One of the tasks that we knew we needed to get done in our first couple of days in the Twin Cities was to get a Covid test. Having a negative test is a requirement to go to The Unitarian church camp that we’re headed to on Saturday. We needed a test within 72 hours of going to camp. This sounded also easy, however when Patti tried yesterday to set up the test she went into quite a quagmire of confusing information. All of the information online stated clearly “tests are free to Minnesota residence." This made us concerned, as we are currently California residents on vacation in Minnesota. Patti had an online chat with someone trying to clarify this, who referred her to the testing company person with a phone call. This person was quite unclear how this would all work and thought in all likelihood we could go to one of the testing sites but would be charged either 89 or $199. Each. We were not expecting this and it was quite upsetting. Eventually Patti found her way to making appointments on the Walgreens Pharmacy website. There we’re many convoluted parts in this process including somehow in Dick's sign up they asked all kinds of information about health insurance while in Patti's sign up, they didn’t ask that. We also first thing this morning went to the wrong Walgreens but quickly found the right address. When we went to the drive-through, the person found us in the Walgreens' computer record that we were signed up for a test and confirmed that Patti was going to do the test that would have results in 24 hours while Dick was doing the test for 72 hours results. Both of us were very confused how it would’ve been signed up that way, but the person at the pharmacy said she could do nothing to change it and so we both had nasal swab test: one that would be processed immediately at the pharmacy while the other was sent out to a lab. But the good news was neither of us had any co-pay on our receipt. So it was a false alarm that we might need to pay 100 or $200. Patti is already gotten back her negative Covid test well we’re still waiting for Dick‘s to come back. Going to camp used to be a lot more simple. (Note, Dick's did also eventually come back after about 48 hours, also negative....yah!!!!!)
After the Covid test we stopped by a local Firestone to get new windshield wipers put on the car. It was raining here and our windshield wipers were terrible. We got great customer service and we’re now back in the windshield wiping business.
Then, on to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul. There we met friends Maggie and Jeff for a rather chilly outdoor picnic. More great conversation and fun as we exchanged stories of travel and what we were doing currently, and how Covid has affected us these last couple of years. So much fun to see friends and really fun as we’re having these travels to be able to greet people and in some cases with big hugs. We could’ve stayed for some hours longer because there was much more to talk about, but Patti and Dick had timed tickets to go into the zoo, so we had to say our goodbyes.
We didn’t have a lot of time, but spent a nice hour strolling through Como Park Zoo. This was the very first zoo Patti ever went to as a child and she had fun memories there. We enjoyed seeing the animals and also enjoy the cooler weather for the day. The temperature was around 60. Yay ! Quite a change from the mid 90s of the past few days. After the zoo, we enjoyed the plants in the Conservatory. Patti is such fond memories of going the year in the middle of dark Minnesota winters to soak in the green and the beautiful plants that were there year-round, and the warmth!
We then made a quick stop where we were able to drop off our seven boxes of books at Books for Africa. When Dick retired from teaching a year and a half ago, he was able to go through and sort out some current textbooks that he would no longer need. These will be shipped from Saint Paul to Georgia and then off to Africa where they will be used at libraries and universities. Our car felt a little lighter having taken those heavy boxes of books out.
We then made our way back to South Minneapolis where we spent sober time at the George Floyd Square Memorial. We visited the site where Mr. Floyd had been murdered and were so moved at all of the responses that the community had created and left there. It was very touching for both of us and the mood was quite somber of the people who gathered and walked along thinking about racism, oppression and violence.
Then, we drove back to Saint Paul where we met up with friends Mary'n and and Mary. First, we had a quick stop at their house and enjoyed all of the artistic touches they had there. Then, we drove together to a lovely restaurant where we had good food, and even better conversation. We especially enjoyed exchanging travel stories including some that with a little bit of time turned some horribly difficult events into really really funny stories. Somehow the time for went rapidly along and before we knew it it was time to leave. As they were turning off the lights in the restaurant, we decided it was time for us to also leave. it was so so so nice to reconnect with dear friends, where you can just connect with easy comfort even though it’s been years since you’ve been able to be together. Another very nice evening.
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