June 24 Jennifer's wedding

    Family was going in all directions today so we left a little early for the wedding to drive through Stillwater, MN., about 30 miles from the campground.  We visited a veteran's memorial.  The town has had about 15,000 population since the 2000 census. 100 men have died in wars since the Spanish American and Civil Wars.  Plaques list the war and their names.  None are listed for Iraq or Afghanistan.  Many families have bought bricks to build a sidewalk to it, listing veteran's names.  That area was full of large Victorian homes and old churches.  The town was started in 1853 as settlers liked the St. Croix River availability and traffic.  There are neighborhoods high on hills that don't look like fun with the winter weather they have.  It was chosen as one of the top 4 small cities in America to live in recently.
    Jennifer is the only daughter of Tom's sister, Nancy, who died 5-1/2 years ago after fighting cancer for 9-1/2 years.  She wanted to have her wedding on this date, which was her mom's birthday.  The ceremony was held at an outdoor venue that had a long path leading through pretty gardens and then other gardens all around it.  A building was set up for the men and women to dress, if they need to.  We were all standing around and someone yelled "Look, the girls are all coming up the walk."  They were all hidden behind large umbrellas they were carrying.
    Jenn picked a dress that had ribbon down the back - she added pink ribbon to represent the breast cancer color.  She and Michael met at Home Depot, so they made the programs by printing them on card stock and gluing them to either side of a paint stirrer.  Then tied a ribbon on for decoration.  They served as great fans.
    The reception was several miles away at a golf course in River Falls, WI., where she attended college.  It was a fun time with lots of '60's music played by a d.j., which surprised us.  But the young people danced to all of them.  His Best Man said Mike has always been so conscientious and has such a good work ethic.  He grew up on a dairy farm in Wisc. and it was a huge school district.  He drove himself 30 miles each way to school starting at 16.  When the weather was bad it took an hour each way.  And he stayed after for sports practice so got home late.
    We drove back a different way, through Bayport, which has an Anderson window factory, Jacque.