My little sister, Aunt, and I all went down with my mother to Las Vegas, Nevada, to celebrate her 60th birthday together earlier this month. Most of the time was spent lounging by the pool, or grabbing food together, but we did get out and check out a few attractions including the 7 Magic Mountains, the Neon Museum, Mystere by Cirque Du Soleil, and Fremont Street!

My sister and I arrived into Vegas about 1am on a Friday morning and wen straight to sleep - the resort we stayed at had a handful of pools to choose from. The “lazy river” and hot tub could be viewed from our condo.

My mom and Shayna entertained some of the more trendy spots I wanted to check out on our first day, including visiting the 7 Magic Mountains art instillation which was out in the middle of the desert and filled with other tourists by the time we got there.

My sister in front of some old signs at the Neon Museum.

My mom and sister also agreed to check out the Neon Museum (or the Neon Boneyard) where many of the signs that have been retired from the Las Vegas strip go to rest. It was incredibly bright and way too hot to fully enjoy the hour we had at this museum, but it was very cool to see all of the old signs and how they were displayed now. I would visit again at night, if I return again.

The true highlight of this trip was probably visiting with my mom’s cousin Harlen and his family. I had probably met them as a child at one of our family reunions, but that’s so long ago now I’m not sure! We got to visit them at their home where they provided home-made pizza for us in their outdoor pizza oven, taught us how to play bocce ball, and gave us recommendations for the rest of our trip.

On the second day of our trip we decided to go to Mystere By Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island. The show was a real spectacle and something I’ll always remember. It was just weird enough for me, and I like my entertainment weird! Beforehand we explored the strip and watched the volcano eruption at the Mirage while we killed time before the show.

My sister inside a shipping container at Container Park.

On our final day of our trip, most of the day was spent hanging out in Old Vegas and Fremont Street. It was also Easter Sunday! What a wild way to spend a religious holiday (in Sin City)! It was a fun area that I wish we had more time to explore. We even got to check out Container Park a few blocks away, the concept of which I appreciated. The idea of shops being inside of little shipping containers were something I’d never seen before.

When I’m not traveling to visit friends or for bands, my favorite way to spend that time is with family. I’m so happy we got to celebrate together and explore a new city with these lovely ladies!

It's hard to describe Minnesota and the romance it holds in my life. There is always a longing to revisit the feelings I've developed from my time spent there. Growing up, my parents drove my sister Shayna and I from Seattle to Minnesota every Summer. My parents grew up in Thief River Falls, MN, and moved to Seattle when they we adults. Most of our extended family still lives in the state or nearby states, and as children, my sister and I always looked forward to the yearly road trip to the East to visit relatives and friends. Times were so simple then, when my family was complete. People in my family were the way I'd like to remember them.

Things have changed as I've gotten older. My parents are no longer together, which probably adds to the sadness of my nostalgia surrounding these trips back to Minnesota. Also, once I finished high school and entered art school, I was attending classes throughout the summertime, so there were many years in my adulthood that I did not get to join on the trips back to Minnesota. Certain jobs I held during those years also did not allow me to take the 2 weeks needed to include the drive. I am fortunate to have a job now that is flexible enough that I can make the trip back with my mother and sister. I've been able to visit in 2012, 2016 & 2018, in the last decade.

The Start

Somewhere in Idaho or the beginning of Montana on our first day of the trip.

The entire trip we found ourselves surrounded by air with wildfire smoke. I thought it was going to be just a few days while we started our road trip, as pictured above when we were just going through Idaho or the beginning of Montana (this was taken at a rest stop), but it was smokey through Minnesota and all the way home to Seattle from a variety of forest fires.

This year, we decided to first drive to Minneapolis. We rarely ever go to the big city by the time we arrive to Minnesota, because it adds about a 5 hour drive onto our trip both ways, and usually we are too tired after the initial drive to add that onto our trip. By heading there first, we made ourselves visit our family and friends there. Because we were heading to Minneapolis, our normal route shifted once we reached Billings, MT. We took a dip down through Wyoming and through South Dakota - therefore we did a little sight seeing at Devil's Tower (from the movie Close Encouters of the Third Kind) and Mt. Rushmore.

My mom taking a smoke break at the first rest stop we saw once we reached MN.

Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, we got to visit with my mom's best friend Frances, and her children Kirk and Molly, who have been close friends with my sister and I since we were all children. Molly was able to go to Minnehaha Falls and the Mississippi River with us and took us out to Karaoke. Kirk and his girlfriend Amanda were able to grab dinner with us and do Karaoke with us the other night - I also had my first and only bites of Walleye (Minnesota's state fish) on the trip at their house.

Can Can Wonderland - not pictured: very fun Karaoke.

A very friendly child Shayna (my sister) and I met at the Mississippi River who was fishing with his family.  He was interested in my camera and took a lot of photos with my help. — A very friendly child Shayna (my sister) and I met at the Mississippi River who was fishing with his family. He was interested in my camera and took a lot of photos with my help.

Grand Forks

We stopped by Grand Forks a few times, visiting both my older sister Tonya and her children, including my niece Quetitita whom you've probably seen in previous photos I've posted. We also stopped by my aunt Linda and uncle Steve's house - I unfortunately didn't get any photos of them but took the above photo of my cousin Chans' hand print in their driveway.

Furry Friends

Of course, I got to see a bunch of pet friends while we were on vacation. I didn't even get photos of probably half of them, but here are a few:

Tucker, my uncle Brian's dog in St. Hilaire.

My older sister Tonya with a kitten at my uncle Gene's farm.

A beautiful and loving kitty that followed me around while we were visiting Berent's horses.

1 Kitty and 1 doggo that said hi while we were visiting Berent's horses.

St. Hilaire

The St. Hilaire farm is where my mom grew up (after they moved from nearby Thief River Falls) and where I got to know my grandma and grandpa. My uncle Brian lives there now with his puppy Tucker. This farm was always our "hub" on our trips, where we usually ended up for a few nights between visiting in other towns. We spent many summer nights finding our own fun as kids on this farm, and fished along the river in the backyard. We also spent a few nights worrying about a passing storm in the basement, and spent many hours in the basement playing ping pong.

The memories are countless on this farm. This is where I truly feel like I am "back" when we visit Minnesota.

Red Lake River in the back yard at the St. Hilaire farm.

The creepy light in the yard - everything else is pitch black once night arrives on the farm.

Halstad

After a few days in Thief River and St. Hilaire, it was time to pick up and head back to Halstad to hang with other family.

Shayna, both complaining and looking beautiful at the same time.

I saw many combines in Minnesota.  So fitting. — I saw many combines in Minnesota. So fitting.

One of the last nights we were in Halstad we visited the neighboring town of Shelly to go to their Shelly Days dance.  Seen here is my mom's cousin Mark, my mom, my cousin Chans, my mom's cousin Dana, and my mom's cousin Diane. — One of the last nights we were in Halstad we visited the neighboring town of Shelly to go to their Shelly Days dance. Seen here is my mom's cousin Mark, my mom, my cousin Chans, my mom's cousin Dana, and my mom's cousin Diane.

Here's a closing shot from the Shelly dance of my cousin Rachel and her boyfriend Mack.

The End

My mom taking a snooze in the back seat of our car while Shayna drove.

We made our way back to Seattle along the usual route this time, through North Dakota and all of Montana. After a long and exhausting trip, I felt a little more whole. I always do after I visit and get to see old friends and the people I love. I hope I get to visit again sooner than usual, this time.

Las Vegas Trip 2019 / April 30, 2019 by Bebe Besch

Minnesota Trip 2018 / August 17, 2018 by Bebe Besch