| Touchdown SEA-TAC 9 February, and I continue to take the fabulous weather with me wherever I go. It's a wonderful day in Washington State, and the approach by air looks just glorious. | |
| Susan Collicott and her friend Andy found me at the airport, and took me on a tour of Seattle's finest views before dropping me at Ginger's home, where we all enjoyed a lovely dinner. |  |
| Next day we took in more sights, with a walk through the Pike (Street? Place?) Market, and a ferry ride to Bainbridge - as you can see from the picture, the mountain was out in all his glory. We visited the Seattle Aquarium, with its fur seals, otters, puffins and the resident octopus (and his lovely attendant). We had lunch, and took a quick ride on the tram, fully imported from Melbourne, complete with notices directing enquiries to the Collins Street office. | 
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| Before dinner we searched
for and found the legendary troll of Seattle - so Susan and I took the
opportunity of having our photo taken with him. Under his right
hand (out of shot) is a Volkswagen Beetle - poor thing.
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Onward to Minneapolis, where Philip Sellew found me and took me home. Here, I finally met some real snow. Next day Kyle and Kathleen took me out for the day, first for brunch, and then to Stillwater. We browsed (drooled) our way through some lovely antique and book shops, I was showered with gifts, and a generally great time was had. Lots of snow. First two photos: Stillwater: Kyle and I; Kyle and Kathleen |
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Saturday night was the biggie: Minnesota Lissun Gathering III - and we weren't disappointed. This picture is of most of the lissuns present, brandishing in various ways the party favours thoughtfully provided by Sarah (as if the Spotted Dog and custard weren't enough!)
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Third photo: (clockwise from foremost) Tom Dunlap low at the front, me in the white shirt, Gerry Strey at far left, Rowen behind my right shoulder in the grey jumper, JoEllen LaPrade hiding behind us and waving her knife in the air, Philip Sellew with beard, Sarah - with white shirt and dark jacket - and Tom Scott with a goatee.
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| Once we'd brandished
sufficiently, we fell to the enormous repast provided by the lissuns
themselves. Last two photos: the groaning festive board,
main course; and that same board, pudding or dessert course.
JoEllen LaPrade took me out for brunch and some shopping the next day - to the Mall of America, the biggest mall in the USA. I had a film developed, bought a shirt and a coat from Eddie Bauer, and then we found the Godiva Chocolates outlet - mmm.
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My next stop was Cedar Rapids, to stay with Rowen. I was met at the airport by Allan (her husband) and three of his mates - it was Valentine's Day and they were out and about doing their Barbershop Quartet thing. I was serenaded, given a carnation, a lovely card, and then they sang Happy Birthday just to round things out nicely (I'd turned 34 just a few days before). What a welcome! That's Allan (Mr Rowen) on the far left. |
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| Next day Rowen and I took in some sights - a lovely antique shop in Mt Vernon, lunch at Joensy's in Solon, then off to the Herbert Hoover Centre. The research ladies there - when they found they had an Australian in the Visitor Centre - grilled me about Western Australia, where HH had worked so many years ago. I went into their offices and helped them do some searching on the net (with my slightly greater understanding of how the Australian governments are organised). We walked about among the buildings (a lovely day, again, as you can see from the photo). |  |
| The following day found us on our way to the Thistle Farm, to visit Sarah Scott - and all the livestock! A quick tour of house, yard and paddock, and off to visit Roger the dairy farmer, to see him and his farm in action. Roger was a breath of fresh air, a man who genuinely loves his work and his life. I couldn't believe the cattle are kept indoors all winter. This photo shows me and Roger's dog - can you believe it, a dog called Daisy on a dairy farm? That lovely dog also managed to get some cow dung on my lovely new coat from Eddie Bauer - but it washed out perfectly. |  |
