MINNESOTA, SPRING 2024: BETWEEN WINTER AND SUMMER

TEN BLOG JEST DOSTĘPNY W JĘZYKU POLSKIM/THIS BLOG IS AVAILABLE IN THE POLISH LANGUAGE

DEPARTURE DAY LOGISTICS, OR: THE ART OF NOT FORGETTING ANYTHING

Last-minute packing • Airline math that hurts slightly • The quiet satisfaction of a digital boarding pass • The cost of air travel in Canada

A rather empty St. Paul-Minneapolis Airport

Even though I had been packing for a couple of days, I still had to spend an hour or so on March 27, 2024, the day of my departure, making sure that I had not forgotten anything important. I was glad that Peter (my friend, who was staying at my home) suggested that I check in online and get my boarding pass digitally, thus saving time at the airport—indeed, there was such an option, and I immediately took advantage of it.

By the way, the total price for the return Air Canada flights (Toronto YYZ – Minneapolis MSP and Minneapolis MSP – Toronto YYZ) was $549.39, PLUS I had to pay, each time, $36.75 for one checked bag. Thus, the total price came to $622.89 (Canadian currency), or $460.35 US. Clearly, modern air travel rewards minimalism—and punishes sweaters, books, and winter coats. Perfect for nudists travelling to tropical countries—not that Minnesota is one of them, especially in March!

A TAXI RIDE, A FORGOTTEN PHONE, AND A SMALL HUMAN DRAMA

A punctual cab • A lost phone • International cooperation before airport security

Carver Reserve in March, 2024

The taxi showed up on time. The driver, a Palestinian man from Haifa, showed me a cell phone that a passenger had just left in the cab. Since there was a PIN number, he was unable to open it and call the owner. At that very moment, the phone rang—it was the cell phone owner’s son. I explained the whole situation, and he was supposed to call the taxi driver later to arrange the pickup of the phone.

I paid the driver $40 and went to check in my suitcase. I also completed a U.S. Customs form on my cell phone and took a selfie—something I never imagined would one day be part of an official border-crossing procedure.

ENTERING THE UNITED STATES… WHILE STILL IN CANADA

Preclearance magic • A few questions • The legal grey zone of international travel

Catherine's garden looks so different, so bare in March...

Since Pearson Airport provides United States border preclearance facilities, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers (in 1952 it became the first airport in the world to provide such facilities), I quickly proceeded there and did not have to complete any additional documents.

When it was my turn, the officer asked me only one question: the purpose of my visit. And just like that, I had “entered” the United States. Well—not exactly. Legally, I was still in Canada. The U.S. officials could question me but did not have the power to detain or arrest me; however, they certainly could deny my boarding (or I could simply abandon my flight). International travel is full of these fascinating technicalities.

KILLING TIME, TIM HORTONS, AND CUBAN RUM

Airport waiting rooms • Duty-free temptation • An unexpected Cuban surprise

But soon I spotted Red Cardinals, which are a clear sign of coming Spring

Since boarding was not going to occur for a couple of hours, I headed toward Tim Hortons and bought a bagel and a cup of coffee. I then spent over two hours in the waiting room, reading on my Chromebook and browsing the duty-free stores.

They carried very expensive merchandise—but, amazingly, I noticed that I could purchase original Havana rum—yes, made in Cuba! I say “amazingly” because it was illegal to bring Cuban products into the United States. Apparently, there was a loophole: by buying it in that store—which technically was already in the United States—it was possible to bring it in legally. Later, I posted my findings on a Cuba-related travel forum, surprising many long-time travelers to Cuba who had no idea such a loophole existed.

FLYING WEST AND GAINING AN HOUR… AND FINALLY MEETING CATHERINE!

Empty seats • A window view • The rare joy of arriving earlier than expected • Wi-Fi • Meeting Catherine • The comforting end of a long day

A couple of times we went to a roadside restaurant for a drink

Boarding for AC8721 started at 8:30 p.m. There were many empty seats, and I ended up with a window seat. The plane took off at 9:12 p.m. and landed one hour and forty minutes later in Minneapolis—at 9:52 p.m. Central Standard Time. Yes, I “saved” one hour, which always feels like a small personal victory.

Thanks to U.S. preclearance, our flight was treated as a domestic arrival, and I did not have to go through any additional immigration or customs procedures. The airport was relatively empty, with very few passengers around.

