Snapshots from a Road Trip...

...to Minnesota for a nephew's wedding reception.

Last Friday evening, after work, we travelled north and west under a glorious summer sunset sky...

...stopping only for supper (forgettable fast food), then later for dessert (highly memorable) at a renowned Norwegian bakery and restaurant.

The Norske Nook, in Osseo, Wisconsin, has a statewide reputation for food and pie - especially pie. Bakery cases are filled with uncountable variations of fruit, nut, cream, and mousse pies, as well as cookies, bars, and other goodies.

This picture is for Astri :)

Mr. M, a notable pie-eater, was in bakery heaven and dithered delightfully over the menu. Somehow he managed to confine himself to two flavours - pecan and peach-raspberry - while I opted for peanut butter-chocolate. Since it was already late and we had miles yet to go, we carried our pie away with us to be consumed later in the comfort of our motel room. (Alas, there are no pictures of this gluttonous feast, which took place under the disapproving eyes of DCI Barnaby and DS Troy [of Midsomer Murders] who were capering across the television screen at the time.)

On Saturday, we followed Interstate 94 west as it gradually dropped towards the state border. We crossed the St. Croix River, which splits off from the mighty Mississippi just south of here...

...and entered Minnesota. With miles to go, and hours yet to drive, we passed through St. Paul, catching a (somewhat fuzzy) glimpse of the Capitol...

...onwards through Minneapolis, and farther north and west until we reached our destination, the bride's university - a beautiful campus, charmingly landscaped...

...and surrounded by trees and water.

The reception was held in the university's former abbey church, now called the Great Hall.

With its stained glass...

...banners hanging from a vaulted ceiling...

...and rather gorgeously painted apse, it made a lovely setting for the celebration.

Hours later, happily full of good food and company, we exchanged hugs with the newlyweds and left to start the long drive home under another spectacular sunset (which was behind us this time).

We drove through the evening and into the wee hours of Sunday, where the stars shone overhead and a not-quite-half-moon rose in the night sky. What a relief, after the long drowsy drive, to pull into our dark driveway, shut off the car engine, stagger into the blessedly quiet house, and fall asleep in our own bed.

East or west, home is best. :)

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