On Thursday, Nov. 6, Genie and I headed north from Albert Lea on our annual Sabbatical to the North Woods (Genie calls it “extended socializing;” I call it “Deer Hunting.”)
I hunted two to three hours in the morning for six of the 16 mornings. Each morning was plus-or-minus five degrees from zero with 15 to 30 miles per hour wind. No deer seen with one constant, “I was cold each morning as I left the woods.”
Socializing kept us busy. Genie and Sandy Roscoe, formerly of Albert Lea, met Tim and Brenda Bauer, formerly of Clarks Grove, for lunch at Park Rapids. Genie attended the “Does Only” champagne brunch at Patrick’s in Longville with Sandy Roscoe.
We drove to Grand Forks to visit and have lunch with Alex and Jack Knudson, graudates of Albert Lea High School and college students.
We drove to Baudette, Minn. for lunch with Carol Edstrom, and attended the Holiday Craft and Vendor Extravaganza at Lake of the Woods School on the scenic Lady Slipper Highway #11 west of town.
We attended the Veterans Day Breakfast and the evening meal on November 11.
We attended Trinity Lutheran Church on Highway 2 just west of Cass Lake the three Sundays of our Sabbatical. (Genie also attended the Monday activities.) One Sunday, Pastor Janeva announced organist Wayne would be playing a rock version of “This Little Light of Mine.” He did, we tapped our feet, rocked and sang, with a well deserved round of applause for Wayne.
Genie and Grace Nason attended “Fiddler on the Roof” musical in Bemidji. Later Charlie Nason and I joined them for dinner at the Palace in Cass Lake.
By now most of you are aware that this is the 50th anniversary of a national Christmas tree adorning the U.S. capitol building’s West Lawn in D.C. The tree for 2014 is from the Chippewa National Forest east of Cass Lake. I was lucky enough to get to know Reverend George Ross (from Cass Lake) who will be going to D.C. to partake in the lighting ceremonies. Rev. George promised to mouth “Hi, Bob” during the TV newscast.
We stayed at the Palace Hotel in Cass Lake. Genie and I both know a good thing is something to keep returning to, and we do. I guess you could say the ambience and the amenities cause us to keep going back. Putting it another way, it is the ABC’s of the Palace (along with many others) for example: Anita, Alice, Adria, Audrey, Anna, Andrew, Angela, Amy, Andy, Alicia, Ami, Adam and many other A’s. For example: Ben, Bill, Brandi, Brian, Bryan, Brenda, Becky, and many other B’s. For example: Charlee, Casondra, Cliff, Cody, Cassie, Cheryl, Chris, Carol, Clinton, Colleen and many other C’s.
Thanks to Brennon at White Oaks for helping me get registered for the Veterans Day activities.
Thanks to Jordan at White Oaks for correcting a computer glitch.
Janet and Roger at Northern Lights in Walker are most certainly prime examples of Minnesota Nice.
After this trip, I now know two lady CEO’s: Audrey at the Palace, and Genie!
The telephone number for the Young and Young at Heart is 951-262-3062.
Do you know who is the Reason for the Season?