Minneapolis

My program at work has an annual conference every autumn.  This year it was in Minneapolis (in November...who came up with that idea...but I did get to see my first snowfall).

View of downtown from my hotel room.

The reception one night was at an old flour mill.  Great view and great history of the mills.

Early morning run...sunrise over downtown (that is just frost, not snow yet).

Claes Oldenburg sculpture outside the art museum.

Went to see Thomas Dolby's film The Lighthouse, which he provided live music/speaking along with it, and then after a Q&A, he performed a few songs after as well.

Sound effects guy...forget his name..but he's done lots of famous stuff.

He brought local celeb "Doctor" Fink up on stage for a Q&A as well (from Prince's band The Revolution).  Turns out he and his family were sitting right in front of us the whole show!

Snow!  Didn't amount to much, but it flurried pretty good for awhile.

My trip wouldn't be complete w/o a stop at the Mall of America!

At the mall...

My first run with PACK!

A few months ago, I was exposed to PACK at the Run for the Animals 5k Run/Walk to benefit the Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary.  PACK - People & Animal Cardio Klub - is a group of volunteers who meet in Rock Creek Park to run with adoptable dogs from the Washington Humane Society.  I thought...I like dogs and I like to run...and I've always been hesitant to volunteer at a shelter, but decided this would be a perfect way to help.  So I signed up!

Check out more about PACK here.

On this cold October morning, I joined PACK for the first time to run 3 miles through Rock Creek Park with the dogs.  I just couldn't resist taking pictures of the cuties after the run...here are a few:

"I'm not tired, I'm ready to run a few more miles"

(they were so much better behaved than I thought...most know "sit")

 Getting a good belly rub after the run!

And of course lots of treats too...

"Where are my treats?"

All of these dogs are up for adoption at the Washington Humane Society!

I also want to share that the more I learn about the Washington Humane Society, the more I like them and want to support them.  So I've actually since started volunteering at adoption events as well!  (partially because the government shutdown thwarted my plans to start running with PACK in early October since Rock Creek Park was closed)  Everyone I've met, staff and volunteers, have all been wonderful people.  In my short time volunteering, I've already seen so many dogs and cats find their forever home.  It's such a good feeling :-)

New Jersey State Capitol

On a road trip to NJ with my Mom, we visited Trenton to go to the state archives.  Since it was right next door, we also visited the capitol :-)

NJ has been the only capitol where you couldn't wander around on your own...you could only go on a guided tour.  Luckily, we just made it in time to join one.

WY Road Trip - Day 14 (last day)

We spent most of the day driving.

We dropped grandpa off in Columbus so he could turn around and drive back to WY. Here's his rental w/Kid C, who liked the color:

No pictures, but the "Mr Medium" nickname was born in Ohio when we took a break to get ice cream. Mr. Medium, you know who you are.

And a grand welcoming home:

WY Road Trip - Day 13

Next capitol...Madison. There was a weekend farmers market going on outside:

Inside the dome:

The "Liberty Bell" was inside at this capitol:

Interesting decor...

View from the top, of my car on the street:

On to Illinois next, and the Illinois Railway Museum in Union:

There were a ton of trains there:

And they restored trains (look at that big smile on Kid C's face):

There were old run down trains too:

We walked up and down the aisles of at least 10 barns full of trains:

(look at that smile still...)

Eating in the dinning car:

A train ride to lull them to sleep:

Until the train horn blared:

Train car from Michigan City, IN...which we drove through later that same day (although it was getting dark, so no pictures):

But first, we drove by downtown Chicago and the Sears Tower ("No, Auntie, it's the Willis Tower"):