Another trip up north

I finally made it back up to Underwood, Minnesota, last weekend to visit my dear friends Phil and Rachel. It's a long trip, but I made good time, and Friday was a lovely day for a drive. Saturday was rainy but I survived anyway (thanks to Classical MPR, the first radio station to interrupt my constant diet of CDs in six or seven years).

But I digress. I took a different route this time and noticed some churches with great Scandinavian names like Sverdrup and Tingvold (pictured here).





I also enjoyed the "Otter Tail County Scenic Byway" signs that have otters on them. Super-cute.





We had a great time just relaxing, which was a nice change from the frantic pace I've been keeping lately.





Rachel is on bedrest at 33 weeks pregnant, and Klaus the dachshund thinks the baby belly makes a good pillow.





We watched the action on the lake with the opening of fishing season (not much going on, with pretty icky weather).





And, on Saturday, a couple other friends joined us, one with this handsome 10-month-old in tow. The dog thought the baby was fascinating, and the baby thought everything in the house was fascinating (and tasty!). Never a dull moment!





It was a wonderful trip and much-needed getaway for me. And, hopefully in a few weeks, I'll return to meet the baby girl currently serving as Klaus's pillow!