The boys had to take back the rental van so the rest of us (sans Yaya and Siena who went back to the hotel) went for a walk around the river area. In the background is an old railroad bridge converted into a pedestrian walkway. That is the Mississippi river in the background.
Mason from the top of a knoll.
Flour mill ruins in downtown Minneapolis. None of these mills are still functional but the ruins are still visible. The ruins in front are the result of a fire in the early 1990's.
View of the river and falls from the pedestrian bridge.
We also got to see a barge coming through the locks.
Later in the afternoon, we met some other relatives that dad was able to locate as a result of his geneology research. I'm sure he'll be able to correct me on this one too but I'll do my best. Irene's mother Ida (Irene is the older woman in yellow) was sisters with my Great Grandma Anna Swanson. Our families had maintained contact until my Aunt Hannah passed away. After that we lost contact until my dad found them a few months back. They were all wonderfully nice people and it was great to meet them.Here's my best attempt to identify the family members in the picture. From bottom left: Kris Kyllo - Irene's daughter, Linda, Irene, and Marie. Linda and Marie are daughters of Irene's brother Carl Hagan. From top left: Tom Rindahl - Linda's husband, Arika - Marie's daughter, Tony Wagoner - Marie's husband, Jason - Cara's husband, and Cara - Marie's daughter. The baby is Cara and Jason's daughter Elena.
Here's our crew with Irene.
The Ham crew and cousin David with Irene. As you can see, this was a pretty big family reunion.
Irene turned out to be a great storyteller and we had a nice time listening to her tell stories about the family.
Here's our crew with Irene.
The Ham crew and cousin David with Irene. As you can see, this was a pretty big family reunion. 
Irene turned out to be a great storyteller and we had a nice time listening to her tell stories about the family.On the recommendation of Arika and the rest of the Minneapolis locals, we took the kids to the Mall of America for some fun and rides. The Mall of America is insane - there is a Lego land, indoor amusement park, and 4 stories of restaurants and stores. Course, we spent the majority of our time at the amusement park.
These were fun rides for the kids. They all had horns to honk on the trucks.
And Siena got to meet her idol Dora.
Heidi joined the kids on the Diego bus ride.
After rides, we hit the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for dinner. It was goood.
The next morning we took the Mill tour in Minneapolis. This was actually more fun than the name sounds. The main part of the tour consists of a freight elevator going through various levels of the abandoned flour mill showing video, old machinery, and voices of former workers. It was very cool. This is the view of the city from the 8th floor observation deck of the Mill museum.
Luis and the kids on the tour.
The old Gold Medal Flour sign. The mill is no longer operational but the sign is a city landmark.
From the flour tour to the Swedish Institute. We couldn't take pictures inside due to the artifacts on display but the Institute provides a good history of the Swedish immigration to the midwest.
After a couple rounds past the Gay Pride celebration, we were able to find the home that my Great Grandmother Anna worked in for 5 years as an indentured servant upon arrival in the U.S. The family that owned the house paid her way overseas in exchange for her work.
No pictures from the next day as it was spent entirely on a Mega bus from Minneapolis to Chicago. It was a long 8 hour ride but the bus wasn't bad. It stopped a couple of times and we made it there. Craig and Janene met us and got us back to their place to stay which was very nice. It was especially nice to not be in a hotel.
These were fun rides for the kids. They all had horns to honk on the trucks.
And Siena got to meet her idol Dora.
Heidi joined the kids on the Diego bus ride.
After rides, we hit the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for dinner. It was goood.
The next morning we took the Mill tour in Minneapolis. This was actually more fun than the name sounds. The main part of the tour consists of a freight elevator going through various levels of the abandoned flour mill showing video, old machinery, and voices of former workers. It was very cool. This is the view of the city from the 8th floor observation deck of the Mill museum.
Luis and the kids on the tour.
The old Gold Medal Flour sign. The mill is no longer operational but the sign is a city landmark.
From the flour tour to the Swedish Institute. We couldn't take pictures inside due to the artifacts on display but the Institute provides a good history of the Swedish immigration to the midwest.
