Minneapolis, MN

"Song of Hiawatha Garden"

Uncle Boyd and his giant TV!

Uncle Boyd, Angela and Aunt Dixie at the Minnehaha Falls.

Angela, Aunt Dixie, and me at the Minnehaha Falls.

What a busy Saturday! After Carissa's bridal shower, dinner with Liz and Kyle at Maggiano's Little Italy and seeing Adam and Anthony in Rent at the Fox, I was a bit wiped out. I got up early Sunday morning and packed for my trip to Minnesota. I planned an early flight out of St. Louis so I could visit Ken's Aunt Dixie and Uncle Boyd who live in a condo in downtown Minneapolis.

Upon arriving in Minneapolis I called Aunt Dixie and Uncle Boyd and headed to their condo. We were so excited to see each other and I was delighted that Ken's cousin Angela, who I had never met, was there to greet me as well. I got a tour of their beautiful condo and we had a nice conversation in their living room. I got to see Uncle Boyd's new 55 inch flat screen TV. It has all the bells and whistles and a beautiful picture. Although the TV is impressive, the picture on the TV can't compare to the beautiful views of downtown Minneapolis Aunt Dixie and Uncle Boyd have when they look out the picture windows that surround their condo!

Aunt Dixie and Uncle Boyd are both educators and we always have plenty to talk about. The moment I met them I felt a strong connection to them and I am delighted my work brought me to Minneapolis! I also enjoyed talking to Angela and getting to know her. I found out I have a lot in common with her as well, and I hope I have the opportunity to meet her husband James on a future visit. James is a doctor and he was out of town on business during my visit.

After the condo tour, we headed to see Minnehaha Falls. The weather in Minneapolis was unseasonably cold, so we bundled up as we walked to see the falls. They were beautiful! I was glad I brought my camera so I could snap some pictures.

The 193-acre park features a 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs and river overlooks. The park contains oak, elm, silver maple, basswood, hackberry and cottonwood trees, as well as native and prairie woodland wild flowers. The 53 ft high falls are where Minnehaha Creek, which starts at Lake Minnetonka, flows to the Mississippi River. The surrounding area, including the gorge cut by the receding falls, is a state park. Aunt Dixie told me in winter, the falls are usually frozen in a dramatic cascade. We also visited the "Song of Hiawatha Garden" at the park. Circling the garden is a stone wall with a portion of Longfellow’s Song of Hiawatha poem cut into the stone along with detailed art sketches. We admired the beautiful purple lilac's blooming in the garden.