Minneapolis

Drove downtown into the city of Minneapolis, visited the site of Mary Tyler Moore statue. Tried some cheese and caramel popcorn. Tasty. Visited a pretty little Island called Nicollett. Paula had organized a picnic in Minnehaha park with some of her family and friends. Was lovely although the heavens opened up, lucky we were under cover as it was a very heavy downpour. Thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone. After dark we went on the Minnehaha falls. Very pretty at night.

We had a wonderful time with Paula, Ricardo and Olivia, and so much appreciated their great hospitality.

  

                Nicollett Island is a pretty little Island with a function Centre 

Minnehaha falls

Minnehaha falls

The Mall of America has its own theme park

Mary Tyler Moore statue in Minneapolis. I used to watch her TV show many years ago 

Day 3 Sunday 28th June

Minneapolis
Today we visited Paula's sister  Lisa and husband in St. Paul. They showed us their lovely garden and we sat out under the shady tree and chatted. It was a lovely warm day. I remarked about how cute the squirrels were. I sure got a reaction from Lisa, it appears they are destructive like our possums.

We then visited the old flour mill and we're lucky to have Paula's daughter Olivia, as our guide. It was interesting to find that the flour dust had ignited and caused a huge explosion in which 8 people had lost their lives. I do recall the name Gold Medal flour. I wonder if we had it in Australia.

I also found out Betty Crocker was not a real person. It was just a marketing strategy. Shock horror

Olivia doing her thing.

Ricardo's shop displaying his brilliant art work.

Enjoying an evening picnic at Lake Powderhorn

A woodchuck also called a groundhog. Funny always thought they were different animals

Every day we would eat outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Also enjoyed these little squirrels playing. So cute

Minneapolis

Day 1 Saturday 27th June

First day we visited the Farmers Market only a couple of blocks away from Paula's house. After making a few purchases we walked home slowly meeting a few of Paula's friendly neighbour's. 
Listening to the good entertainment at the farmers market.

Train near farmers market

Tiny solar house and solar shop

Mural in a Mexican part of town.

Tried a Mexican chicken tamale and a fizzy apple drink from a Mexican shopping mall. The tamale was delivered in a corn husk, had shredded chicken and corn in a dough.

On our way

Heading out of Melbourne first stop Sydney. No problem there, long flight to Dallas. Food wasn't too bad lots of nibbles and drinks. Watched a couple of movies, tatted a little, napped a little. We finally arrive in Dallas.Then things went pear shaped. It took us so long to get off the plane, the queue through customs was long and slow. We just got through as our connecting plane was about to leave for Minneapolis. Checking our ticket we had to find our way to terminal C. Panic, where is terminal C. Someone kindly showed us how to get the train to terminal C. When we arrived at terminal C we checked the board only to find our flight was changed to terminal D aannd lucky for us our flight was delayed an hour. So back on train to terminal D. Whew..deep breaths relax. And then our flight was delayed another hour. Note to self for connecting flights check boards first as flights change. Flying out there were 12 planes ahead of us on the tarmac waiting to go.
We finally arrive in Minneapolis to find Paula waiting for us excitedly.
After 49 years of writing to my penpal it was great to finally meet her and her family.

Griffith

On we travel enjoying the countryside whilst staying warm in the car. Entering Griffith we pass many citrus orchards. We make our way to a lovely, quiet caravan park on the other side of town. Unhook and make some lunch before heading off to the information Centre where we pick up a map and pick out a couple of places of interest.
First stop was the hermits cave high up above the town. This was some rocks where Italian migrant Valerio Ricetti who had fallen on hard times had made some caves into his home. He had a Chappel, a kitchen with a fireplace, bedroom and another rooms neatly cleaned out and made very comfortable. He had made a garden growing his own vegetables  and with the rabbits he could find in the paddocks he managed to live quite well. Aparantly he was thought to be a spy when the war broke out so was taken and locked up before they realized he wasn't  a threat. When he was finally released he went back to live in the caves. Ricetti found work on a friends orchard and when he had saved enough money, went back to Italy where he stayed until he passed away.

The chapel

The kitchen

Outside with the path and remains of the garden.

Griffith April 2015

Impromptu trip to Griffith this weekend. Weather was wet and windy. We travelled through the little town of Coleambally. Time for a cuppa. Nev found a local to chat to as usual. So I was able to chat to his other half. We learned that most of the residents of Coleambally are retirees or workers on the surrounding properties. The local properties mostly have cotton, rice, beef and sheep. The rice and cotton were being harvested at present.

A bit of information about the huge drag line at Coleambally 

Nev catching up with a local.

America

Off we go again. I can't  believe we are planning another trip overseas especially so soon. This time we are heading for the USA.
I am finally meeting my pen friend of about 48 years. Who would have thought that a name and address of a person so far away I was given in primary  school would continue all this  time. Most of my classmates who received their pen friends at that time have lost touch over the years. So, after many years of saying that I hope to meet my pen friend one day, I am going to meet my pen friend. Can't wait.