Independence Weekend

In Minnesota, as in much of the nation I suspect, the Fourth of July Holiday means parades, fireworks, water activities and beer... I am proud to report that we had it all!

Our Tucson friends are camping with us for a few days before heading back to 'the land of dry heat", so on Friday we took them on a tour of New Ulm... what better place to start the weekend then at Schells Brewery!

If you have been there, you know that peacocks roam the grounds freely - well, it is mating season and this young fellow was really showing off for the female... who wanted nothing to do with him!He had everything puffed out!
And she was more interested in us!
Oh yea, and we sampled the beer, too. When in this great German town, we also stopped to see Herman the German...We sampled German Cuisine for lunch, bought Swiss chocolate at Domeiers...And then headed home... But not before our friends checked to see if the corn was going to meet 4th of July standards.

On Independence Day, we enjoyed the parade in Elysian - It had fire trucks and floats, Shriners and candy, and lots of Honor Guards from neighboring towns; it was a very good parade. This young man came prepared for candy... but he was even happy to get a ruler!In the evening, we enjoyed fireworks from the pontoon and the shore - they are fun to try and photograph.

On Sunday, we enjoyed church, a pancake breakfast, car show, flea market and then a pontoon ride and later a fish fry (using our walleye from South Dakota). I love these pictures of Bob and Corky doing the cooking - a typical couple working together... The fish was wonderful, the company and stories even better. Overall, it was a fine Independence Weekend. Hope you all had a similar experience.

P.S. I exceeded by June total of pictures in just three days - I must be feeling better!