Summer blooms

Diverse Sunday

Very interesting and diverse Sunday in Minneapolis. My friend Stephen and I rode our bikes to Lake Calhoun for the Aquatennial Celebration day's events - milk carton boat races and sand castle competition.

Then from Lake Calhoun to Lakewood Cemetery. They are right next to each other. Lake Cemetery is a large, beautiful resting place. A new and modern mausoleum recently opened.

Then to Uptown for the Bastille Day block party at Barbette's. Big crowd. Fun music.

Stephen and I at Bastille Day block party

Bastille Day crowd

Lake Wood Cemetery new and modern mausoleum

Milk carton boat race

Milk carton boat race

Sand castle competition

Sand castle competition

Metal tie at Bastille Day vendor booth

The oak tree, Mr. Burr

The backyard oak tree is doing super well this year. He seems to be having a second growth spurt with branches growing extra 8 or 10 inches of new leaves.

Mr. Burr casts a legitimate shadow this year which means shade in the backyard.

More of Artie and Carol's visit (July 3rd)

I took half day off from work on Wednesday, July 3rd, to play tourist with Artie and Carol.  We went to the Walker Sculpture Garden, Basilica of St. Mary, Guthrie's Endless Bridge view of Mississippi River, downtown Minneapolis and the skyway system.

Allison got us into the Metropolitan Club at Target Field where we had great food and watched the Twins lose yet another game with the Yankees....ugh.  The game was followed by fireworks right near where we were seated.

Another self-portrait with spoon and cherry at Walker Sculpture Garden

Carol and Artie on the Guthrie Endless Bridge with Gold Medal sign.

Carol, Artie, Allison and me in the Metropolitan Club at Target Field.

Fireworks after the game on 3rd.

Twins sign at Target Field.

Artie and Carol decided to head home on July 4th instead of waiting for Friday. Artie had a class to teach on Saturday and driving that far in one really long stretch was just not practical.

It was a wonderful visit. I am so glad that some friends are willing to make the trip out.  We are now planning on the 2014 All Star event hosted by the Twins, Target Field and Minneapolis.

July 4 at the Taylor's

Another fun and patriotic Independence Day at JT and Linda's wonderful home on Crystal Lake in Burnsville.

A boat ride to the beach for root beer floats. All the other boaters voted us "most crowded" vessel.

Our boat was second in line in the boat parade around the lake and definitely the loudest.

 Hanging out on the well decorated boat and enjoying the sun and breeze.

I didn't make it through to the fireworks. I was tired from a week of entertaining guests and watching the Twins lose game after game.  But I sure enjoyed floating in the lake...and getting buckets of water dumped on me.

Happy July 4th

Twins game with Artie and Carol

My karate instructor from 40 years ago is visiting.