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.
Devil's Tower, WY.
Mt. Rushmore, SD.
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.
Kirk and Amanda at Can Can Wonderland.
Minnehaha Falls, MN.
Molly.
The Mississippi River, MN.
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.
Summer campfire at Kirk and Amanda's.
Grand Forks
My neice Quetitia and her friends in Grand Forks, ND.
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.
Berent's horses.
My uncle Gene's pup, Trixie.
A beautiful and loving kitty that followed me around while we were visiting Berent's horses.
Pokey! (Kirk and Amanda's pup)
Mike! (Kirk and Amanda's cat)
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.
Tucker and a downed tree.
My cousin Rachel.
Rachel and my sister Shayna.
My uncle Brian.
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.
Our friend Brandon and Rachel.
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.
Here's a closing shot from the Shelly dance of my cousin Rachel and her boyfriend Mack.
The End
Shayna at the Badlands, ND.
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.
