St. Paul

Hi all,
Friday afternoon we arrived in St. Paul after a visit in Northfield at St. Olaf’s College. We walked through the chapel and saw the new organ by Holcamp – it probably makes a good sound, but the case is minimal and not very interesting (they are known for their terrible cases – or lack of them. Arrived in St. Paul in time to unload at Steve and Minda’s and then meet the bus when Espin and Kai arrived home from school. Friday night was “movie” night and so we had pizza with them and watched a movie about seals and saving a baby in the ocean. Saturday we visited the kids school. Sunday we attended the Greek Orthodox Church with Minda and Steve; a very long service – three hours; actually four if you include the singing of hymns and sung readings before the service proper. Episcopalians, don’t complain about an hour and a quarter!!!
Tuesday morning, after a nice weekend visiting with Andy and Lisa and Espen and Kai at 1129 Blair and Minda and Steve at 1759 Blair (please note the numbers may be wrong since I am trying to remember) we picked up our new RV on Monday afternoon. Our very first act with Rachel following me in the Liberty was for me to miss the turn onto 94 from 52 in St. Paul and for us to trail down various streets until we could get turned around again and on the right road. That said, we loaded all our possessions into our new home, dropped by to show it to Espen and Kai and headed out of town. That is it’s own story, but dusk found us as the only inhabitants in a campground near New Germany, Minnesota – beautiful spot - with a little man made lake next to us; sunny skies and everything. First night was successful – we were getting used to cramped quarters and used to cooking on our own.
Our home, starting from the back, has a “Queen sized” bed in the rear left corner with the only access at the foot on the right – otherwise you have to crawl over it. A coffin sized shower (on end) is in the right hand rear corner with a toilet right next to it.
Showering is an experience as you have to wet yourself down; turn a little switch which stops the water; soap yourself up; then, hose yourself down to rinse. Drying off is a little like spelunking putting body parts into unnatural positions to get a towel to them.
Continuing, facing back still, on the right is a little bathroom sink with mirror; then, a little closet for hanging clothes; followed by the refrigerator and freezer, stacked, and lastly, our kitchen table with seating for four – the drivers seat is forward of that. On the left from the bed, is the kitchen – gas stove, oven, microwave, sink to the left of that, cup boards over sink; then, the door to the outside. A swivel chair is next to the door – then – ta da the cab again. Over the cab is another bed – double – which we don’t use except for storage. There is a TV over the swivel chair so we are always civilized!
Zoe has found herself a little spot to sleep at night between the two front seats. She has steadfastly refused to sleep in her bed which we faithfully haul around everywhere. Right now she is in it though under the table (which also makes into a bed although I can’t imagine how six people would survive in here) where we keep the bed during the day.
Rachel says we will never make South Dakota if I don’t start driving so,
Bye for now. J&R