The 4th dawns damp and overcast. We rethink our bunking in the screen-walled gazebo by the Lake and move  the things that need to stay dry (clothes, bedding, electronics) into Mike’s parent’s motorhome or the car’s trunk. I do a run to Cannon Falls to do laundry and discover a winery! The evening’s fireworks — managed by Mike’s second cousin (and the host of the reunion) — are incredible.

Details to come. (I shot a video of the fireworks but it’s more than 15 minutes long – YouTube max.) The trip summary page.

I want to visit Red Wing! Who knew that the boot company was named for a town? This turns into a family expedition. Mike and I are the only two who can’t find shoes/boots to fit. (There’s a buy-2-get-1-free deal.) It’s HOT and humid. Doh! We’re in central Minnesota in early July! (Google Map; the trip summary page)

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After a visit to Aerostich Rider WareHouse in Duluth, we avoid the construction on I-35 by taking “surface” roads. We head south to St. Paul, where we stop by the home of Mike’s maternal grandparents. The folks who bought the house way-back-when are still the owners and graciously welcome us and show us around. Mike makes a pitch for the pool table! As we leave, Mike’s parents and brother are driving up to do the same thing!

Then it’s a stop at the Apple Store to try to figure out why I can’t download images from my iPhone. The tech does an archive-and-reinstall of the OS. I’d had a wipe-and-reinstall done earlier in June. Finally, we get to Cannon Falls, the site of the family reunion. (Google Map; the trip summary page)

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