So after leaving the farm I headed to Shoreview MN to pick up the cousin for the ride to New Auburn WI for the cousin reunion.  Now Lovise learned a ting or 3 in Shoreview....  Meat Raffles, I never heard of them....  they don't have them in California that I know of.  Next I learn the cousin Amy can sing, and love the karaoke  OMG she would love CA but would only be competing with the Koreans.....  

So below we see cousin Sara sporting the Asian Sunglasses that have been making a hit, no one in WI has seen them there..... 

Nomar (below) finds that they also have gardens in Wisconsin, Sara has lots of goodies growing in her garden, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, lots of basil, pumpkins, corn, gourds, squashes and probably some others I don't remember 

 We also got to go on the 'cocktail' cruises on the pontoon boat Lynn is having a nice glass of wine and is not happy that I got that look on her face, sorry you moved and I couldn't help it

 Cousin Sara is happy it was not a profile and she had her hat on. The son was bright but it was just a bit breezy but very comfortable on Long Lake.

 The sun shining on the lake was a lot prettier than this picture, but for my little Coolpix I think it was a decent picture... 

 Poor Nomar didn't have a life jacket so couldn't go on the cocktail cruise BUT he did get introduced to Fooseball 

 If he wasn't careful he was going to get hurt...  Those foosers didn't know who they were messing with!

 A view from the patio out to the lake, would be nice to look out at this every day, not sure if I could deal with humidity that sometimes accompanies this lovely sight but I could try.

 Sara's garden, beautiful as it was 2 years ago and some things are new and some are gone, no sun flowers due to a fungus that hangs around for some years (according to Dick)  

 For my telephone peep's..... ok this is rural area and they got fiber here and the internet worked good!!! Of course my AT&T cell service had NO BARS!!!!!  Wow what doesn't surprise me about that LOL

 Peggy, Terri and Sara leave Lovise and her cousin Lynn in the dust.....  Lynn has plantar fasciitis and from the description I am grateful I don't have it!!!

 Cousins etc left to right Lynn Ann Miller eldest daughter of Roma Solie Storch, Sara Jo Solie Baer, eldest of Riley Solie, me, eldest of Allen Solie, Amy Solie Stegman (sister to Sara) Terri Biese (in back in purple, daughter of Lynn) and Peggy Miller ( daughter in law to Lynn) There were pictures taken on Lynn's, Peggy's and Terri's cameras so there is no doubt one where we all looked really good but of the 2 taken on mine this is the best...

 Even though Nomar looks old he couldn't have the beer so settled for the root beer

 Last morning at Long Lake so I got up early, put on the jacket (it was a little chilly) and took the picture below..... it was so pretty and peaceful and pretty smooth too. 

Got on the road before noon and Amy was back in Shoreview before 1 PM.  I was off and 'running' headed to Iowa.  Tomorrow a little exploring in Decorah and than on to Mason City to see Donetta... and probably a lot more corn on the way too.  Hope  I might see some fire flies tomorrow night that would be way cool.
Now I think even thought it is early I might have to have a little bath and crawl in early and sleep late..... like that might happen..... 
Lovise will be making more happy trails and headed to meet Michaela in NE....  more picture to be taken and can't wait to get on the road again...... 

Reflection before leaving Flom....

Vell Lovise will be on her own again starting tomorrow and is now reflecting on the last close to a month she has spent vit Telma.  Trying to figure out what was my favorite part of the trip so far, hard to say.  

I loved that Telma talked me into the zip line in Gallatin MT what a thrill!!!  And at this point if I had to pick a highlight of the trip that would probably be it. I loved taking Nomar along for the ride (seen below outside the geysers, Mt Rushmore and Sturgis SD) he will be seeing more of the country soon and get in some pictures!!!

Loved my 'farm' time and all our little adventures here, there and everywhere nearby, and not so nearby.  I will miss seeing deer at dusk, watching for the bear (never saw him/her) and just the relaxation.  
The adventures will continue....... I look forward to hooking up with cousins, meeting new people and seeing parts of the country I have never been to.  So far I have been to 2 new states never been to before (Idaho and Montana) and will get 5 more on the rest of the trip.  All tolled including starting point will have 'hit' 20 states!!! and one Canadian Province (British Columbia)
Along the way have made new cousin connections (In BC) met people from FB groups and will meet more of them, and in general  it can be deemed a success.  Hope the rest of the trip will be as fun filled and adventuresome as the 1st half..... I will miss my 'shotgun' Telma and hope Nomar will do as good a job.....Till the next 'hot spot' for computer connection ...... happy trails.

Lovise loves MN and the wide open spaces

Telma with her recent hair cut doing what she does best, looking over the glasses

Lovise with her new hair cut looking silly 

Ride home from Ulen to the farm, stunning sunset 

 Name these flags at West McDonald Lake

The gnarly tree at the lake

View from the dock at the lake

 Back at the farm, deer in the field and end of driveway all together there were about 8 or 9 depend on who was counting

The beautiful sunset Saturday night, these are the things that make me want to get the hell out of CA or at least the bay area

Thur. or Friday Lovise and Nomar will be headed out by their lonesomes for parts easterly.  I will miss the peace and quiet of the farm and the slower pace of life.  I am sure I will find more along the way and will be seeing family and friends along the way.  
I always knew I should have been a hobo other than at Halloween.  Other than living out of a suitcase I love seeing this country.....  and I think Willy will be singing as I pull out of the long drive way above..... 

