G.G. and Grandpa Make Their 1st Visit to Interstate State Park and Taylors Falls (and Much, Much More)

Oh, hey, Brooke's parents visited us for the first time in forever.

I told them if they wanted to keep Meadow, they'd have to bring her back. They arrived on Monday evening with plans to stay all week. I had to work still and we left them in charge of the kids. After a long day at the zoo we convinced them to walk with us to Bread and Pickle. 

They were not excited by this, but we knew they could do it.

Nothing like an old-fashioned burger and beer meal from Bread & Pickle on a nice summer day.

We need one of these wagons.

That's a hint. We'd love one for Christmas.

We took the shortcut back through the bird sanctuary. We spotted some baby deer during our walk.

Theo suddenly hates wearing shoes. I feel you, Theo.

On Friday evening my dad said he wanted to go for a walk. I said to see nature or houses? He said nature. We went over to Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park. I had wanted to check this place it out. It had a really nice nature center and new playground.

We even did some geocaching. Looks like this one hadn't been found in awhile.

After a walk around the lake we let the kids and grown ups play.

On Saturday, we took them to Taylor's Falls. The first thing we did when we arrived was take the Taylor's Falls Scenic Boat Tour. 

It was kind of neat to see the dalles from the water side. 

I still can't figure out why some places spell it dalles, others dallas and of course the more well known, dells.

Someday we'll canoe this portion of the St. Croix.

We'll just have to avoid the paddle boats. Some folks nearly got run over by the paddle boat we were on.

Theo really wanted to see the big paddles. The boat was built in the La Crosse area. The St. Croix River is a major tributary of the Mississippi.

I was wondering how this boat can go on this river with all the rocks and especially with the low water level this year. Apparently it only goes 17" into the water.

Lady, don't go that way!

Makes me want to go to Wisconsin Dells and ride the ducks. 

We'll have to go with your parents. They love boat rides.

Mom always complains that we go to too many breweries. To make up for it we went to Dancing Dragonfly Winery for lunch and wine. Since we had 6 people they put us on the picnic table seating area near the vineyards. Probably okay since it gave the kids room to play. 

My mom and I each got a flight. You get to keep one of the glasses with your flight. 

The pizza was pretty good. We maybe ordered too much. 

That meant I had to eat way too much.

Next we showed them the glacial potholes at Interstate Park. 

I guess the recent rain flooded some out. 

The kids were in their element. 

As was Grandpa.

Hey a rare photo with all of us in it. 

Thanks selfie-station.

We lucked out with the weather today. All the storms went right around us. This also caused most of the crowds not to come. I don't think I've ever been to Interstate State Park with so few people there.

Next we took the river walk over to downtown. 

We somehow got Mike and Gail to walk up to the Drive-In for the worlds smallest sundae and root beer floats.

You know it's been a good day when...

Come back and visit us again!