Glorious blue sky today as I left for the fair. I had some trouble getting out the door, trying to reassemble my packs, remove the offending metal detected coin purse, find sun lotion and locate my masks!! I gave up on the mask search and pulled out an older one and raced out the door to make it on time for my first time working the “author shift” at the Alphabet Forest. Today I knew I would be acting as “security” for Alan Page, I couldn’t be late and still needed brunch!

I was one of only a couple cars in the Bart Lot and I got out of my car and what do I see laying in the grass but my lost mask! I realized that was the last place I did the poncho/mask fling yesterday! It’ll go in the wash and be good as new!

I decided to walk up Simpson and see if any former neighbors were out parking cars, but the street was clear. The new orange door at 1347 spruces up the place and it made my heart happy to see dads hostas growing so well! I think it took the new owners about a minute to appreciate the lucrative opportunity in state fair car parking!

Despite the fact it was a weekend day and a clear blue sky forecast, the typical throng was not there.

I cruised through the metal detectors without issue and started to contemplate brunch.

I saw the mascot vehicle on my path to find food so I popped over to the visitors plaza to get a quick picture. Fairborne was on the other side with his own line forming, so Fairchild and I would have to go solo!

I decided on another Gyro, since I needed something not too far away and that would tide me over until mid afternoon.

With lunch in hand, I made my way to the sky glider path as it was busier on the inside than it looked from the outside! Still space between people, but much less than before.

Grateful this climb was not too muddy.

I always love the sky glider pictures against a bright blue sky! I’ll go for a ride at some point! Socially distant and open air!

On a typical weekend day, I take a wide path around the Kidway, unless I was meeting up with some of my kiddos. Today I was actually kind of sad as I went as the crow flies, diagonally through the empty spaces between rides.

Elysia made the observation, and I absolutely concur that the main demographic represented at the fair so far has been people between the ages of 15 and 60. There are so many fewer kids and very few elderly that we’ve seen. I have to say, this is a good thing, in that currently they are still the most vulnerable populations, but with Delta, we’re all vulnerable now.

I got to the Forest, found an empty yellow bench, quickly ate my Gyro and gulped down a big water bottle. I was prepared to take my post along side Justice Alan Page and his daughter Kamie. Alan Page is famous as an NFL Hall of Famer, he was a Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice, and awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He’s a pretty good sousaphone player, but in the Alphabet Forest, he’s notable for the four children’s books, he co-authored with his daughter. They have come here a few times and we always welcome their visit.

When I arrived, I found that I’d be volunteering along side my dear Forest friend Tom!

I’d never been at this post before, so I had to read up on my job description and get a short orientation. When I was asked to do “security” it was more about helping to watch over the cash exchange and book supply. Our usual Alphabet Forest bookseller is ill, so the task has fallen to the individual authors to manage their own sales. Good news, bad news, the Pages’ new book Bee Love had already sold out! So my job mainly consisted of assisting them with supplies, encouraging people to stop in and say hi, and take some photos.

I will say, it was my favorite day in the Forest. It was an honor and a privilege to bear witness to all the stories that passing visitors shared about how the Page family has touched their lives. Some knew him as law students, some received different scholarships funded by his foundation, some were just super Vikings fans. Many of them learned about his contributions as a children’s author for the first time today! His daughter is an educator and during some of the quiet moments, we shared stories about teaching and books.

When the Page’s visit was over at 2pm, I thanked them for a wonderful day snd helped them pack up. The parade came by and I popped out to see a couple units. The Mr. Peanut float is new this year! The peanut man has walked in the parade before, but now he’s got a new ride!

Caught a glimpse of the mascots again…

And enjoyed the passing drum and bagpipe corps.

After the parade passed through, I still had a job to do! After the authors depart, we have kits for kids to come and author their own state fair story!

This little patron worked so hard on her book and the last page reads “The day is not over, who knows what I’ll see! But so far THIS….” And her answer, “was so fun”! ❤️

After my shift, I was hoping to connect with my niece Morgan and boyfriend Matt. They moved to Colorado to find work during the pandemic and I have not seen or hugged them since Christmas 2019…that’s 613 days too many!

As I waited to hear from them, I completed my own Alphabet Forest Word Game. My theme this year was diseases and medical issues. It seemed appropriate.

