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.

Codorus State Park, Pennsylvania

We camped at Codorus State Park just outside Hanover, Pennsylvania, planning to visit the Gettysburg Battlefield. The park had plenty of amenities that we enjoyed.

We rented an individual camp site for two nights. It included a fire pit with grill, a picnic table, and electricity. We only used the electricity for my cpap machine, an electric griddle, and phone charging. The spot was big enough for our two tents with plenty of area for other activities.

Our camp site

Happily, the bathrooms were very close by and were actual bathrooms, not latrines or other minimalist offerings sometimes available. A large field was not too far away either. We played a lot of catch there.

Tossing a football

Receiving a football

The field had a playground, a large fire pit with benches, and a small outdoor theater.

Amenities

The first night, we had a small campfire and made smores before going to bed. 

Starting a fire

Enjoying the night

The next morning, I woke up first and did some reading out by the picnic table while others snoozed.

Sacked out

They slept long enough that I went for a walk and found a few geocaches hidden in the park. They are approved by the park and have very nice housing. No ground tupperware here!

Rabbits on the way to the geocache

Yes, it's meant to resemble an outhouse

The park also has a veterans' memorial area, though no one is buried there.

Pavilion at the Veterans' Memorial

Another geocache featured Kermit the Frog inside. I needed his hopping ability to make it there and back.

Inside another geocache

Obstacle on the path

The park has pavilions for rent. 

Rental pavilion 

Cooking facility inside

By the time I got back to our site, breakfast was underway. We had a guest try to join us but we politely refused.

Pancakes!

Someone trying to crash the party

Checking the fire pit for crumbs

Making cakes

We went to the Gettysburg Battlefield after breakfast, eventually returning for some nap time before our next adventure. I was not tired enough so I found another cache.

A sticky situation

We rented a canoe and a two-person kayak since that was all that was available. Too early in the season, I guess.

First kayakers

First canoers

The campground is on Lake Marburg. The area is very pretty. It is also open enough that wind has a minor effect on our progress. We rowed under a bridge and to some beaches.

Enjoying the lake

Exploring a side water

Trees were all to see

We stopped at one shore and switched around the boats' personnel. 

It's tough paddling uphill!

A moment of good synchronization

Yet another switch

Canoers behind me

At one point, we saw a tree hanging over the water and decided to go through the natural archway.

Aiming for a small hole

We went back to our campground to make a roasted-potato dinner. We had plenty of fixings--cheese, scallions, butter, bacon bits, etc. We were forced to have plenty of patience as the cooking time was not very precise.

Getting the fire started

A good blaze

Roasting potatoes in foil

A great finished product

The next morning we had simple breakfast of oatmeal, apples, tea, and juice. Packing up the campground went quickly and we were soon home. The overall experience was a bit rough on the parents but the kids had a great time.