Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Day 2: The Griswold's take Minneapolis


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Day 2. We woke up refreshed from a good night's sleep and the promise of another full day. And then he opened his mouth... "Lets go to the park!" Now when you are staying at the "WATERpark hotel, where do you suppose the kids are thinking they are going?" But if you know my husband, any park that has the word "water" in it, is not his idea of fun.

Somewhat skeptically, the boys loaded into the car and we left for "the park." Do you see it in the photos? The "park?" It would be the one outside of the "Walker Art Center." And when the boys discovered that the "park" they so hoped for was grass around a pond that was murky, and replete with a foul smell? Well, they were less than thrilled.

My dh, however? He was in photographer heaven! The "park" was filled with gardens, flowers, sculptures and history! He could have spent hours walking the grounds. Plus, The Walker has been a favorite of ours forever. But for two "active" boys? I shudder to think of what even a brief tour would be like.

As for me? I was caught somewhere in the middle looking for Switzerland in the midst of the landmines we were navigating that day. We moved from the outdoors to inside the conservatory filled with tropical lipstick palms and the promise of a "fish sculpture." The fish was indeed grand in scale and covered in glass and then surrounded by another pond of water which beautifully reflected off of the scales. Another photography bonanza.

When we heard the "plink" however, and saw the mischievous look on Nolan's face with his hands moving away from the water, the decision to move on was made rather quickly. Besides, the boys were excited to see the new Target Field, the soon to be home of the Minnesota Twins. In what would become the last Griswaldian twist to our adventure, after walking block after city block with tired and hungry children, we caught a glimpse of the new stadium. We cajoled the children into walking just a bit more and having patience and being watchful so as not to miss it except that... every conceivable path leading to it was blocked. We'd have to settle for a glimpse. We distracted the boys with the tall buildings on the way to get something to eat.

For the last bit of our little adventure we had promised my dh a stop at the camera store. So while dad spoke camera speak in the store we watched movies in the car. It turns out that "bit" translates into 3 hours! Thank goodness for Toy Story 1 and 2! When he finally came out he offered to take us to several different places. It was Nolan who finally spoke up and said "Dad, how about if we just go home? I'm tired, this vacation was a lot of work!" So with the nine year old voice of reason echoing in our minds, we cut our losses, jumped on the highway and headed home. The Griswalds have nothing on us!

15 comments:

  1. Drat, I just discovered my message didn't save on your last post.
    Thanks for putting my pumpkins in your side bar.

    Your little holiday defiantly sounds like an adventure you will never forget. It appears it had no change of recovery after the McDonald's incident on arrival. you and the kids were very patient waiting 3 hours in the car for your hubby at the photography store.

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  2. Now THIS is 'da bomb'...
    I love the Park, and I want to go there! The photos are splendid...and I am so glad that you all were able to visit the Park (love the spoon bridge with the cherry....the gefilte fish (thanks for sharing the close-up of the story)... I used to read a story about making gefilte fish to my students...and how the fish was kept in the bathtub. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your dh WAS in photo heaven...and your visit was magnificently captured...and told, my friend.
    Love,
    Jackie

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  3. Great looking pictures (as always) and I must say that you look beautiful in photographs! Hope you had a great time while away:)

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  4. Out of the mouths of babes! Funny how a vacation turns out to be work. I've never been to the Walker Art Center but really would love to take a peek...especially at the fish. Super interesting!

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  5. The photos are fantastic! I want to visit there too!

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  6. Oh, my goodness, Vicky!!! I'm laughing...been there; done that with kids!!!! Too funny!!! But your photographs and the sites you saw are nothing to laugh at!!!!! Absolutely fabulous!!!! I'm in awe!!! You neverf fail to inspire me!!! Thanks so much for posting these!!! I now have another place to add to my list of sites to see!!! Love to you and yours, my dear friend!!! ~Janine XO

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  7. Gosh, those pictures are amazing! I feel like I'm vacationing vicariously through you. It was great from the waking up to the heading home. I think Nolan's wisdom rounds if off quite nicely.

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  8. Well, uh, at least that fish story kinda cheered things up...lol!!!! It seems like a perfect thing to have included in YOUR story - a fitting footnote, as it were.

    Glad you are so refreshed. So when are you flying to California by yourself to hang out with me?! We can go see Yosemite and then come back and get pedicures and massages.

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  9. That looks like such a fun little getaway! I love being able to drive a few hours and be in a place with so much to do! Exciting. I hope we get the chance to go to the Cities during the Christmas season. Which hotel did you stay at again with the water park?

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  10. What a fun pic of the spoon and cherry! Sounds like a good time was had by all, especially your husband in the camera store! :)

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  11. that spoon....that cherry.....WOW WOW WOW !

    and your son whose vacation felt like work...oh how I love kids !!!

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  12. Gotta love kids on vacation :)

    Those pictures are absolutely phenomonal though! Excellent results!

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  13. Hi Vicky
    you deserve a medal for being so patient...I think I would have spat the dummy with all those waits and lost time...

    Happy days

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  14. Delwyn, I think that is the funniest things someone has said to date! I've just grown very tolerant but sometimes its a challenge for sure :)

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  15. I want to vacat with you! LOL This is such a great post!

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