After a couple rounds past the Gay Pride celebration, we were able to find the home that my Great Grandmother Anna worked in for 5 years as an indentured servant upon arrival in the U.S. The family that owned the house paid her way overseas in exchange for her work. 
No pictures from the next day as it was spent entirely on a Mega bus from Minneapolis to Chicago. It was a long 8 hour ride but the bus wasn't bad. It stopped a couple of times and we made it there. Craig and Janene met us and got us back to their place to stay which was very nice. It was especially nice to not be in a hotel.After a wonderful breakfast of homemade pancakes and fruit, we went to Cantigny. There was lots to see and do at Cantigny. It was the home of Robert McCormick, Chicago Tribune guru, as well as a military museum dedicated to the First Division. The kids liked the collection of tanks that they got to climb on. So did Luis.
This is the scene from inside the First Division Museum. This is a very cool museum, designed to provide a first-hand look at life on the front.
More tank climbing!
Siena at the children's garden.
More family in the gardens.
This look familiar to anyone? Think A League of their Own, Tom Hanks...job offer...this is outside of the McCormick mansion at Cantigny.
The next day we first went to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Not sure why Dad and Craig look like ghosts in this picture... The museum had this huge model train set up. There was a lot to do at the museum. One could easily spend 2 days there and not see everything.
There was a lot of interactive stuff for the kids.
And for the big kids.
Cow.
We couldn't spend all day museuming though because we had tickets to the Cubbies at Wrigley!
As you can see they lost in a low scoring affair but it was still very cool to be in the historic stadium and watching a game. The kids liked the food - hot dogs, nachos, kettle corn, lemonade, cotton candy...
In case a museum and baseball game isn't enough for one day, we then went to Navy Pier. We rode the huge ferris wheel and carousel, checked out shops, and ate dinner.
This touring the town business is hard work!
Thursday - Taste of Chicago. For those familiar with the bite of Portland, this is a similar affair only much bigger.
It didn't take long for Siena to make herself at home.
There was so much food but we did our best to try as much as possible. Papa Ron shared some of his samplings with the kids.
Craig returns triumphantly to COMCEN with a plate of homemade chips from Harry Carey's.
The famous wagon that not only toted all our stuff but the kids as well.
The group in front of Buckingham fountain in Millenium Park.
We're home now and are back to a more low key existance. It was a wonderful vacation. Now we have lots of laundry to do!
This is the scene from inside the First Division Museum. This is a very cool museum, designed to provide a first-hand look at life on the front.
More tank climbing!
Siena at the children's garden.
More family in the gardens.
This look familiar to anyone? Think A League of their Own, Tom Hanks...job offer...this is outside of the McCormick mansion at Cantigny.
The next day we first went to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Not sure why Dad and Craig look like ghosts in this picture... The museum had this huge model train set up. There was a lot to do at the museum. One could easily spend 2 days there and not see everything.
There was a lot of interactive stuff for the kids.
And for the big kids.
Cow.
We couldn't spend all day museuming though because we had tickets to the Cubbies at Wrigley!
As you can see they lost in a low scoring affair but it was still very cool to be in the historic stadium and watching a game. The kids liked the food - hot dogs, nachos, kettle corn, lemonade, cotton candy...
In case a museum and baseball game isn't enough for one day, we then went to Navy Pier. We rode the huge ferris wheel and carousel, checked out shops, and ate dinner.
This touring the town business is hard work! 
Thursday - Taste of Chicago. For those familiar with the bite of Portland, this is a similar affair only much bigger.
It didn't take long for Siena to make herself at home.
There was so much food but we did our best to try as much as possible. Papa Ron shared some of his samplings with the kids.
Craig returns triumphantly to COMCEN with a plate of homemade chips from Harry Carey's.
The famous wagon that not only toted all our stuff but the kids as well.
The group in front of Buckingham fountain in Millenium Park.
We're home now and are back to a more low key existance. It was a wonderful vacation. Now we have lots of laundry to do!
2 comments:
After seeing the pictures I'm thinking it's probably time to lose the blue shorts.
Or, get a little tan on those lily-white legs.
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