On the road again -
Just can't wait to get on the road again.
The life I love is making music with my friends

And I can't wait to get on the road again.
On the road again

Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again

And I can't wait to get on the road again.
On the road again -
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends.
Insisting that the world keep turning our way

And our way
is on the road again.

From Hutch to Flom and around

Per Lila there really is a big ball of twine in a glass case you can see for  FREE 

Stopped in Atwater MN to see Ms Lila and her cutie dog Sadie 

Nothing compared to Altamont Pass but saw one of the blades being transported down the highway HUGE

I am told the Vets memorial is on the Crow River, hence the HUGE crow in front 

The eggs are fresh and are a very light green, therefore I can now say I have had green eggs and  hm

Horse use to belong to the Amish, was given to a friend than the farmer her got her, said she was all skin and bones to begin with.  She is really a beautiful horse now and lives the life of Riley here

A moo moo here and a moo moo there...... 

The calf

Telma gonna see if she can make a connection with the fence  buzzzzzzzzzz 

If you go down in the woods today you better not go alone and you better be able to be loud, run fast and make yourself look big.  This is a utility pole that the bear/s have used to mark their territory 

A little blurry but 2 Bambi's just before the took off

Small town USA love it!!!

Love the country life!!! of life on the farm.  Lovise gets to stay at the farm for a week+ and is loving it.   Thought I would include some picture of the trip back from Hutch and out on the farm and in 'town'.  

Tomorrow will go to get our hairs cut, got to try to be presentable for the rest of the trip.  Hope I can explain to her how my Joann cuts it and it will look as good, probably not but will try.

Stevne in Fargo ND to Verna Fest in Hutchinson MN

The view from our room at the Doublewood Inn & Suites in Fargo.... such a deal LOL.  Loved the hot tub and enjoyed helping people at the Stevne find their roots.  It is always so exciting to see a 1st timer find some of their family in some written form.  Another nice thing is to see some younger people getting interested in their roots...  Next years stevne will be in MADISON WI yipee 
Telma og Lovise are already plotting their next adventure... sky diving, hang gliding oh what kind of trouble might they get into now LOL

Next met up with people from a FB group seated are Margit (aka Telma) Wendy, Lila and Clarissa, I am standing in back (Lovise) After a lot of discussion we finally decided on a place to go and eat  not too far from the hotel

 As the menu stated it was "food with attitude"  It was also YUMMY and I ate too much and I thin some others felt that way too

 Yes I did eat something besides dessert but they do say eat it first because life is short.  A yummy Bailey's cheese cake decadent, almost as good as the one I make myself 

 Back to the room for some jente snakke and a lot of laughs and some Olympics watching, Nomar even got in on the conversation NOT, he just got in the picture

 Thursday night in the hot tub, Telma og Lovise unwind from a day in the genealogy room at stevne in Fargo North Dakota 

  Had a big lunch so this was our last supper in Fargo on Friday night Nomar loved it.  I think the closet DQ to Lovise is in Redwood City.... just a little far to go for a Blizzard, if they are even still open §8-(

 who is that in the mirror on way to Hutch

This is what it is all about

Nomar is grubbin' on some egg bake, there were caramel rolls, fresh fruit more food than you could shake a stick at, and of course on the side board were rice crispy bars, home made chocolate chip cookies and lots more!!!

 The lake at Marcia's in Hutchinson 

 Love the window crayola thingies

 What better to put on ribs than some good BUTT RUB

 Grill master Bill with his new big green egg inaugural grill.  He thinks he needs more practice but the ribs were delicious and I am sure by Verna Fest 2013 they will be perfected.  Also the tri tip done on the weber was AWESOME.  All the food was AWESOME

 A little Arnt (Aka Trygg Bakke) and his mama Mindy

The littlest Verna (aka Mina) and her mama Sarah a middle age Verna

Getting ready for the bubble gum/whip cream game an annual event for all the little Verna's and the Arnt's that get in

 Ready, set....... GO

 Trygg is game for anything, he was the first one with a full face (with out any help) of whipped cream

Not even sure who won but the fun had just begun cause after this picture the whipped cream FLEW  Lovise was out of the way till it stopped flying

 So handy to have a lake in the back yard for the clean up!  

 Telma tinks Lovise is addicted to FB but ya know Lovise had NOT been oh her computer all day..... now who is the addicted one + dat fancy new iPhone.... (ok Lovise played ol' sol on the way home)

 Our youngest thrift store fashion show entrant

 Lovise og Telma clean up pretty good in our Fargo Savers fashions only about $8 each

 Some of the winning fashions, Left Sarah in a lovely wool suit from 1968 and right Claudia in the ???? look 

Marcia still fits into her wedding dress, DISGUSTING, not sure Lovises would come even close to fitting 

 The most unique find and it was FREE 
Ready Killowatt (Arnt was making his presence known)

The Stepford/Sister wives
Lovise, Telma og Lynell

And Ashley gets the best $5 or under prize

< Dog's wife showed up w/o her 'chest'  love this!!!

All in all Verna Fest III was a success and rules are being established for the fashion show next year along with various categories.   As soon as Lovise knows all the rules when she gets back to California she is going to become a thrift store diva!!!  
Sunday it was back to Flom since Telma's man is headed to Sturgis for the Rally, it should be pretty crazy there now...... 

 nowhere to hide the bodies after a night of Verna Fest bingo

Another successful bingo session. Life is good and precious too, celebrate with your families when ever you can, for what ever reason big or small.  This celebration is in honor of Telma's (aka Margit's) mother  and it is GREAT.