DISCLAIMER: My apologies to my own, biological siblings. I will strive to publish my very own tribute to you . . . And make it well worth it!
As a small contribution to this special event that we are all breathlessly awaiting, I have spent hours--hours, I tell you!--researching the following, suggested special events & activities for some or all of us to consider during our time together in the Twin Cities in just a few short months. No need to make a commitment . . . yet . . . but you will want to start saving those pennies, dimes, nickels & quarters or set up those special vacation savings accounts now so that you have the cash reserves necessary to indulge in at least some of these unique, one-of-a-kind experiences.
Oh, and by the way, no thanks are necessary . . . it was a joy to do the research, & I will anxiously wait to hear from you before I continue putting into place our action plans.
- Fireworks display @ Houlton, Wisconsin. Houlton is located a mere 40-minute drive from the Twin Cities, just across the Minnesota River from historic Stillwater, MN. Although "fireworks display" might be stretching the definition just a bit, thanks to Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker, who was responsible for issuing a special permit, the loyal, patriotic citizens of this hamlet will be lobbing live mortar rounds from Houlton into Stillwater just after dusk on the evening of the 4th of July. [In case you didn't know, MN is a blue state.] $$$
- Field trip! We'll take a guided tour of the New Ulm, MN, area, which is about a 2-hour drive from the Twin Cities, finding ourselves in the heart of the Great Sioux Uprising of 1862. This is a tour that history buffs will not want to miss. Lois & I can personally attest to the appeal of this trip [Well, I can attest to the appeal, even if Lois can't or won't.], thanks to a plethora of historical markers--& I promise we'll stop at every one we see--& numerous sites of massacres & atrocities. For supper we can reserve a special dining room at Hans & Ludwig's House of Sauerkraut in New Ulm, which is famous for its 87 varieties of sauerkraut, a plethora of German delicacies, including blutwurst, AND, as a special bonus, the largest lutefisk taco bar in the upper Midwest [also a plethora of imported German beers both bottled & on tap.] $$$$$ [Oh, my! I almost forgot about the Sisters! They also boast a wine cellar that includes well over three imported German products of the vine!]
- Although I technically haven't cleared it with him yet, I'm sure that Nathan--who is quite the outdoorsman--would be more than thrilled to takes us on a muskrat trapping expedition along the backwaters of the Mississippi River. To the best of my knowledge, the fee for a one-day, out-of-state, muskrat trapping license in Minnesota isn't all that expensive. $$ OPTION: We can take a field trip to Itasca State Park, located a mere 3.5 hours from the Twin Cities. What, you say? You've never heard of it? Why, it's where you'll find the headwaters of the "Mighty Mississippi! You can actually wade across it at its source. [Bathing in it is not recommended.] $$$$$
- Minnesota Zoo. This delightful zoo is located in Apple Valley, just a "hop, skip, & jump" south of the Twin Cities. Besides a chance to see a plethora of exotic creatures, including fauna native to Minnesota, this is a place of special significance to some of the Hill clan. WARNING: Family History Alert! Much of the land this zoo encompasses was once owned by the Linkert family. One of the many children in this family was a little girl--Johanna Louisa Friedericha Linkert. The family eventually pulled up stakes & moved to Lodi, CA. This little girl grew up & married a Handel. One of her children was Harold Handel, father of Carmen Handel. Another child was Janet Handel, mother of Paul Leckband. [Skeptical? Ask independent & objective witnesses Mark Leckband of Garrison, IA, and/or Carolyn Brott of Beatrice, NE.] $$$
- Mall of America. Sorry, this is going to be disappointing for some [but possibly not all] of you. Based on some of my highly secretive but ultra-reliable sources, I've found out that more than likely the M.O.A. will be the site of protests by a group known as P.E.T.W. That's right . . . People for the Ethical Treatment of Norwegians! I can't stress the potential danger of encountering this group in any public location, but especially at the M.O.A. I'm not kidding! Those of you who were looking forward to one of the [pathetic] traditions of Hill Family reunions, namely, shopping [Did I just sense an involuntary shudder among some of the male clan?], you may have to settle for a brief afternoon at a Super Target. Some of you may be even more disappointed if you know that there is a Bubba Gump's at M.O.A., but I've heard rumors about a legendary, all-you-can-eat seafood buffet called Sven & Ole's Legendary All You Can Eat Seafood Buffet & Carp Taco Bar, located in Eden Prairie, a suburb of the Twin Cities [& coincidentally, a place where Carmen Hill grew up]. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a link to it . . . yet. > Shopping @ Super Target ??? > Supper @ Sven & Ole's ??? > Supper @ Long John Silver's $$ > Fish sandwiches @ Burger King or McD's $
- Home-cooked, gourmet meal. Some of you will remember with nostalgia the following Hill-family delicacy . . . SLOP! . . . Lovingly cooked by Edgar, the Hill family patriarch. No! I am not kidding! Even now I can smell the tantalizing odors of ham, potatoes, onions, & green peppers wafting from the cast iron skillet in the kitchen. Have I whetted your appetites? Lois has offered to do the cooking. Here's how the rest of the plans shake out: Wanda, ham. [Not just any canned ham, by the way. Let's make it a Honey-Baked Ham.] Kathy, potatoes. * David, onions. [Maui sweet onions. **] Anita, green peppers. *
** This link is a site I found where you can purchase seeds for growing Maui sweet onions. I think the cost of importing actual onions from Maui may be prohibitively expensive, so I didn't check out any of those sites. Given the sub-tropical climate in Wichita Falls, if you order these seeds promptly, plant them immediately, & nurture them along carefully, they may be ready to harvest & contribute to the feast. Otherwise, see previous footnote.
Once again, no thanks needed or expected . . . It's the least I could do. I'll look forward to hearing from all of you!
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