Target Run
Grocery Run
Dollar Store Run
Costco Run
TJ Maxx Run
Drugstore Run
Air B&B?
All set!
But, boy, are my legs tired!
Grocery Run
Dollar Store Run
Costco Run
TJ Maxx Run
Drugstore Run
Air B&B?
All set!
But, boy, are my legs tired!
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
It's Fun to Go to the YMCA
We thought it would be a good idea to join the Y here in Rochester so that we would have a go to place to exercise while we here. It was super easy to sign up online, so today we went down to pick up our ID cards, see the facility, and get in a quick workout.
It was gigantic, and we knew there were locker rooms, 2 gyms, several studios, 4 racquetball courts, a weight and machine room, massage, personal training, 2 pools, and a hot tub. It also turned out to be a place run by children, and at this time of year-- summer camp season-- its focus was also children.
Being teachers came in handy, though: being surrounded by kids felt normal, and we prompted the young employees to give us an overview, if not a tour, of the building. All in all? The place had everything we need, and the price was right.
It was gigantic, and we knew there were locker rooms, 2 gyms, several studios, 4 racquetball courts, a weight and machine room, massage, personal training, 2 pools, and a hot tub. It also turned out to be a place run by children, and at this time of year-- summer camp season-- its focus was also children.
Being teachers came in handy, though: being surrounded by kids felt normal, and we prompted the young employees to give us an overview, if not a tour, of the building. All in all? The place had everything we need, and the price was right.
Monday, July 29, 2019
To the Dogs
What! Yet another acres-wide, field-of-dreams dog park surrounded by woods and cornfields and community gardens and then? A shopping spree at the pet supply store! Later on, it was a walk on Silver Lake and then along the Cascade Creek.
I'd say Lucy is having a pretty fine vacation here in Rochester, MN.
I'd say Lucy is having a pretty fine vacation here in Rochester, MN.
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Outpost Established
Our station wagon was stuffed full when we headed south from the Twin Cities on the last leg of our journey to Rochester, MN. Here, we have rented a comfortable two bedroom loft-style condo which will be our home base for the next three and a half weeks. Like every other vacation rental I have ever stayed in, the place easily absorbed what seemed like way too much when it was jammed into a car, and we already have a list of essentials to buy tomorrow.
After a rainy day of organizing, packing, traveling, unloading, and unpacking, almost any dinner might have been good enough, but even so, I was able to use some of the provisions we packed and the barebones equipment that was provided to cook a pretty satisfying meal for me, Heidi, and my mom.
We're off to a good start!
After a rainy day of organizing, packing, traveling, unloading, and unpacking, almost any dinner might have been good enough, but even so, I was able to use some of the provisions we packed and the barebones equipment that was provided to cook a pretty satisfying meal for me, Heidi, and my mom.
We're off to a good start!
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Perfect Pit Stop
The hotel we stayed in last night may not have been the best, but we agreed that it was sufficient (although barely) for the 8 hours of our lives we spent there, especially since we slept through most of them.
The dog park we found about 10 minutes away was a whole nother story: situated on the site of a historic homestead and farm, the huge, grassy fenced enclosure was surrounded on three sides by reestablished prairie. At the far end there were a couple of sandy paths that led into a stand of dark hardwoods. Upon further exploration, we found that the park was actually triple the size it seemed-- these woods were also fenced and the several little trails through them designed for dogs and their people to ramble.
The morning was warm and breezy and there were a few friendly dogs for Lucy to run with. After a pleasant thirty minute, the three of us piled back into the Subaru, ready for the next leg of our most epic road trip yet.
The dog park we found about 10 minutes away was a whole nother story: situated on the site of a historic homestead and farm, the huge, grassy fenced enclosure was surrounded on three sides by reestablished prairie. At the far end there were a couple of sandy paths that led into a stand of dark hardwoods. Upon further exploration, we found that the park was actually triple the size it seemed-- these woods were also fenced and the several little trails through them designed for dogs and their people to ramble.
The morning was warm and breezy and there were a few friendly dogs for Lucy to run with. After a pleasant thirty minute, the three of us piled back into the Subaru, ready for the next leg of our most epic road trip yet.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Barrington Road
How surprised were we when we pulled into our hotel just outside Chicago at a little after 11:30 to find the reception area packed and a line out the door to check in? Upon further investigation, we found that all the other guests were of Indian descent, many of them dressed in traditional clothing. A quick internet search revealed that we were in a suburb known for its Indian community.
The clerk, too, was a gray-haired Indian guy. “Sorry about the wait,” he apologized when it was finally my turn to check in.
“I had no idea you would be so busy this late!” I said.
“There’s a big wedding and—” he shrugged and swept his arm around the lobby and to the door where 8 more guests were pulling suitcases in. I saw a tall stack of numbered envelopes behind the desk just like the one he handed me with our key cards. “It’s going to be a long night.”
The clerk, too, was a gray-haired Indian guy. “Sorry about the wait,” he apologized when it was finally my turn to check in.
“I had no idea you would be so busy this late!” I said.
“There’s a big wedding and—” he shrugged and swept his arm around the lobby and to the door where 8 more guests were pulling suitcases in. I saw a tall stack of numbered envelopes behind the desk just like the one he handed me with our key cards. “It’s going to be a long night.”
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Mismanagement
Heidi had several medical appointments today, and round one was blood work in the lab. It’s a take-a-number system: a little bell rings when the number changes and you show yourself back through the heavy wooden door. As such, the reception window is vacant, but it still offers a portal into the collection sites.
Shortly after we sat down, a high pitched scream pierced the waiting room. What followed was ten excruciating minutes where everyone in the chairs squirmed as a little child hysterically resisted a blood draw. The numbers stopped changing completely as all the lab techs and her grandmother tried to manage the meltdown, and it was heartbreaking to hear her panic rise as well as frustrating to listen to the adults’ misguided approaches to the situation.
At long last we heard the sing-songy voice of a man croon, "You're all finished!" followed by a loud sniff and then silence punctuated quickly by the return of the bell signaling another patient to go back. But all eyes were on the door when it slowly opened from the inside and a little girl in pink trudged out trailed by a stooped woman with gray hair.
"Now I'm afraid to go back there!" one woman told the child in an attempt to leaven the room, but the little girl just wiped a tear and ran down the hallway toward the exit.
Shortly after we sat down, a high pitched scream pierced the waiting room. What followed was ten excruciating minutes where everyone in the chairs squirmed as a little child hysterically resisted a blood draw. The numbers stopped changing completely as all the lab techs and her grandmother tried to manage the meltdown, and it was heartbreaking to hear her panic rise as well as frustrating to listen to the adults’ misguided approaches to the situation.
At long last we heard the sing-songy voice of a man croon, "You're all finished!" followed by a loud sniff and then silence punctuated quickly by the return of the bell signaling another patient to go back. But all eyes were on the door when it slowly opened from the inside and a little girl in pink trudged out trailed by a stooped woman with gray hair.
"Now I'm afraid to go back there!" one woman told the child in an attempt to leaven the room, but the little girl just wiped a tear and ran down the hallway toward the exit.
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