The deep blue sea

Our " cruise ship" waiting for us to board.

Our getaway to the "distant" city of San Diego!

The Hilton

    We realized that since moving to CA we just don't go anywhere for a weekend. All of our trips involve longer stays- kind of miss going to someone's house for the weekend. My wonderful husband suggested using some of his Hilton Honor points to spend a night away from home. I opted for the Hilton right on San Diego Bay.  It was a great choice- glorious views!

A super yacht which hails from London.

Perfect night for strolling along the waterfront

My date for supper in the Gaslamp District

Dessert at Ghirardelli of course!

View from our room. We overlooked Petco Park also and watched their fireworks.

Daytime view

And this view also….

A glorious day for a hike at Torrey Pines

In my happy place!

Minnesota State Fair

You are in Deere country

I bet even if I hadn't labeled this post as "Minnesota State Fair" you could have guessed just by the photos! Part of the fair is called "The Northwoods".  It was a sweltering hot day close to 100 with matching humidity.  We didn't go until late afternoon but it was still HOT!!!

Wondering how this is possible in such heat? Note that ice is in quotation marks.

Was not tempted to try all the forms of spam.

Cute couple with their fried vegies.

Quite a sight! There were less weird people than other fairs I have been to.

14 little piggies and one big momma

1 day old

P

Pretty sure these two will own a cow someday.

A fair classic- Sweet Martha's warm chocolate chip cookies with all you can drink milk.

Minneapolis- The setting

  Well I was gone so long to Minneapolis that this will have to be a multi part post or your eyes will glaze over! It was strange to be in the midwest for nearly 3 weeks and not even set foot in the Milwaukee area. The green was again kind of overwhelming- and yes I turned my phone on during the flight and we didn't crash….
   Tristan bought a duplex in S. Minneapolis and we the parents decided we best hurry on over to advise and paint! He will live on the main level and rent out the top unit and the basement efficiency unit too. It is a 70's model and needs some updating and lots of paint. It is right near the airport, the light rail system, and the Mississippi River. A wonderful location! No airport noise and only the gentle ding-ding of the quiet light rail.

His front porch

I approved of the fact that there were flower beds and flower pots all over.

This park is 1 block from Tristan's. A beautiful walk along that mighty river.

Minnehaha Falls is at one end of the park

A cute casual restaurant in the park. Pretty sure it is not open in the winter!

A very cute couple! Brooke is living in St Paul- the other twin city. 

Brooke's college- St Katherine's. She is working on her nursing degree.

Beautiful perennials in the park.

This guy ( John Stevens) was the original founder of Minneapolis and that is his house behind him

and his outhouse!