Autumn in Minnesota

Yesterday was a perfect autumn day, the kind of day that reminds me of why I love living in this state.  We had crisp temps getting into comfortable temps by mid-morning with blue skies and turning leaves.  Everyone I talked to was upbeat and smiling, in spite of portions of mud on the walkways.  It was stunning and wonderfully fun.  I was hoping to have an opportunity to listen to one particular harpist.  He has been there over the past few weeks, but he is not always there.  The other harpists are jokes compared to the talent of this man and he usually sits in one area at 2:30 pm.  Unfortunately, he was not there this week - probably a little nervous about the mud.  But I have one weekend left and with luck he will be there this next weekend and I can listen to him. 

A quick sunset shot - Minnesota can
be really beautiful in the Fall.

Chickie, Angie and Alex were out at Fest.  Chickie usually gets out there two times each year - once with me and Sharon over Labor Day weekend, and one more time with Angie and Alex.  Alex doesn't like crowds, so they always arrive early and leave mid-afternoon.  It is just as well that they held to their schedule - the Fest was crowded with the largest crowd of people there that I have ever seen.  Every overflow lot was filled with cars.  We were absolutely astounded as we saw all of them on our way out of the grounds and then out of the turnoff.  We were in the second row, and I was very grateful that I didn't have to walk for 15 minutes or more just to get to my car. 

The winner of the "Men in Tights" competition.
Missy is at the front.  Blackstone is one of
the members of her troupe this year, so lucky her!

The winner of the Men in Tights competition was Blackstone wearing a jack-o-lantern codpiece.  He actually was excellent and ended up raising quite a lot of money for the American Cancer Society.  The competition was stiff (OK, probably a really bad double-entendre there - LOL), but he won it hands over all others.  It was, as always, extremely well attended by screaming ladies and it is Missy's favorite work assignment.  That's her in the front, checking his tights with the other three judges.  As always, it was wonderfully fun and I can't wait until next year :-)  We have one more weekend this year and have already purchased our season tickets for next year.  We're set for more fun!