Once I connected to Wi-Fi, I called Catherine and waited for her at “Arrival Door 2.” Soon she showed up, picked me up, and before long we were at her home in Victoria, Minneapolis—marking the end of the journey and the beginning of the Minnesota chapter.

HOLY WEEK IN MINNESOTA: SNOW, FAITH, FAMILY, AND FIRSTS

A very different Holy Thursday • Winter landscapes • Masses in Latin and Spanish • Wildlife surprises • Time with Catherine and the Munchkins—shadowed by quiet remembrance

Happy Easter!

The next day, March 28, 2024, was Holy (Maundy) Thursday. For probably 30 consecutive years (except during COVID-related restrictions and in 2022, when I myself got COVID), I had attended the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto. Just the previous year, I had met my friend Guy several hours before the Mass and we had dinner at Fran’s Restaurant, vis-à-vis Massey Hall on Victoria Street, just steps from the Cathedral. This year, for the first time in decades, Holy Thursday found me not in Toronto, but in Minnesota.

Trails in Carver Reserve

It was also my first time experiencing Minnesota during winter, and the scenery was dramatically different from what I remembered from summer visits. Unlike in Toronto, there was plenty of snow everywhere. All the trees in Catherine’s backyard were completely bare, and for the first time I could actually see the neighboring houses—and even a road—which in summer is normally hidden behind dense foliage. Winter has a way of revealing things, whether one wants it to or not. I tried to keep up my routine: exercising daily and making fresh lemon and orange juice for breakfast, as if to remind my body that spring would eventually come.

Later that day Catherine arrived with Munchkin Senior—Autumn—whom I liked very much from the start. I brought her a few small gifts from Canada, complete with Canadian motifs, since she could one day apply for Canadian citizenship. We then went to nearby Carver Reserve and walked along the bike trails—the very same ones we had ridden during the summer. Once again, the contrast was striking: snow-covered paths, leafless trees, and a quiet stillness that felt almost contemplative. After Michelle picked up Autumn, we drove to Waconia—often affectionately (and incorrectly) referred to by me as “Draconia” 😁—for essential shopping at Aldi and Dollar Tree.

Here I should add something important: this was my first trip since the rather unexpected passing of my Mother on January 1, 2024. This very sad event was still extremely fresh, and I found myself thinking about her every single day. The combination of Holy Week, winter landscapes, and being away from home made those reflections even more present.

I was very glad that I had bought a Chromebook and brought it with me. On March 29, 2024—Good Friday—I was able to watch the Good Friday celebrations from Vatican City, celebrated by Pope Francis, in Latin. It was a very solemn and moving experience, and it also marked the beginning of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

Pileated Woodpecker in Catherine's backyard

On March 30, 2024, Holy Saturday, I spent an hour exercising and then some quiet time on the deck in Catherine’s backyard. Suddenly, I heard a very familiar pecking sound and noticed a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker in the garden. Not long after, I spotted a Bald Eagle flying overhead. What a treat! These are species I never see in my garden in Mississauga. Minnesota was clearly making an effort to impress me. Later that day, Catherine and I went for a gentle stroll in the neighborhood.

March 31, 2024—Easter Sunday. We were supposed to attend the Catholic church in Victoria early in the morning, but that plan did not quite work out. Instead, we drove to Chaska and attended Easter Mass at noon, celebrated in Spanish, at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, located at 215 W 2nd St. The Mass was celebrated by Father Tony Vander Loop, who was fluent in Spanish—although I strongly suspect it was his second language. Sitting near the back of the church, we were also able to witness a baptism up close. Interestingly, the priest and I were probably the tallest individuals in the entire church! Although my very, very basic Spanish allowed me to understand only fragments, it was still a fascinating experience: my first Mass in Spanish and an opportunity to see a vibrant Latino community living in the area.

Munchkins

After Mass, we picked up the Munchkins and went to a playground in Waconia, where we met a very nice lady with three kids, who turned out to be a chiropractor. It was a fitting end to a reflective, quietly eventful Holy Week—marked by faith, family, unexpected wildlife, and the slow realization that spring, like healing, arrives in its own time.