I went on my way, knowing I’d connect with Morgan and Matt shortly and discovered the location of MNDOT this year. Just across the street from the Education Building. I got my new state highway maps fresh off the presses.

Then took a selfie with Plowy McPlowface, one of the minnesota snow plow team.

I’ve heard and read about a new sensory space for kids hosted by Fraser and I wanted to check it out. Just across from Creative Activities is a calm, soft, space to center and recharge. It’s intended for kids, but I’m thinking they need a grown up version too!

I heard from the youths and the plan was to meet up at Giggles. I got there first and found where lots of the people were hanging out!

This was really the first “line” I noticed for kettle corn!

While I waited I popped into the empty Kemp’s booth to get my cow pic!

As soon as I found the kids, I dragged them over to do the same with me!

We spent almost an hour, just hanging out, catching up and hugging. They were at the fair with friends, and I asked if it was too awkward to have the old aunt hanging around. They heartily encouraged me to stick with them and my heart was full.

We all caught part of the lumberjack show. Dave & his wife have been doing this for years!

Snapped this pic just as she was falling off the log!

Matt can put away more food than anyone I know. He reminds me a bit of my brother Mark! ❤️ so the next stop was more food and beer varieties for the kids. I think there are over 50 new flavors of beer this year. I’m not a beer drinker, so it’s lost on me.

There was a crowd building, but still nothing compared to other years, but if we didn’t have the space to do a square dance outdoors, I wore my mask.

It was fun to have another generation to regale with old state fair lore snd stories. I felt just like my dad ❤️

We ended up getting old favorites to eat from Lulu’s Public House, Cajun (bull) bites and Bang Bang Chicken. So good!

We had to make a stop at the old log cabin that Mom played in as a child in Gatzke. We’ll just call this picture “returning to the scene of the crime”

Leaving the west end, near the Midway, we sent messages to Mark to reassure him that we were able to social distance. It’s so strange to have so much room out here!

The gang of kids was heading into the Midway and I left them there after long tight hugs. We’ll hopefully spend more time out here together on Tuesday!

I turned around and crossed into the Fresh French Fries zone. There was a line tonight, but still not long.

I wanted to check on the Joyful World mural progress and found a few changes having occurred earlier! I might have to make progress photo groupings for each mural once they’re completed!

My feet decided it was time to go, so I cut through an almost vacant Carousel Park to make my way home.

I remembered I wanted to see the new addition to the bleachers at the Ball Park, and look for any friends. On the way I stopped at the Farm Bureau and did a quiz with 3D glasses to earn an insulated lunch tote.

I didn’t see anyone I knew at the Ball Park, but Dave himself is now up in the bleachers with Ian Leonard!

I walked up Dan Patch, past the Hamline Dining Hall. There’s a bench here honoring a dear friend of Mom & Dads Elaine Christiansen and her buddy Betty. the doors were just closing on the ice cream window, but I saw there was no special flavor this year, and Dessa’s flavor did not return.

Instead of ice cream, I bought a cashew salted nut roll to go. I commented on how the weather made everything so sticky as I paid for my treats with gooey ones… the guy in the booth said, “ya, I’m familiar with sticky”. I looked up and it took a minute for me to get it… he’s a guy making caramel salted rolls… and I was complaining about sticky.

As I passed the Merchandise Mart, it too was empty. I decided to make a quick pass. The PuzzleTwist guys are there again, so I loaded up with the new ones for this year.

Without a fair last year, we also needed a refill on our Smooth Gator lotion. The lotion and bug bite sticks save both Jack & I from crazy itching.

I only made it down one side of the mart when I got a message from another dear friend who was up by the Giant Wheel.

My feet protested, but heart propelled me up the hill. She’s got her own aches & pains and we concur that it sucks getting older! We found a bench and rested and had an all too short, but good visit!

We said our goodbyes near the information booth that houses the man with all the fun hats! I caught him outside the booth for some air and got a picture of the pizza dome!

I took my leave and rounded Randall Ave to head down Cosgrove. It was only 8:45pm and the street was empty. Seems a lot longer walk when you’re all alone without the crowd.

I made it back to Simpson to find Bart & Sonja waiting up for me ❤️. I gave them a little Anniversary gift and they let me in on some must have items that they found before me! Planning to head over early in the morning, I now had an agenda! I’m still comforted by my sign, it’s a little ragged with the rain, but it makes me feel like I still belong here.