It has been 14 years since flying anywhere and here I am going all by myself to somewhere I've never been and meeting people I don't know. And yet, I'm excited and anxious for the trip. September 10th found me at the SLC International Airport bright and early. I just sat a while and watched people arrive slowly and tried to figure out how you fly now a days. A person can learn a lot through observation. Made it through the check points and then the waiting began.
Inside Terminal 1 at SLC UT
Waiting, watching, learning
At the United Airlines gate. Waiting.
Finally boarded after a brief delay. A little concerned about making the connecting flight in Denver.
Made the connecting flight after running from one end of the terminal to the other. And wishing my duffle bag was on wheels. We taxi out to the runway and stop. Brakes aren't working so they shut down the plane and restart to reboot the computer. Still didn't work so we taxi back to the terminal and the mechanics bang around underneath the plane for a bit. To no avail so we are unloaded and board a new plane (at the other end of the terminal) and have to wait and wait for them to shift the luggage and food service items to the new plane. About a two hour delay. Poor Ted. He was there on time to pick me up. Me?? Not so much. And I have made up my mind to purchase a luggage carrier on wheels before my trip home.
After all that, Ted and I finally connect. He swoops me off the curb and we are on our way. I was the one standing right in front of a whole line of police cars!! Couldn't miss me. Our first stop was to meet Becky and Rodney and Becky's husband, Gary. Wow!! Such warm and welcoming hugs!! We had a nice visit; information was shared as were pictures. Then it was off to Elk River to grab a bite to eat at Denny's and meet a few more members of my new family. They had it all decorated with a cute banner and balloons. They all signed a very nice welcome sign (which now hangs outside my front door at home). Fun, fun, fun!!! Such wonderful people, this new family of mine!!
Theresa (Ted's wife), Ted, Jerri, and Sherna
Ted, Jerri, and Sherna are all my brother and sisters.
Sherna, Kathy, Dean (another brother), Ted, Theresa, Jerri
I get to spend a few days and nights with Jerri and her husband, Chris. I felt so very comfortable. And, boy, did I sleep well that first night!! I think I was soooooo tired from lugging my bag around in the airports that total exhaustion took over and knocked me out. It was great!!
Minnesota is beautiful. Trees everywhere and huge lawns with no sprinklers. No need. They get plenty of rain so they just have to mow. It was amazing to me. Oh, no mountains. Where are the mountains?? Jerri and Chris have a nice home and green lawn and aren't so different than us. They feed birds too!! Just had to take this shot and send it to Brad.
This is Daisy. Sweet, sweet dog!!
Front view of the Gilbert home.
Meet Morris. One fat cat!!
Friday afternoon, we took a drive to Lake Mille Lacs. We walked a ways on the nice walking trail but it was cold. There was quite a wind and off the water it was chilly.
Jerri, Chris, and Daisy
Kathy with a hat on to cover her cold ears!!
After our walk around the Lake, we drove to Eddy's and had a bite to eat. It was very good. Our appetizer was deep fried deviled eggs. They weren't too bad really. And I had a wild rice meatloaf that was very yummy!! Jerri had Walleye, which is the fish that this lake is famous for. But right now, fishing for Walleye has been banned. Overfished I guess. I tried Jerri's Walleye and it was good. A white, mild fish. And a very nice afternoon and evening.
Saturday, the 12th of September, took us to St. Paul for a trip to the Gale Family Library, part of the Minnesota Historical Society. We got busy looking up info and time got away from us and we still had to find our way to a birthday party. Chris was a very good chauffeur with the use of his tomtom.
St. Paul cathedral
Downtown St. Paul in the background
Brother Dean (in orange) at his grandson's 2nd birthday party
The birthday boy!!!
Following the birthday party, we stopped at Becky's again. We quickly went through photographs and Jerri and Chris ran to get copies made for all of us. I stayed and we visited and watched football. And looked forward to a supper out, treat of Gary and Becky. They kept it a secret. And because of that Ted and Theresa had to make an early appearance. They were going to surprise us all at the restaurant, but didn't know where we were going. Is this fun or what???