APRIL FOOLS’ DAY TRIP TO PARK RAPIDS, CABIN LIFE, AND THRIFT SHOPS

Road trip with Autumn • Stops at McDonald’s and “Treasure City” • Arrival at Park Rapids cabin • First encounters with Munchkin Jr. • Early wake-up attempts by Munchkins • Relaxing morning • Visiting thrift shops • Enjoying leisure time

Autumn enjoying her meal at McDonald's in Buffalo, MN

April 1, 2024—April Fools’ Day—started with Catherine, Autumn, and me heading north to the cabin in Park Rapids. Autumn was our most important passenger, naturally. Our first stop was McDonald’s in Buffalo, followed by a detour to Treasure City, a store packed with hundreds of overpriced and mostly useless items. Catherine didn’t exactly want to stop, but the Munchkins knew the drill—they could sense a tourist trap from a mile away! Autumn bought some play coins, though it turned out she cared less about the coins themselves than the thrill of picking, packing, and purchasing them.

Three minutes after we arrived, Michelle with Everett (Munchkin Jr.) showed up, and shortly afterward Rob arrived. After unpacking, we took a walk to the nearby park to stretch our legs, enjoy the fresh air, and let the kids explore. In the evening, we drove into Park Rapids to the newly-opened Aldi store—Catherine was thrilled. We also stopped at Walmart for a grilled chicken and some coffee. I really like Park Rapids (46°55'19.5"N 95°03'30.0"W / 46.922083, -95.058333)—a cozy town of just over 4,000 residents, yet surprisingly well-equipped for small-town life.

Munchkins in the cabin, in my "bedroom"

The next day, the Munchkins were up bright and early, attempting (unsuccessfully) to wake me before 8:00 am. I managed to hold out until 10:00 am, then exercised, got the Internet working, and caught up on two issues of the Wall Street Journal. Later, we went to the AmeriInn Motel with the Munchkins to enjoy the swimming pool, followed by a visit to the Depo thrift shop—though nothing caught our eye. A quick stop at the liquor store netted a bottle of wine, expensive but necessary fuel for the adults!

AKELEY ADVENTURES, MUDDY PUDDLES, VODKA ECONOMICS, AND THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI

Paul Bunyan loses to a puddle • Mud, laughter, and a failed rescue mission • Timber trails and a cooperative dog • Liquor stores as anthropological fieldwork • Snow, sand, and nearly-naked Minnesotans-in-training • Guns, stories, and the fine art of local conversation

Paul Bunyan and the Munchkins

On April 3, 2024, together with Michelle and the Munchkins, we drove to Akeley—a town I had already mentioned in my Minnesota blog from 2023. Last year I had discovered there a huge thrift shop where I bought plenty of books and DVDs, as well as the World’s Largest Paul Bunyan Statue and a very interesting local museum (47°00'11.6"N 94°43'49.5"W / 47.003222, -94.730417).
Naturally, the Munchkins were fascinated by the gigantic Paul Bunyan monument, and we took plenty of photos of them posing heroically in front of it. However, despite Paul Bunyan’s legendary size, axe, and general lumberjack gravitas, he was swiftly and decisively defeated by something far more powerful: a gigantic puddle formed by melting snow.

The puddle immediately became the main attraction. The Munchkins marched straight into it, splashing enthusiastically in muddy water that clearly violated several unwritten parental safety rules. At one point Autumn got stuck, prompting an exasperated Catherine to rescue her—only for Autumn to return immediately to the puddle, as if it were calling her by name. As I was filming this entire operation, I laughed so hard I nearly dropped the camera. Paul Bunyan watched silently. He had lost.

After the puddle festivities, we walked along the Heartland State Trail, where thousands of trains once transported timber long ago. These days, trains are gone, trees are fewer, and small children rule the landscape. We also met a lady with a beautiful dog, which kindly allowed itself to be admired, petted, and briefly treated as an honorary member of the group.

Eventually, the Munchkins left for home with Michelle, while Catherine and I continued on to Dollar General and then drove to the small town of Nevis.

