Minnesota Trip Summer 2025

Once we got to Granny and Grandpa's house we relaxed and didn't do anything. Haha!

We drove down to visit with my wife's cousin and played Puttshack minigolf. It was fun and high tech. The balls had chips in them. The tees would scan the chip and put the player's name on a screen over the hole. The score was kept automatically, so it must have had some sort of motion sensor technology. The hole detected when the ball came in too. Each hole had some theme and tricks. For example, the trivia hole had two paths, True or False, based on the question that appeared on the screen when the ball was detected by the tee. Most of the questions were Wisconsin-centric, making it easier for the home players. We were good sports about it and helped each other out. 

The players

Too young for beer pong?

Putting

Drummer's hole

The scoring was odd. A hole in one was (I think) 60 points, with possible bonus points based on the particular hole. Par 2 was 50 points, par 3 was 40, etc. So a higher score is better. Each course of the many courses is nine holes and players can do one set of nine or multiple sets. We did two sets, so eighteen holes, though our score was not cumulative.

My nemesis--where are the guard rails?!?

A wide shot

My wife and I went dancing at Wabasha Street Caves. The caves have a colorful history too detailed to relay here, but it does involve gangsters and Prohibition. The venue has tours now and is rentable for weddings, corporate gatherings, etc. We went to the Thursday night swing dance which was a lot of fun.

Doesn't look like caves, does it?

Tables by the entrance

The dance floor forms an L with the stage for the band in the corner of the L.

Dance floor and stage

The other part of the dance floor

Westwind Swing Band

The next main tunnel has the bar area (parallel to the long leg of the L), which had some overflow dancers and free water and other beverages. 

Less populated bar area

I saw another area that seemed like a third cave behind the bar wall but it was blocked off for maintenance. I am not sure how extensive the caves run. Maybe we will do a tour on a future trip.

I went on a geocaching run with Grandpa and we also hit up Thunder Brothers Brewery in Isanti, a small brewery that had some nice ales on offer. I had the Cumulus Cream Ale which was delightful.

Thunder Brothers

While at the house, the cats longed for a little wander outside.

Maybe there are mice in the garden?

Hoping for something to chase!

Our cousin visited with her toddler son. We saw a lot of his walking around and interacting with everyone, including one of the cats! My kids made him a hat but it turned out to be too small (and the wrong season). He was not too keen on wearing it, but that's okay. He's so cute!

Cousins!

Staring contest

Cat loses

On the swing

We went out on their canoe and kayak to explore their lake.

Kayak in tall rice

Getting out

Our boat

Awesome flower

It was a fun and refreshing time at Granny and Grandpa's house.