Little Falls, Minnesota

Here we are in Little Falls, a beautiful little town along the Mississippi River. Did you know Charles Lindburgh was born here? Lots of sites to see and lots of friendly folk. The people here have already fallen in love with Sweetie, so they're giving us the royal treatment and the royal tour of this hundred fifty year old city.

Sweetie and I loved gazing out over the Mississippi River!

DEN Star Wade Litke

While we were traveling across Minnesota this week, I got a phone call from a DEN Star named Wade Litke. He offered to put us up for the night in Brainerd, MN. He gave me directions and told me to look for Paul Bunyan. This is where we found him!

I can't believe the unbelievable support we are receiving from the DEN!

Minneapolis!

Sweetie and I have spent the last twenty four hours in Minneapolis, Minnesota! What a great city! Below are pictures of our adventures.

Here we are at the Metrodome! Thank goodness they have fixed the roof since its fateful collapse in 2010. Watch the video below to see
what happened to the Metrodome in December 2010.

Our next stop was Target Field where the Minnesota Twins play. Sweetie and I got to meet TC Bear and he even taught us the TC Bear Clap!

Next we went to see the GIANT Cherry and Spoon in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden! Sweetie was amazed!!!!

Finally we say farewell to this great city and head off to our next great adventure!

Goodbye Minneapolis!

An American Girl STAR!

I'll bet you didn't know Sweetie is an American Girl STAR! She was featured in their magazine in the July-August issue of 1996. Later the article was printed in a book called American Girls and their Horses. This book is in its third printing and you can purchase it on Amazon or at the American Girls Store! Sweetie and I just had to swing by this store in Minneapolis to show our tribute.

The story and the article tell about Marguerite Henry's book, "Misty of Chincoteague." The author follows our family through Sweetie's swim from Assateague Island to Chinocoteague Island at the tender age of three months. The story tells about our bidding for her and winning her at the auction at the Chincoteague Fire Department's annual carnival and auction. Finally, it shows us taking her home. Here is a picture of Sweetie getting packed up on the trailer to go home to Abernethy Acres. My family,also pictured, from left to right are: Mandy, husband Sam, Sara, and Danny. They're all grown up now, including Sweetie!

Here's a link to the story in the book, American Girls and Their Horses. Sweetie's story is called "Wild Ponies" and it begins on page 16.

http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Their-Horses-American-Library/dp/1593692099

Willow River State Park

Sweetie and I are camping in Willow River State Park tonight. While exploring today, we came across Willow Falls. Aren't they beautiful? Guess we'll settle down and enjoy this rustic atmosphere. In two days we'll be in the big city of Minneapolis!

Chippewa Falls

We made it to Chippewa Falls. So glad we found this bridge to cross the Chippewa River. Sure would hate to do it the way they did in the old west.

DEN Star Peg

Wisconsin DEN Star, Peg Hartwig, is putting me and Sweetie up for the night. We're going out for a little ride now to see some Wisconsin scenery!

Taking a Shortcut

Sweetie and I are taking a shortcut from Greenbay to Marshfield. If we took the interstate it would have taken an extra three days.  We've really enjoyed the quiet ride through the woods, but I'm not going to lie. I've been a little nervous we weren't on the right track. I was relieved today when I arrived at Stevens Point, because I finally knew for sure we were going in the right direction. We should arrive at Peg's in Marshfield tomorrow evening. I can't wait to see my DEN Star friend, Peg Hartwig.

DEN Star Deb Donley

After that amazing weekend Sweetie and i are back on track. Yesterday we arrived in Green Bay, Wisconsin where DEN Star Deb Donley put us up for the night. She kindly took us on a sightseeing tour of the city which included a tour of Lambeau Stadium where the Green Bay Packers play. (When she wasn't looking I pulled out a Terrible Towel...shshsh.)

Pictured from left to right: DEN Star Deb Donley, friend Cathy Mackey, Sweetie and Me (Jan Abernethy.)

DEN in the CITY - Part 3

On our final day in the city, we decided to visit the Discovery Education Network office. Here we are headed up  the steps to the building. We are so excited!

At the door of the building...

At reception...

And finally we make our way up the escalator to the 30th floor!

Watch this video of our adventures at the Discovery Education Offices!

If you would like to read more about our DEN in the City adventures, read the following blog posts by DEN Stars:

Liz Charlton's Blog

Margie Roger's Blog

Wendy Zahrn's Blog

Peg Hartwig on the Discovery National Blog

DEN in the CITY - Part 2

On Sunday, we headed over to The Museum of Science and Industry. Of course the exhibit that drew our attention was the Mythbusters Explosive Exhibition.

Left to Right: Gena Price, Traci Blazosky, Emma Haygood, Margie Rogers, Peg Hartwig, Wendy Zahrn, Liz Charlton, Katie Warren,  Genny Kahlweiss, Amy Cordova, Chincoteague's Sweetheart and Jan Abernethy

On our way back to the hotel we saw a bus. We thought it was headed to Montana, so we chased it.

It wasn't really going to Montana, but we posed next to it anyway!

If you would like to read more about our DEN in the City adventures, read the following blog posts by DEN Stars:

Liz Charlton's Blog

Margie Roger's Blog

Wendy Zahrn's Blog

Peg Hartwig on the Discovery National Blog