Minneapolis

 September 26.

The day began with rain which continued more or less most of the day. A good day to be inside. Yesterday we had learned from niece Rachel that grandniece Marlowe was going to be at a skating lesson this morning so we got the deets for the time and place and headed over to the Bloomington Ice Garden. A massive three-rink facility that caters to all skaters young and old was a short drive from our hotel, and we arrived in time for the 11 AM session.

It took just a question or two once we were inside to learn where Marlowe's class was to be held. Along the way we met a woman whose daughter was in the same class and, since she's a local, she steered us to rink three.

Between the warm conversation with Laura and watching the kids on the ice going through their movements we enjoyed ourselves very much indeed.

rink three before skating lessons

Marlowe is in the white top and blue leggings center back in the photo below.

Marlowe's group

After saying goodbye to Rachel and the kids we headed back to our hotel where we dropped off our car and called an Uber to take us into town. While we would've loved to have dropped into WJM and visited with Mary, Lou, Murray, Ted, Sue Anne and the rest of the gang, our goal today was to visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Like Cleveland and St. Louis this museum is also free -- Grand Rapids could learn a thing or two here -- and we enjoyed an hour or so strolling through the "European and American Art before 1900" galleries. 

It wasn't so much that we had limited time as we had less inclination to spend on contemporary art, Egyptian or Ancient art.

Prairie School architecture and design 

Below are a number of paintings that struck us in so many ways (how do we count the ways??).

View of Tangier from the Seashore (1856-58) by Eugene Delacroix

Portrait of Countess Maria Theresia Bucquoi neé Parr (1793) by Elisabeth Vigée-Le Brun

Fishing Vessels Offshore in a Heavy Sea (1684) by Ludolph Backhuysen

(the bride) After the Reception (1887) by Douglas Volk

We were disappointed that the restaurant was closed and, since we were eager for a bite of lunch, we Ubered back to the hotel and had a light repast next door at Mallard's. Stephen Engels claimed the food was good and we weren't disappointed: Susie had a salad and I thoroughly enjoyed a small bowl of red beans and rice.

That evening we drive the four minutes to the Engels home where we got a chance to see their new space -- and of course get the tour of the kids' rooms. Marlowe kindly treated us to a few tunes on her keyboard and we were properly wowed.

The meal was based on a recipe from Stephen's mom Rita who lives in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. A braised chicken dish with mashed potatoes; we brought a loaf of cheese bread which was the weak link of an otherwise scrumptious meal. 

Susie, me, Stephen with Elliott and Marlow in front, Rachel snapping the pic

Conversation was lively, lots of laughs about one thing or another, along with more down-to earth and personal talks about life. We were a bit sad to have to say goodnight. But we have another leg to go tomorrow as we head to Huntley, Illinois to visit my brother Greg and his wife Joyce. One night there and then it's home Monday,