No, while we’re in the US, our daily posts won’t be exciting and exciting to our readers. Since we have lived in Minnesota most of our lives, we aren’t going sightseeing and searching for fascinating photo ops. Also, without a camera and only my phone, taking photos isn’t as fun for me.

Again, today’s photos are not so exciting. Today, I will order the new camera to be delivered to our mailing service in Nevada, which we’ll pick up along with other items awaiting us, including a few replacement credit cards for those expiring in the next 12 months. We also purchased Tom’s new Cole Haan shoes and computer backpack at the Samsonite store in the Eagan Outlet Mall.

I had purchased a new travel bag for myself at the same store, but once we got back to the hotel, I noticed I’d made a terrible mistake. The bag has a hidden handle and wheeling feature, which I didn’t want. It’s a bag, not a suitcase. Today, we’ll return it when the mall opens after 11:00 am. I don’t know how in the world I missed this fact. I suppose my brain is still off-kilter from all the traveling and activity. I will select a more appropriate bag when we return it in a few hours.

Last night, Greg and the three grandchildren met us for dinner at Champs Restaurant in Eden Prairie. Afterward, we headed back to our hotel for a quiet evening with a plan to get some sleep. Alas, sleep was elusive for me, and I awoke again at 4:00 am, never returning to sleep. Once we return to South Africa in 19 days, we can get back to our usual routine. Most likely, it will be this way during the remainder of our time in the US.

I have been texting back and forth with our dear friend (and property manager) Louise in Marloth Park to hear how things are doing there and chat with one another as we often do daily. Hearing from here keeps me connected to the bush. Our dear friend Kathy, who soon returns to the bush and will be there when we return, had a birthday yesterday, and I had a chance to talk to her, much to my delight. Friends Linda and Ken and, of course, Rita and Gerhard stay in close touch too, all of whom and more, we’ll see when we return.

But, it’s lovely to spend time with family, although challenging at times to work our visits into our grown children’s busy schedules. Just because we’re here doesn’t change the work and family responsibilities that keep their calendars full.

We are so used to a slow and easy pace. We’re often surprised by how packed everyone’s day-to-day schedule can be. But, we lived here, lived this life, and we know and appreciate how entire life can be with endless responsibilities and activities. We do our best to be available when family members are to spend time together.

We continue to feel relieved that we received the vaccine on July 1 and had no ill effects. Also, as each day passes, we are grateful that we didn’t contract Covid during our three days of travel. Most likely, if we’d been exposed, we’d have symptoms by now, but we’ve heard it can present up to 14 days after exposure.

Are those stories we’ve read about people becoming ill from the vaccines, exaggerations, or facts? Then again, if one million people get any vaccine, some will become ill, and some will pass away. It’s a sad reality. We were concerned when we had to get the yellow fever vaccine before we left the US in 2012. I was sick for a few hours, and Tom didn’t feel up to snuff for a weekend.

I understand and appreciate the hesitancy by some over receiving the vaccine. On the other hand, the world will never reach herd immunity without more participants. Each person has to decide for themselves, considering the restrictions they may encounter without being vaccinated and the possibility they or their family members will become ill with Covid-19.

We decided based on our desire to continue to travel, which would be severely impacted if we failed to get the vaccine. Plus, I must admit, it will feel good to have less anxiety about either of us getting the virus, or if we do, the case would be less severe. I do not doubt that an annual booster will be necessary. Hopefully, there will be less confusion and difficulty in people getting the boosters. Only time will tell.

Off I go, folks. Have a pleasant day! There’s “other fish to fry” on the agenda.

Photo from one year ago today, July 7, 2020:

“In Kauai, Hawaii in 2015, when this albatross, Nash, was preparing to fledge. This looks scary,” says Nash. “It’s a shame I’m having a bad hair day for my first journey.” For more photos, please click here.

Each time we return to the US for a visit, we find ourselves caught up in shopping, which neither cares to do. It’s incredibly annoying when visiting the shops in person as opposed to shopping online. As far as a camera goes, I believe I’ve located a good option Amazon.com.

Most likely, I’ll order the camera in the next day or two, and it will be awaiting us at our mailing service in Las Vegas, ready to pick up along with some other mail we’ll be collecting at the time. Of course, we’re only purchasing items we can’t find in South Africa and items we must have.

This morning, after uploading the post, we’ll be heading out to a nearby Outlet Mall where dozens of discounted designer-type shops have excellent prices on their quality items.

Today’s primary goal is to visit the Cole Haan shoe store in the outlet mall so Tom can purchase a few pairs of replacement shoes that have “bit the dust” almost nine years later. It’s hard to believe those shoes lasted as long as they did, as we traveled all over the world.

Sure, we both could use some new clothes, but with weight restrictions for our upcoming international flight returning to South Africa, we do not want to pay for overweight luggage. It defeats the purpose of getting reasonable clothing prices in Minnesota, where there’s no sales tax on apparel. For that reason, we’ll make any purchases while here in Minnesota rather than in Wisconsin or Nevada.

Yesterday afternoon after Tom’s delightful visit with daughter Tammy and her partner Tracy, he returned to the hotel to pick me up. He had to turn around and head back the same way from whence he’d come through more rush hour traffic. We were on our way to Andover to visit his siblings and significant others.

