...

Unfortunately, about four hours into the trip -- it started to rain.

By the time I arrived at the airport, it was a relief to be in an underground garage...even if the traffic there was horrendous...

So -- who was I picking up in Minneapolis?  MY FRIEND PAT..!! She flew in from Seattle -- just to attend the opera on the Minnesota Iron Range.

We spent our first night in a little town just north of Minneapolis. The next day, we drove to Aurora. (another five hours)...where we were greeted by --- drum roll....

Mary Mulari, the hostess with the mostest, who had a special lunch for us. PASTYS.  The local hand pie was a staple of miners in the area.  It is a meat pie made with rutabagas and other root vegetables.  DELICIOUS

And Mary's friend, Nancy Harp -- delivered a HOMEMADE BLUEBERRY PIE.

I cannot imagine anything more wonderful than a TWO PIE LUNCH...

After lunch, Mary showed us some of the projects she was working on for her next taping of Sewing With Nancy.

We also got a nice report about her recent trip to Finland (she made this crossover apron out of Marrimeko fabric)...

OH, YEAH -- THIS IS GONNA BE FUN!!