This year, my mother and I traveled together to Minnesota, via road, as usual. I was to drive there with her and fly home, and my aunt flew out to make the return drive with her.

Anaconda, MT

The images above were all take at stop at Anaconda, MT. The last image is of the Anaconda Smoke Stack - I’ve somehow never seen this along our drive before, and with the sun setting and it being almost dark, I got chills with how much it looked like the Dark Tower (from my favorite Stephen King books of the same title) - just sans roses.

I will definitely be back to see this in the daytime up close sometime in the future.

Billings, MT

We stayed the first night in Billings, MT, and I woke up for sunrise so I could go for a mini hike at Zimmerman Trail. I was worried about Rattle Snakes as they are typically out in the morning, but didn’t see any. I saw plenty of other hikers and lots of dogs. The view of Billings from this location was unbeatable. I am so happy I got up early before starting the 2nd stretch of our drive.

Medora, ND

We made one quick pit stop in Medora, ND, even though we had no plans this time to attend a live show. It was fun to explore for a bit, get in some exercise, and try to avoid the many thousands of grasshoppers.

At the National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, ND, you can actually see live Buffalo. I wasn’t exactly being the safest photographer getting this shot… do not recommend. But they are majestic. I really feel these should be wild and not kept here, but the spectacle of it still brought us there to see for ourselves.

East Grand Forks, MN

Got to Visit with my Aunt and Uncle, Steve and Linda, in Grand Forks!

The Family Farm

Seeing my other Uncle Brian on the family farm in St. Hilaire was such a great time. This place is probably the one location that is the most special to me in the world. So many photos have been taken in this special place. The memories are intense. I really hope the house survives the next winter (the basement has some severe cracking in the foundation and the harsh Minnesota winters do not help).

St. Hilaire, MN

I explored a bit more of St. Hilaire when I went for a walk - I had never seen most parts of the town. I walked to the local park, saw some fishermen, some softball players, some very cute homes. My father apparently used to make this walk several times a day with his dog Sky when he was most recently living here before he passed.

Thief River Falls, MN

Made a few stops to say hi to my father.

Got some tennis in finally with my mom! It was a beautiful evening in TRF. I remember playing on these courts with my father as child.

Got to see my Aunt Mavis and take her to lunch! It’s always so nice that she makes time to see us when we are in town.

Halstad, MN

My first cousins, once removed (my mother’s cousins - I just think of them as Aunts) were all in Halstad, MN to see us. Here Dana shows off her pretty jewelry.