We left Rockaway Beach under a cloudy sky for the ride back to Portland. Stopped off in Garibaldi, just down the road, and managed to sneak some nickels onto the train tracks before the tourists rumbled by. Kelley Point Park in Portland is a fun “in the city” spot to … Read More
Minnesota Summer
When we visit Minnesota we feel like we need to see everyone. As if we might not be back again for years. That was the case when we were sailing around the world, but since then our visits home have probably been more regular—and certainly longer—than they would be if … Read More
Little House on the Prairie
Up early in Springfield, MN, this morning we gathered ourselves up and went for a stroll around town. Came across a beautiful mural without any hint of graffiti. I don’t know if kids are just this good in Springfield or if they’ve been threatened with death, but it’s working. The … Read More
A Minnesota Send-Off
Since the State Fair life has been one big letdown. No cheese curds, no corn dogs, no mini-donuts, nothing. We did hang out with friends, go boating at my dad’s house, and spend a long weekend at the lake with Ali’s family—all of which was nice too, I guess. But … Read More
Minnesota State Fair
There are a few things that are quintessentially Minnesota: snow, ice, humidity, mosquitos, and the State Fair. We love the fair, and are always happy when we can time a visit to coincide with it. We’ve been to a lot of fairs on our travels, but none compare to Minnesota’s. … Read More
Family Fix in MN
Back in the States doing normal in-the-states things. Like, I took a picture of a bee on a walk through a nature park. Because, well, nature. Spent a mid-August day with my dad and his wife, bundled up against the cold. We were too wimpy to take the kids out … Read More
From Snow to Sand
From sledding to sand in just a few hours. There isn’t much to like about flying any more, but bailing out of Minnesota and being thousands of miles south in one non-stop shot is worthy of some praise. I’d still rather drive it, but sometimes even I have to take … Read More
Snow Jumping
For an hour, being outdoors in Minnesota was fun. I took the kids sledding while Ali stayed behind. Ali isn’t the most safety conscious mother out there, but she is certainly a lot quicker to say be careful than I am. So when the kids went from halfway up the hill, … Read More
It’s Finally Flower Girl Day
We’re here for a wedding. February. Minnesota. Seriously. News of Ali’s sister Katy’s impending nuptials first reached us about six months ago. Since then not a day has gone by that we didn’t discuss it. Ouest was due to be the flower girl and Lowe to be the boy with … Read More
Minnesoduh
Lowe puked on Thursday. I followed suit on Sunday. And seven days after Lowe, Ouest let loose all over my dad’s kitchen floor. This, as far as I’m concerned, is Minnesota in winter. The place is hell—froze over. In the past two weeks we’ve spent less than an hour outdoors, … Read More