A Trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin

During our recent trip to Wisconsin and Minnesota we spent some time at the Mall of America. After lunch and a good walk in the mall we headed back toward our hotel in Plymouth. Driving up France Avenue in Edina, I said to Connie, "Can we stop by my old house and take a picture with my new camera?" We pulled up in front of the house on a beautiful, sunny day -- but a lady was sitting on the front step talking on a cell phone.

Connie called out to the lady and asked if we could take a picture. She replied, "Wait a minute," and was soon off the phone. Turns out she is a nurse and was on an important call to a doctor. 

After telling her that I had lived in the house as a boy, she asked if I would like to come inside and see how it looks today. Connie said, "My, you are a trusting soul to let strangers come in." But she assured us that we looked very trustworthy and she was glad to let us come in to see her house. Here is the house at 5248 Vincent Aveune South in Minneapolis.

Upon entering the house I was amazed that it looked so much like it did in 1946 to 1954 when we lived there. I was especially struck with the beautiful dining room. It looked exactly like I remembered! In fact, I said, "I have a picture of our mother with Christmas dinner that is amazing."

Here is that picture. Notice how that all of the beautiful, built-in cabinet work has been completely preserved. Even the "old fashioned" radiators are still preserved and obviously functioning.

Then we turned toward the living room, and the attached Sun Room, and realized everything had been carefully preserved down through the years.

When we returned to the hotel I found this picture on my iPad -- that I didn't remember I had. It shows our father sitting in front of that very fireplace. The only difference is that the brick has been painted. But once again those ageless radiators are standing tall and true after almost 60 years since we moved to Chicago in 1954.

But the most exciting place to me was the kitchen. Even though it has been upgraded with some new cabinetry, wall coverings and appliances -- it maintains the same configuration, and the Breakfast Nook is still there! It was from climbing out of that Nook and kneeling at that counter that I trusted Christ as my Saviour over 60 years ago. What wonderful memories!

We also had a great time in Madison with Chad and Jen, and with Kirk -- plus meeting Amy, Kirk's co-worker and special friend. We even got the opportunity to go for a bike ride in bicycle friendly Madison. We rented bikes from the B-cycle kiosks that are located along the city bike trails. Good times!

We also celebrated Kirk's birthday early at a very nice restaurant overlooking Lake Monona, on the edge of downtown Madison.