Fun in Minnesota

 Our friend from Naperville (and a cruising friend), Bryan Pugh, was in Minneapolis on business and drove up on Tuesday to see us in Duluth. He is also a past running buddy and was the friend who ran the Duluth marathon with Ron several years ago.  Ron has always called it the "tad more" marathon, because Bryan kept asking Ron if he could do just a tad more speed.  Bryan is from Wales where people say "tad."  Ron took advantage of having a "friend" in town and off they went for a mountain bike adventure.  It was sponsored by a biking shop so the bikes (expensive ones) were provided and also a guide and snacks.  They had a wonderful time!  The guide was really good;  taking them on trails that would be thrilling but wouldn't kill or maim them.

      

You  might be wondering what I was doing while they were biking?? I finished this quilt top and I was almost as happy as them and certainly not as sweaty.  Pretty much perfect day when Bryan took us out to eat.

      We went to help with the food bank again and the food was different but the volunteers were the same.  I had an interesting discussion with the woman I worked  with checking in the people.  She felt comfortable enough to ask me many questions about our mission and also about the church.  I hope we talk again next week.

On Saturday night we went to  dinner with a couple who have been taught the  lessons by the missionary couple who was here three years ago.  They did not get baptized but they love going to dinner with the senior missionaries.  They are about our age and live in Duluth except for the 3 months in the winter when they move to Mexico.  They know quite a bit about the Church and a lot about our assignment.  Pretty interesting to explore what they know about the gospel and what they think.  She said, "I don't know why I love being with the missionaries.  I don't know what that says about me."  I answered, "I think it says you should get baptized."  

Outside of a sporting goods store we saw these displays.  We can identify the kayaks-in all colors and sizes.   Land of 10,000 lakes, you know. We can identify the duck blinds.  But we are not at all sure what the three little houses are for.  They each have a big heater on the end. Do you think they are for ice fishing?  Or a place to wait for the bus?  Do you think they are saunas?  Or maybe the three little pigs?   

       Minnesota is very entertaining!