Munchkins enjoying summer-like weather in early Spring on Lake Itasca

On the way back, we stopped at the Dorset Corner Liquor Store—one of my favorite categories of American institutions. I enjoy browsing in such places because most of the products are completely unfamiliar to me and not sold in Canada. From a comparative-economics standpoint, vodka in the United States is astonishingly cheap compared to Ontario. For example, a 1.7-liter bottle of 40% American vodka costs about $10 in Minnesota (roughly $14 Canadian). In Ontario, the same bottle would cost around $65 Canadian. Some cheap American beer is also very cheap in the U.S. compared to Canada. However, higher-quality spirits often cost just as much, or even more, south of the border. Interestingly, it is surprisingly difficult to find European beer in Minnesota. In contrast, stores around Toronto offer dozens of varieties. When I finally found famous Czech Pilsner or Polish Żywiec beer, they actually cost more than in Canada, since stores order only a few cases—apparently (almost) as rare collectibles.

Munchkin Junior in a shopping bag

Early in April, we also drove to Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River begins its long journey south, eventually becoming the mighty river everyone knows. At the Lake Itasca swimming beach, we were completely alone. The Munchkins first played at the playground and then—without hesitation, consultation, or visible concern—took off their clothes and happily enjoyed the beach. It was sunny and warm right by the water, yet just a few meters uphill there were still thick patches of snow. Minnesota spring, in a nutshell: beach weather, snowdrifts, and naked children, all coexisting peacefully.

Back in 2019, we had visited Fuller’s Guns & Pawn and spent about 30 minutes there talking to Royce and another man working in the store. I was fascinated by the wide selection of firearms, some quite old and expensive. One of the men had traveled extensively and entertained us with stories from various countries. I love places like this, where you can learn more in half an hour of conversation than from any guidebook. This time, I returned simply to say “hi” to Royce, a very friendly gentleman. Once again, I ended up chatting with him and another customer—who just happened to be in the store—about everything from guns to local history. I also bought a few CDs and DVDs, because apparently I cannot leave a thrift- or pawn-adjacent establishment empty-handed.

LEAVING THE CABIN

Total and partial solar eclipse • Catherine’s birthday celebrations • Kentucky Coffeetree and evolutionary oddities • Organic, American coffee

Widok z okien domku letniskowego

We left the cabin for Victoria on April 8, 2024—a day that was astronomically significant: a total solar eclipse occurred, visible in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Unfortunately, I missed the spectacle entirely. In Minnesota, only a partial eclipse was observable, but the skies were cloudy, so we didn’t even attempt to gaze at the sun. All we noticed was a slight dimming of the daylight, which could have been either the eclipse or my eyes adjusting to realizing I missed it.

The next day, however, eclipses and astronomical events paled in comparison—Catherine’s birthday! We headed to Michelle’s house to celebrate with her and the Munchkins, making it a truly special day.

Kentucky Coffee Tree

Even though it was too early in the year for biking, the snow had melted enough for us to walk on the trails. I also inspected several Kentucky Coffeetrees near Catherine’s home. The pods, still clinging to the branches, are notoriously tough and poisonous, an evolutionary relic from a time when now-extinct megafauna may have helped them germinate(they ate the pods and nicked the seeds with their large teeth, aiding in germination). I, however, took matters into my own hands and crushed the pods myself and nicked the seeds with a knife—a small triumph of human ingenuity over evolutionary history. Coffee prices had skyrocketed over the past several years and thus Catherine, who had to start her day with a cup of coffee (usually ground and prepared by me), spent a fortune on buying it. In spite my numerous suggestions to plant the Kentucky Coffeetree seeds in her backyard and grow her own, 100% organic American coffee, she never express any interest in doing so. Pity!

VISITING THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT PAUL

Iconic Cathedral visit • Historical plaques (Kennedy and Cardinal Pacelli) • Impressive interior architecture • View of Minnesota State Capitol • Presidential trivia

After returning from our Florida vacation, April 12–26, 2024 (which I described in my Florida blog), we made a trip to the Cathedral of Saint Paul, one of the most distinctive cathedrals in the United States. Sitting atop Cathedral Hill, its copper-clad dome towers over downtown Saint Paul, dedicated to Paul the Apostle, who also lent his name to the city. Opened in 1915, it was designated in 2009 as the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It’s the third-largest Catholic cathedral and sixth-largest church in the country.

John F. Kennedy sat in this very pew during a Holy Mass in 1962 

History buffs like me were delighted to learn that President John F. Kennedy attended the 11 o’clock Mass here on October 7, 1962, during a whirlwind 21-hour Minnesota tour. A plaque marks the pew he sat in—I made sure to sit there too, adding a personal connection to history (and hopefully, another plaque being installed one day, commemorating my occupying the pew on this very day). Earlier, in 1936, Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli (future Pope Pius XII) celebrated Mass here, commemorated by another plaque.

