The Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see 

The Basilica of St. Mary

in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The details were endless.  

You could think you noticed everything then realize you probably only seen half of everything!

The first Basilica of America

It definitely takes you back even before entering doors!

I know what it takes to operate a small country Church, but cannot

imagine what it takes to maintain this master piece!

Unfortunately I didn't get to hear the bells ringing or the organ playing.

Close your eyes and imagine the gong!

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Mississippi River in Minneapolis

Just like advertisements along a roadway, the Mississippi River also provides ample

opportunity for some advertising.  

In downtown Minneapolis you can see the many places that have been staple

for years and years!

--North Star Blankets  (woolen mill)

Pillsbury has to get their mid west grains moving on the river!

Gold medal flour

The flour comes in handy for that great homemade pie!

The mighty Mississippi is not to be contended!

You can walk across the fierce water on the stone arch bridge and get an eyeful

of the grain mills and the locks.

Cross over from Minneapolis to St. Paul!

I'm still amazed to see waterfalls on the Mississippi!

It just goes to show - I have so much more to learn!

Mississippi River in Minneapolis, MN

I've been lucky enough to see the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri and New Orelans, Louisiana.  This time I was amazed yet again by the river in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This time I was able to see one of the locks and falls on the river.

..an engineer marvel!

You can see the river swiftly running between Minneapolis and St. Paul on the left

and the locks on the right.  

River taming isn't for the meek!

Keeping the water where it should be and keeping the

 boats/barges going up or down river is a full time job!

The Stone Arch bridge in the background is a great place to walk across

the Mississippi and see the locks from all sides.  

This isn't the usual picture when you imagine what the Mississippi looks like.

There's always a surprise around every bend in life!

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Mall of America; Minnesota

Mall of America

We were headed West from Pennsylvania; and was relatively close to

Minneapolis, so of course we had to check out the shopping.

At one time this would've been a destination I craved, but I'm growing

to enjoy the minimalist approach to life and want experiences instead 

of stuff.  If you were looking for something, it'll definitely be here though.

My thoughts kept coming up with 'overwhelming'.

The Ninja Turtles shop here too!

Columbus even made it this far west!

I was wondering if this globe was made prior to his discoveries or as a result of them....

ROUND

A knight in shining Lego armor was on the prowl to finish his Christmas shopping!

When a lego transformer interrupts your pathway, you step aside and 

give him the right a way.

I think this is the scene that had me feeling overwhelmed.

Too much going on. 

Too busy.

Too loud.

BUT- there's many that would find this an excellent spot for the whole

family to spend a day or two or three!

Mid West Highway Barns

Passing the time when headed west:

Read a little, read a little more, get a drink, yell at the other vehicles on the road, 

steal a nap, look at the GPS, but wait... snap barn pictures!

Driving through Wisconsin and Minnesota I had ample opportunities to get a few barn

pictures.  I missed a few, but got to capture lots!

Barns with silos get my attention first.  

Add a little flair to your barn with a quilt painting and that'll surely get noticed!

After experiencing some mid west storms I can only imagine how some silos lost their tops!

Most of the barns have lost their paint too!

The barn in the middle of nowhere with no residence and no silo.

What's the story?  Did something happen to the house?  Did the silo blow away?

 Is this one of many barns on the property?

There's another trip game ~~ make up stories about the things you encounter!

What's your favorite thing to do when you're a passenger on a long trip?

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