The double date trip...

So, did the double date thingie... yes, I hate double dates.  I'm not big on doing duo things.  But it was March Break... and both Rory and I had the week off... Mandy wanted to visit her Grammy and see the car show... and Rain, well she just asked for the time off.  It was great really.

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We left Friday around 6ish after a bit of a curfuffle [yes, i made up the word spelling] about who was driving what vehicle.  We made it to Duluth and went looking for the hotel.  We had never stayed there before so we weren't sure where it was.  After driving through some 'scuzzy' areas we were glad to see it was in a good area and it was a great hotel.  Dinner was at Grandma's.. mmm

Saturday started out with some of my allergies starting to get more severe and Rory not getting any waffles.  Either he assumed too much or too little, but what we do know is what happens when you assume - Rory gets no waffles.  We drove to Minneapolis and took our time so that we could check in at the proper time.  This meant going to Ikea.  Which was long and excruciating if your kleenex supply is running low and you have a raw nose.  But we found a few things.  Our "LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL" poster now has a frame.  We ended up at the hotel and take a break from our shopping.  Mandy and I borrowed the car and visited her Grammy.  Mandy blames her map being old, but the gas attendant didn't.  We just turned a right when we shoulda turned a left.  After we could have gone out with Rory and Rain with Mark, but in the end my allergies and Mandy's dislike of Mark we decided to stay in.  Wen went for a late dinner at Denny's [where Mandy got some extra mashed potatoes].

Sunday we started out with some more wonderful hotel food [i like hardboiled eggs] and lunch with Mandy's Grammy.  It [lunch] ended with me winning at Yahtzee by 1 point, tho' I must admit we only played a half game.  After that we met up with mark for a car show experience.   Pretty cool... but we missed the whole point of these shows - the concept cars.  OH, well, I got to see the Land Rover tent and sit in an Outback, but not in a Shelby .  We did  get to Sawatdee and have some nice food.  Mmm... gotta remember to get those pork rolls again - and it coulda been a little spicier.  That night ended up with beer, beer and more beer, a bong [thank you Walmart automotive dept], a bottle of wine, some puckers and mini burgers and dessert at Denny's.  Way to go girls - almost there! 

Monday we awoke [slowly mind you] to a storm that was closing schools and causing buses to get stuck.  We waited a while hoping visibility might increase.  Eventually we decide to strike out... after undigging the car, we load up and head out.  Kudos to Rory for lasting the 4 gruelling hours, but we made it to Duluth.  Mandy was smart - she called ahead and had some rooms booked for us at Duluth in case we might need it.  Thinking it over in Hacienda del Sol Rain decided she could call work for another day off due to the storm.  See what good Mexican food can do for ya?  When we got to the hotel, Rory checked in with home to let them know we're safe and got the good news of James.  Congrats Jen!  We went to the mall and tried to go to an Antique shop [after it was closed the other day].  Target was neat as well, found another candy dish - now the count is at 4.  We get back to the hotel to enjoy the hot tub that we missed enjoying on Friday night - volleyball was fun in the pool.  No net, no points [no way the ball can touch the ground].

Tuesday woke us with Rory figuring out the waffle machine and some more hard boiled eggs.  After a quick trip to the Chocolate Factory [dad might not be getting that almond bark]  and the Antique store, [which was done in that order because of our timing] we headed on back home.  A few close run-ins with some deer we finally made it home.  Nice!

 

-ry