The interior is awe-inspiring, and I wished we had hours to explore it fully, but the Cathedral closes promptly at 5:00 pm. We did manage a stroll through the surrounding neighborhood, catching a view of the Minnesota State Capitol. Fun political fact: Timothy James Walz has served as Minnesota’s 41st governor since 2019 and was the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Nonetheless Kamala Harris, his boss-to-be, lost the election to Donald Trump and Walz had to continue his mundane and boring job in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Loser 😁!

MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM AND THE ENCHANTED SWING

Tulip blooms • Playground adventures • Forest exploration with Munchkins • Enchanted swing fun

We also spent several hours at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, just a short drive from Catherine’s home. I’ve mentioned this place in previous blogs—it never fails to amaze! The tulips were in full bloom, painting the gardens in vibrant spring colors—a welcome contrast to the snow-covered landscapes we had seen earlier in the month.

Everett bravely kept up with the rest of the kids and never asked us for any help

A couple of days before my departure, Catherine and I drove to Chaska with the Munchkins to a playground, where the kids quickly found friends, mostly older girls. Afterwards, we all ventured into a nearby forest. It was so much fun to watch Everett, the three-year-old youngest in the group, bravely keeping pace with the older children. Obviously, he wanted to be part of the group—and he was! Eventually, we reached an “enchanted swing” in the heart of the forest, where the kids took turns swinging while laughing and shouting with joy.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I wondered if wild mushrooms appeared in this forest in the fall. I even showed some photographs to the oldest girl, a frequent visitor, but she had never seen any. Still, it was a magical moment, the kind of simple adventure that makes a spring in Minnesota unforgettable.

FLIGHT DAY CHAOS AND A BACKPACK MIRACLE

On-time ride • Backpack disaster • Frantic calls to Catherine • Airport security drama • Eventual relief

Catherine combines yard work with garden yoga

I was leaving for Canada on May 06, 2024. Since South West Prime Transportation, which had worked so well before, charged only $10, I decided to take advantage of it to get to the airport instead of having Catherine drive me. The van was scheduled to arrive around noon—of course, I had packed the day before and was ready. I had one big suitcase (check-in), one carry-on, and a backpack holding my most valuable items—cameras, gimbal, Chromebook, GPS, chargers, battery banks, and auxiliary supplies. While waiting, I was playing with Everett in the front yard. At one point, he appeared to be scared and said to Catherine that “there is a monster in the basement.” Probably a recent movie had sparked his imagination. Catherine quickly reassured him: no monster! Later I told him there was only a very nice and friendly Pumpkin in the house—and NOT in the basement.

The ride arrived on time. I said goodbye to Catherine and Everett. The van already had another passenger inside, also headed to the airport. The driver pulled up curbside on the road, opened the trunk of the van and I loaded my suitcases. He suggested placing my backpack in the trunk as well, since there was plenty of space. I got inside, and as the car started moving, he slowed down to close the trunk that did not close properly—of course, it had a power gate.

“I have a 22-year-old car, and everything, except for the transmission, is manual,” I said. “Sometimes I think it’s better, as I have more control over things.” Little did I know then how prophetic my words would prove to be!

After about 40 minutes, we arrived at the airport. I went to retrieve my luggage—and I was mortified: my backpack was missing!!! For a few seconds, the driver and I were stunned. How could it disappear? We hadn’t stopped anywhere, and the other passenger didn’t have any baggage in the trunk. Then it hit me: the automatic rear gate had not fully closed. That was why the driver slowed and pressed the button again. Before the gate fully closed, my backpack must have rolled out and fallen onto the road!

I could see St. Paul, the Capitol Building and the Cathedral

Panic ensued. I immediately called Catherine, but she didn’t pick up—of course, it was Everett’s nap time, and her phone was on silent. I instructed the driver to head back to her house while I waited at the airport, hoping he could retrieve the backpack. I kept trying to reach Catherine through calls and texts, and even used the courtesy phone at the airport—but to no avail. Sweat was streaming down my back, mostly from my heavy winter coat, and the anxiety was intense.