We’d planned to play dice or cards with the six of them, but once we were seated around Collen and Gene’s big dining room table, the conversation, laughter, and reminiscing superseded anyone’s interest in playing cards. Tom, as the youngest in the family, is often odder for good humor among family members. Now that I’ve been around for 30 years, there were many stories I’d heard in the past and some in which I participated.

The next time we see them will be at a barbecue on Thursday at Mary and Eugene’s home, also in Andover. We’ll bring some food to eat and to share. There’s no doubt that once again, the conversation will be lively and animated.

Tonight, we’ll meet up with Greg’s family of five for dinner at a favorite restaurant in our old neighborhood, Maynard’s, located on Lake Minnetonka. Our dinner is reserved for 5:00 pm, to be followed by Miles’ baseball game at 7:15.  Here again, we’ll surely enjoy fun and lively conversations with Greg, Camille, and three of our grandchildren, Maisie, Miles, and Madighan. It’s lovely spending time with our family members.

Time is passing quickly. In 10 days, we’ll head to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 12 days, we’ll be on our way to Henderson, Nevada. In a mere 18 days, we’ll begin the long journey back to South Africa. Do we miss the bush? Of course, we do, but for now,  we’re living in the moment, wrapped up in spending time with family and, if time allows, a few friends.

After another good night’s sleep, feeling like our “old” selves once again, we’re holding up well with all the activity and look forward to each new day.  Please, stay with us as we continue on this lovely, fulfilling family visit.

Stay healthy and continue to observe Covid-19 protocols suitable for your location!

Photo from one year ago today, July 6, 2020:

TThe exquisite Sofitel Metropole Hanoi was a fantastic hotel in 2016. The master bath was huge, with double sinks, a private water closet, and a glass-enclosed shower. Every possible lotion, potion, and amenity was provided. For more, please click here.

After all these years, planning shopping and cooking yesterday’s 4th of July meal was a different experience, especially in Camille and Greg’s new house. No one was quite sure yet where everything was located. My granddaughter Madighan was very helpful in finding the kitchen items I needed.

Together, Madighan and I made the flag cake, got the ribs in the oven, and prepared the sweet corn, chickens, and homemade garlic bread. No one was interested in eating potatoes with the otherwise big meal so we left those out. It was a relatively easy meal to prepare for the six of us. Our granddaughter, Maisie, was working at her McDonald’s job and couldn’t dine with us.

We had a great day. Greg had to pick up a piece of equipment at a distant Fleet Farm store, and I rode along with him. The food prep was under control, making it easy for me to be gone for the hour. It was fun to have a little alone time with my youngest son, and the lively conversation flowed with ease as if we’d never been away.

Daughter-in-law Camille is still recovering from recent cancer surgery, and we insisted she stay away from the kitchen. It was good to be able to give her a break to rest and relax.

After dinner, Greg and the kids did the dishes while Tom and I relaxed while chatting with Camille. We’d all opted out of going to watch fireworks. Tom and I were still struggling from lack of sleep due to the seven-hour time difference between South Africa and Minnesota, and we had yet to catch up on sleep.

Finally, last night we both slept almost 8 hours, and we’re good as new today. Whew! What a relief! We knew a good night’s sleep would set us right, and indeed it did. The past four days have been a struggle for both of us, when we were awake at 2:00 or 3:00 am and unable to go back to sleep. Last night, I awoke at 2:30 am, feeling wide awake.

After playing a few games on my phone, I finally dozed off back to sleep, as did Tom. As for Tom, he left at 8:30 this morning to meet up with his daughter Tammy. They, too, needed some alone time together. I was content to stay behind at the hotel. I am stranded here for the next several hours but I will make some calls to friends and family and easily stay busy.

It will be great to be able to make calls without considering the time difference. This time, we may not see many of our friends due to concerns over Covid-19. After all, we’ve just returned from South Africa, and it seems many are terrified at the prospect of being around us.

We certainly understand their concerns. With the scare tactics in the news, the perception is that most people from South Africa are infected with the virus, which isn’t necessarily the case. Currently, South Africa is in the #19 position in the world, based on the number of cases and deaths as shown on Worldometer.com.

Unfortunately,  as of yesterday, South Africa was in the #6 position worldwide for new cases and deaths. It’s only been four days since we arrived, seven days since our negative PCR tests, and another four days since we were vaccinated. Even though most family members and friends were vaccinated weeks ago, there are still some risks in being in our presence.

We can’t rest easy until the first seven days pass or even more. In some cases, symptoms don’t become evident for up to 14 days since exposure. We can only rest easier (still observing Covid-19 safety protocols) when two weeks have passed since our vaccination date of July 1st. We have a long way to go. I’ll be relieved when this period passes.

It’s interesting to hear Americans’ observations about Covid-19. Some are incredibly cautious, and others fall into the category of the “naysayers” and “conspiracy theorists.” Many refuse to get the vaccine which is also the case in South Africa, making herd immunity impossible.

I believe I’ve located a camera I may be interested in purchasing. I’ll decide today while I am alone and conducting more research and reading reviews. We’ll have the camera shipped to our mailing service in Nevada rather than collect it here. Added weight for our upcoming domestic flight is a good reason to wait. Once we leave Nevada to fly back to South Africa, we’re allowed twice the weight at no additional cost.

We hope all of our US friends and relatives had a great Independence Day!

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, July  5, 2020:

Cattle were so busy grazing in Connemara, Ireland, that they hesitated to look up for a photo op. For more photos, please click here.