3 Summers

He grew up in a large Minnesota town on a quiet dead end street slightly hidden to the average passerby. Their house is decorated in beautiful soft colors and filled with books; lots and lots of books. They talk about their days, social issues affecting the world, and current events over home cooked meals. They talk and laugh and enjoy each other's company in a house full of love.

I spent the last week visiting Ben's hometown in Minnesota. This was our third summer enjoying each other's company, friendship, and adventures side by side. It was my first time visiting Minnesota and seeing the town where Ben grew up. We toured the area, visited the local university, and saw all of the sites that reflect Ben's childhood. I saw his favorite rails to skate, the elementary school he used to walk to, and the places where his best friends had lived. I saw all of the things and places that have made him who he is: a thoughtful, intelligent, and unique individual. And one of my best friends.

The Minnesota sign on our drive in. It was a little less than 12 hours but the time seemed to fly!

A sea turtle at the Mall of America Aquarium!

Ben at the Aquarium.

Stingray!

Trying to touch a shark!

Shark Attack!!

The theme park inside the Mall of America...ridiculous!

While in Minnesota I also had the chance to visit Patty, one of my college roommates and good friends who now lives in the Twin Cities where she serves in the Americorps program "Rebuilding Together". I enjoyed seeing her place and traveling around the Twin Cities. One of the things that we did was visit the James Hill mansion-a 36,000 square foot hilltop house that belonged to a pioneer of the Railroad industry in the late 1800's. This is their dining room.

The laundry room at the mansion. It consisted of 20 large pull out racks to hang items on.

The furnace room.

Ben's family just got a new kitty named Bella. She has ALOT of personality but was tons of fun to play with.

While touring the Minnesota State University campus we caught their football team practicing.

Art on Art...this picture was in Minneapolis at an art gallery and garden. It was pretty neat to see a painter painting the scene I was photographing.

Ben, his mom, and his brother Nick at the sculpture garden.

Ben and I.

A "short" giraffe at the Como zoo in Minneapolis.

I saw this cute little girl at the zoo and had to snap a picture. She is looking out at a giant box turtle.

Me eating a Cheese Chilito in Mankato. Ben has been telling me about this Mexican restaurant and these Cheese Chilito's since I first met him in New York and I was so excited to finally get to try them!

Feeding some grass to a miniature horse at a park in Mankato.

Cheesy picture.

It was a great vacation and a great end to the summer. As always, it was hard to say goodbye but I'm already looking forward to the next adventure.

3 summers of fun.