A peek inside the deserted museum in Thief River Falls Minnesota. 

Taken Just Before Departing This Morning. 

Thief River Falls Minnesota!

A rural city filled with wonders to pursue in pictures and people, this bustling community has pride that exudes from every street. Boulevards lined with hanging pots of petunias grace the main thouroughfare, highway 59. Eight miles to the east(maybe it was east)there is a family vacation spot that has got to be one of the most unique I have visited in recent years. It's a hotel, indoor waterpark, and casino all rolled in to one where alcoholic beverages are not allowed and the fun is for every age imaginable. Following our performance Tuesday evening we went home the "right" way and proceeded to change for late night snacks. It took Cheryl and I a bit longer to get there than we would have liked. A day of wrong directions, detours, and the usual misadventures was topped by our getting locked in our accomodations while changing for a late lunch. The electric door lock thing did an unexpected malfunction and we had to be rescued by hotel security. There five of them that attended to the rescue mission in a hall lined with little signs on knobs proclaiming "do not disturb!" Oh, well! That was just one more of the comical mishaps of a journey that was fraught with such incidents. The fifties style restaurant is open 24\7 and the food is excellent. Over a dozen of us relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere as the food came and went. They also do old-fashioned sodas and malts, and a giant ice cream cone that brings a happy smile to every face. Many thanks to Harold and Mary for getting us in to the museum complex early(three hours before it opened)and to all of the other unique people we befriended in the course of our stay. This was one for the books, and when one thinks that Murphy has done all he can to impede one's progress toward tranquility, just wait, there's more! Oh, and for those who may wonder, yes, we did get a little lost on the way home, too! I have a hunch this was God's way of bonding all of us into a performing troup, shared experiences! I'll do a photo blog of the journey in more depth before I leave for the rally in Sturgis. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

That's Tootles, Again, Letting Us Know That It's Alright To Go, Now! 

Three Days Of Sojourn

Everybody is going to ask me at some point in time if we had a map. The answer is "yes" and we employed it to the very best of our corporate abilities. The problems began with the way the roads are numbered. There are two #1 exits off I-29 about three miles apart. One takes you where we were headed, the other winds down along the Red River on gravel roads(and the inevitable detours)and to make things as confusing as they can get, they both take you to the same place, eventually! My suggestion for the serious traveler intent on reaching his\her destination would be to never, ever under any circumstances set any deadlines or appointments when pursuing a destination with persons of an artistic bent. We were lost, but not so much that it caused worry! The sun was rapidly disappearing when we rounded a corner and almost simultaneously halted our two vehicle caravan in the center of the road and jumped out wielding cameras on the unsuspecting wilderness. I had three going in no time and the artist in the Escalade had more than one, I'm sure. Thus it went for the next half an hour. Drive a mile or so, stop, take pictures, stop. Pause at a farm, get directions, stop take pictures; all the while darkness rapidly closed around us. Finally we found where we were supposed to be an hour or so back, and many miles. It may sound strange, but the whole of the three days away went exactly like this, and we were blessed beyond belief. All I can say without doubt is that God had a plan, and we were part of it. I suppose we really never were lost. We were going where we were supposed to go! That included reaching a town about an hour from the hotel, unless you go our way, which lasted over two hours and stretched about 123 miles. We talked about the unusual circumstances of the journy this morning over coffee. One thing is certain, it was memorable beyond our wildest expectations. God allows things like this to happen to folks, I think, just to find out how we'll react. I pray we got it right, and I know from viewing the pics tonight that we did the "right" thing. We took being late, getting lost, dirty, dusty, not to mention tired and turned it into a cause for rejoicing. I wish all of life's challenges could be met just like the past few days. Carrying on to do the best and make the best of every moment. After all, isn't that what "true" living is really about? God bless, Preacher.

This Was The First Casino\Hotel I Found Where Alcohol Is Forbidden! 

I'm Working On Ways To Stay Focused!