(the type of adorable signage you find in Canada)
Greetings from Minneapolis.
Late last week, we received the news that Michelle’s grandma passed away. She was in her home, surrounded by family, and didn’t appear to be in any pain. So after our wedding in Toronto, we high-tailed it back to Minnesota, driving 19 hours straight through the night, to arrive in time for the visitation and service on Monday and Tuesday.
The drive itself was gorgeous and was marked with a few highlights along the way.
- We stumbled across the Nifty 50′s Diner; not quite the Fifty Nifty but close.
- While driving through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we noticed a lump in the field beside our car. I assumed it was a cow or a boulder, until it stood up and revealed itself to be a big black bear. After making eyes with it, the bear proceeded to bound across two fields of tall grass, across a country road and into the woods. It was really awesome.
- Along the way, we stopped at a couple of beaches and lighthouses, where we watched a full moon rise out of Lake Michigan. I got a bit trigger happy:
- Lastly, while this wasn’t a highlight, we were incredibly thankful to have narrowly missed hitting a deer. Even though we were the only car around for miles, I slowed down for a construction zone just in time to notice the green glimmer of a deer’s eye as it bolted in front of our beloved Fit. In true Vin Diesel fashion, I hit the brakes and swerved allowing for it to escape safely across the road. Phew.
We arrived safe and sound in the wee hours Monday morning, and were grateful to then have time with her family for the past few days as they mourned but more importantly celebrated the life of her grandma. Evelyn was a truly remarkable lady and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.
Today, we’ll pack up the car and hit the road for Iowa where we have a wedding tomorrow. Then on Monday, we’re off to Alaska for 10 days and a wedding on the 16th.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for all of your thoughts and be sure to hug everyone you love this weekend.
xoxoxo,
J+M
thus far…
miles driven: 19,102
song of the week: Explosions in the Sky - Human Qualities