The first weekend in August, there was a birthday celebration for Sarah at Kevin & Emily’s. There were a lot of good friends and good food.

August 5 we played trivia at Rendezvous Brewing with Lani and Emily on our team. It was a close night and we tied for second.

August 7 we drove to Minneapolis. We stayed at the Emery in downtown Minneapolis. We went out on foot that evening and went to Bricksworth for some pizza and beer. On the way back we stopped at the Monte Carlo and O’Donovan’s.

Friday, August 8 was Karla’s birthday. We started out with a delicious breakfast at Hell’s Kitchen. Karla went to get her nails done and I wandered around downtown. That afternoon we went to the Walker Art Center. We walked through he sculpture garden and then went to the roof to play artist designed mini golf. After looking through some of the galleries, we walked back downtown and made a stop at Mackenzie. Back at the hotel we got ready for the evening. We met our friends Andy & Terry at Owami. It was great to see them and the bison steak was amazing. After dinner, we went to Milwaukee Road for desert and a nightcap. Mary, Mike, Julie and Brent met us there for a drink.

The morning of August 9 we ventured to Northeast Minneapolis. I stopped at Surdyks to pick up some Fair State. For lunch we went to Young Joni. We had never been there and were impressed by their pizza. After lunch we met our friend Lauren at the Yard House for a beer. We went to the hotel and got ready for the evening. We took a Lyft to the Glass House for Rachel and Joe’s wedding. It was a nice ceremony and after was a fun dinner and party. It was good to see the Ludzacks and friends. I even did a little dancing.

August 12 we played trivia with Lauren & Walker on our team. We had a good night and took first place. After trivia we went to Barrel & Vine for a nightcap.

August 14 we went to Park Rapids for Second Street Stage. After a stop at the food trucks, we listened to Forge North. They were more country than I expected, but very entertaining.

August 15 was our 19th wedding anniversary. We headed north and made a stop at the Docksider. We kept going, and because we still had time before our dinner reservation, we stopped at the Big Winnie Bar. We were just in time for the first drawing of the meat raffle. Karla drew the ticket but we did not win. Then we went to the Big Fish. It was fun to try a new place and the food was very good.

Saturday, August 16, we went to a fundraiser at Deep Portage. Charley and Mama Wager provided tunes during social hour. Then there was a yummy dinner (including smoked prairie chicken from Norm) and then raffle drawings. Karla won a loon print and I won a gift certificate to Jack Pine Brewery.

August 19 we played trivia again and took first place.

Saturday, August 23 we went on a hike at Stoney Point. The hike was not very long, but it has a great view of Leech Lake and a nice campground.

For lunch we went to the Pikedale Lodge. Another place we had not been before. That evening we sold Faith in Action raffle tickets at the Bluegrass Festival in Pine River.

August 26 Karla was not feeling well, so I went to trivia without her. I was on a good team, but I could not get any of the yacht rock songs without Karla. We came in fourth.

Friday, August 29 was a company holiday, so I did not have to work. That morning we went to the Woodpile in Longville with Allison. We first played a round of mini golf and then had some tasty sandwiches. That afternoon, our friend Ben came to visit.

Saturday morning Ben, Karla & I went out to see some art. Our first stop was at Creations by the Lake. It is an amazing place with a lot of stuff to see. Karla found some decorative wall art that we are going to take to Sierra Vista. Next we checked out some of Art Off 84. Including a really busy stop in Longville. For lunch we we to The Anchorage Inn. We went back to widow lake and it was a beautiful day. We went out on the Pontoon and relaxed and did some swimming. That evening Karla, Ben, Mike, Allison and I went into Hackensack. Our first stop was at the Hack Muni for beer, pizza, darts and TouchTunes. Then we went to Rendezvous Brewing and sat on the patio and listened to Charley Wagner. It was a fun evening.

Sunday, August 31, was a relaxing day. We went on a long pontoon ride on Woman Lake. That evening, Ben, Karla and I listened to records in the studio.