Back again and HAPPY

It was a quick trip.  I drove away from home Friday morning about 10:00 AM and arrived back home Monday about 12:30 PM.  I survived Spirit Airline with their minimal service.  I did not even go for the $3 bottle of water they offered!  I actually have NO complains when a person can spend 6 hours in a plane, 3 hours in airports and visit Minnesota from Florida for $120!  I mean I do not think one could drive it for that, well I am sure about that.  My plane touched down in MN at 3:30 PM Friday and as I exited the airport Travis was there to pick me up.  From there it was about a 4 hour trip to the Lodge south of Rutland ND.  Actually the address for Coteau des Prairies Lodge is Havana ND.  The lodge was built by the Brecker Family after their Mom and Dad passed away and left an inheritance that enabled the family to build this wonderful destination lodge for many.  It has 13 bedrooms and is filled with history of ND.  Getting back to my trip.  Travis and I pulled up to the lodge and were greeted by MANY Saunders family and ALL of my children and ALL 14 grandkids.

I should add something about the weather.  For February 1st the weather could not have been better.  As we left Sunday the temp was 40 and sunny skies.  What was interesting was the wind.  I remember the wind when I was a child but here, up on top of a hill the wind swept every so strongly.  When we arrived I opened the car door and I thought the wind was going to take the door off.  As I tried to go to sleep at night the wind howled through the lodge.  IF it had been cold, oh my the weather would have been NOT good but we were thankful for what we had.

The Lodge is built atop of a hill where, on a clear day, you can see Forman, Rutland, Cayuga and Geneseo.  Maybe even Havana and Lidgerwood but I am not sure of that.  It sits about 6 miles or so straight west of where our farm was.  As I have said in the past where our home and farm buildings were at one time now one sees a corn or bean or wheat field!

About the weekend.  Everything took place on Saturday.  Viewing was at 10:00.  A rosary was said at 10:30.  The funeral started at 11:00.  After the funeral the burial took place in the cemetery just south of Cayuga and then there was a lunch at the hall.  Of course we had potatoes with ham bits, colsala, a salad, buns with ham on them, pickles and bars.  The lunch was delicious. Most people then went back to the lodge where there was too much food, many lively table tennis games, several competitions in cards and little kids ALL over the place with toys and programs on TV.  Grandma Saunders had 25 grandchildren and I believe 22 were there.  She had 45 great grand children and I believe about 40 were there.  One of the in laws took a great group picture and I will post it when it is sent out.  The picture was taken right after the funeral.  One of the funny things of the day was what the priest said after the funeral.  Grandson Henry was one of the servers and Henry is 6' 3" I think.  The priest gave a short talk about young people going into the religious life.  He said there were no robes large enough for Henry to wear so he had to wear a robe intended for the priest!  He wondered if that said anything!  It got a good laugh.

At the luncheon they had the stage covered with things that Grandma had and most were for the taking.  Mary Saunders said afterward that what was left she would box up and take to Goodwill.  As one walked around the table looking at things it was pretty evident that Grandma was from the depression years.  It had me thinking of what my kids would put on tables like that after I die.

Travis and I had a bit to eat Sunday morning and then headed towards St. Paul about 8:00 or so.  We took the south route which was shortest and went through Veblen SD.  Not sure Travis enjoyed the drive around Veblen but I pointed out some places in the town that used to be important but today are shut down and maybe forgotten by many.  There are enough homes in the town that says it is not a dying rural town as of yet.  One would not say that if you drove around Geneseo or Cayuga.

We got home to St. Paul about noon.  Cynthia/Mike had invited us to their place for the super bowl and then they sang Happy Birthday to Grandpa!  When I arrived home in Naples yesterday about 12:30 I was exhausted, from what?  Well I do not like to fly so that was one thing.  There were some things over the weekend that made life difficult in some ways BUT I have no complains.  I have a wonderful life and much goes to Terry's credit.  She is great.  I have children and grand children that seem to be well adjusted and doing so so well in life which is great.  AND how can one complain about living in MN in the summer and Naples in the winter?

I will end today with pictures from the lodge looking east.  Land where we hunted fox, rabbits, deer and more.  It is a great landscape and tells much about life in North Dakota.  It really is a very beautiful setting.  For me I have fond memories of growing up in that area.  I would not trade my childhood for anything but yet I am so thankful for where I am and how my life is now.