Chilling with a little football.
Rodney, Jerri, Kathy, Becky, Theresa, Gary, Ted
Chris took the picture.
We are heading to dinner to parts unknown!!! Ended up at The Outback. Yummy!! And so much laughter and fun with all of us at one table. Wonderful evening:) Thanks so much Gary and Becky!!
Lloyd, Dean, and Karen
Theresa, Ted, Nancy, Jerri, and Chris
Karen, Kathy, Dean, Jerri
Lloyd and Ted
Nancy
When the party drew to a close, I was handed off to Ted and Theresa for one final night in the state of 10,000 lakes. We met Sherna and her husband at the banks of the Mississippi River. They followed us home to Ted's and we continued to visit and eat and visit some more. I became addicted to authentic German dill pickles. Wow!! So yummy!!
Can't you just see Tom Sawyer drifting down the river on his raft???
The great Mississippi.
Sherna's husband (I'm so bad at names!!!), Theresa, and Sherna
Ted, Kathy, Sherna
I always thought I was tall, but I'm not really, am I??
Sherna and her husband Jim joined us for supper. Ted grilled pork chops and I found my new addiction -- authentic German dill pickles. Oh my!! A slight sweet edge and so very yummy!! I finished off their bottle. Whoops..
We met Rodney Monday morning at the cemetery where several relatives are buried. He had his son, Michael, with him. A very nice young man who chose to spend his lunch break with us. After checking out the graves/headstones, we went to a quaint little cafe' near there and just visited for a bit. Nice and relaxing. And had to say another goodbye.
From here, Ted took me sight-seeing. We still had a few hours before I needed to be at the airport so we hit a couple more places of interest. And more lakes!! Ted is a wonderful guide. He is full of information!! It was fun and informative and he's not afraid to talk to anyone. That's a trait I don't have. This is a route we took. Absolutely beautiful!! I'm glad he was driving. I would have been so very lost!! I was using the restroom while he fed the parking meter and when I returned, he was visiting with some folks having issues with that same parking meter. You feed it money (of course), and then it gives you a stub to display. This gentleman couldn't get it to work for him and Ted came to the rescue and in the course of doing so, found out they were from Idaho. He said "Look what I found!! Some more Idaho Mormons!!" A very small world we live in isn't it?? I think their last name was Cox and they are from Carrie Idaho. AND they know someone from Malad. Go figure!! They asked if I knew Van and Terri Price? Sure enough!! And very small world indeed. I'm so grateful Ted has such a big, open heart and visited with this cute couple.
Rose Garden pictures. It was such a beautiful, warm day!! The only day a sweater wasn't needed. When we were leaving the garden, a very tiny hummingbird came very near a tree and some bushes that lined the path we were on. It was so very small and different than the ones we have at home. But a perfect way to bring a wonderful trip to a close.
(quite sure my spelling is way off)
The above pictures were taken at the Minihaha Park. I need to read the poem that is associated with this place. I can remember Mother reading it to me as a child, but it's been so very long ago.
Our last stop before Ted dropped me off at the airport was the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. This is where an uncle and my birth father are both buried. It was beautiful. All those white headstones in perfect rows that just go on and on. It was interesting that there was a special place for those that were cremated. In that area, the stones were much closer together. It is located very near the airport so we were able to spend some quiet time here before I said my final goodbye.
Me and my birth father. After this picture was taken, I stood and both Ted and I had a quiet moment. Ted put his arm around me and said, "Kathy, Dad would have loved you." That meant the world to me. It brought me a peace that's hard to describe.
It's time to go home. What a wonderful trip!! And what a great family I have discovered and spent time with. Thank you all so very much. You are amazing!! Until we meet again!!
The Denver airport and my last transfer. We are off to Salt Lake City!! And rain. And Brad. And home. But what an adventure I have had!! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would discover and be part of a family of eight siblings. What a blessing!!