Meanwhile, I checked-in my big suitcase at the counter, sharing my story with a very nice lady. She was quite amazed and reassured me: if I was going to be late, she would personally escort me through security. That promise alone was comforting, and it allowed me to focus on tracking down the backpack and calling Catherine. Finally, after probably 20 calls, she answered! Everett had woken up because the phone, left on his bed, had kept vibrating, causing him to complain about “the phone making a lot of noise.” Miraculously, Catherine spotted my backpack resting on a large rock near her house—someone must have found it and placed it there. She contacted the transportation company, the driver retrieved the backpack and returned it to me at the airport.

Somewhere over Wisconsin (or Michigan)

Relief at last! As per advice of the lady at the counter, I checked-in my carry-on suitcase for free, ending up with only my backpack in hand (or rather on my back). I chatted with her for a while, joking that normally I didn’t have any alcoholic drinks at the airport, but today I felt like having a big shot of something very, very strong! She laughingly agreed—but eventually I refrained from having any drink.

Security had its own plans. The body scanner (pod) kept beeping, and I had to enter it repeatedly. The attendant finally asked brusquely, “What are you carrying on you?” “Nothing,” I replied. He pointed to the screen, showing the outline of my body… with allegedly various objects hidden all over! He offered a pat-down in a special area, but I declined—“do it here”. After a careful search of my arms, chest, and legs, he discovered nothing hazardous (and not-hazardous, for that matter). Sweat explained the scanner’s false alarms—mostly due to my heavy coat and the stress of nearly losing my prized electronics. Finally, I was free to proceed to the waiting room. I found a seat, removed my coat, got out my Chromebook, took a deep breath and read the newspaper while waiting for boarding.

The flight itself was uneventful. The aircraft was a Bombardier CRJ900, a regional jet with seating for up to 90 passengers and a range of about 1,350 nautical miles (2,500 km / 1,550 mi). I tried to get some sleep, but having a window seat, I spent a good deal of time simply admiring the view below.

I took one last look at St. Paul — the Cathedral and the Capitol Building clearly visible, along with St. Paul Downtown Airport. Soon afterward, we were flying over Green Bay, Lake Michigan, and Saginaw Bay, where I could distinctly make out Shelter and Channel Island.

We landed in Toronto slightly ahead of schedule, and after a rather prolonged delay in deplaning (so much for our early arrival!), I grabbed a taxi and headed home. Peter was waiting to help with my luggage.

What truly surprised me, however, was the sight of my own garden. The trees were not only fully covered in fresh green leaves, but some were already in bloom. It was hard to believe that when I had left, everything had still looked so bare. What an extraordinary difference six weeks can make.

Later, I asked Catherine to thank Everett for drawing her attention to the vibrating phone — and promised him a dinner of his choice on my next visit.

My garden also looks very green!

REFLECTIONS ON MINNESOTA

Fun with Catherine’s family • Local adventures • Nature • Quiet and fun • Memorable experiences

Catherine's birthday-Happy Birthday to You!!!

My Minnesota trip was full of warmth, even in the snowy spring landscape. I was able to enjoy family moments, from playing with Everett and Autumn to celebrating Catherine’s birthdays and walking trails once covered in winter snow. Visits to the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the Minnesota Arboretum, and hidden forest swings offered a mix of history, architecture, and outdoor exploration. Wildlife sightings—Pileated Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, and even Blue Jays—made each day feel like a naturalist’s dream. Of course, the two-week long trip in April to Florida was the absolute highlight of my whole journey, but I treated it as a separate adventure.

The Munchkins were delightful company, brave and playful, from swinging in enchanted forest glades to testing their agility on playgrounds. The mix of quiet moments in Catherine’s backyard, bustling city excursions, and outdoor adventures created a balance of relaxation, amusement, and occasional chaos—like the backpack incident at the airport—that made the trip memorable.

The weather varied, from Minnesota’s snowy early spring to warmer, sunnier days later, allowing a unique perspective on the changing season. Daily routines of exercise, fresh juice, and exploration gave a rhythm to the visit, while family interactions created heartwarming memories.

All in all, it was a truly remarkable Minnesota spring—filled with laughter, surprises, nature, and reflection. If anything, it reminded me that the best travel stories are those that mix adventure, unexpected challenges, and the joy of sharing experiences with loved ones.

TEN BLOG JEST DOSTĘPNY W JĘZYKU POLSKIM/THIS BLOG IS AVAILABLE IN THE POLISH LANGUAGE

MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS TRIP