Welcome Home Matthew--Goodbye Again

In the middle of June, Matthew returned stateside after living and working for a year in Singapore.  He enjoyed his time in Singapore and had many experiences that I'm sure will be influential for the rest of his life.

Matthew was home for a few days, then off to University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis!  At UM, Matthew will be in the MD/PhD program.  At this point, he is not sure what will be emphasized in his studies.

Gratefully, I was able to drive back to MN with him.  We left on Sunday about noon.  On our way out of town, we stopped to visit with my dad.  Who knows the next time Matthew will be able to come home.  He will be very busy~  

Sarah made Matthew a cake to welcome him home!

Grandpa Harrieth and Matthew

Stopping in Salt Lake City for a day, we got to spend time with Evelyn, Elizabeth and Dave.  Katie came after work to join us all.

The next day, we travelled through Wyoming.   We headed north at Rawlins, and Matthew spotted a random sign for Martin's Cove up ahead.  He asked if I would like to stop.  Did he need to ask?!  Of course I wanted to stop.  I didn't know that we would be driving past this place.

This is Devils Gate which is a bit north of Martin's Cove.  It is called Devils Gate because the native americans thought there were evil spirits stuck in the gate.  At least, that's what our guide said.

Martin's Cove is the area that is kind of shaped like a triangle.  This is where many handcart pioneers sought refuge until help could arrive from Salt Lake City.  From there, we continued our travels north towards Newcastle, then headed east.  

We stopped in a town called Custer and had pizza for dinner.  We had a standing joke about places to eat after we left Evanston, WY.  From then on, we only drove through tiny towns.  My favorite was Muddy Gap, that had a sign with the population of about 4.  The only places in these towns to eat were Subway or Dairy Queen.  We bought sandwiches in Rawlins, but never stopped again.  Neither of us was willing to stop at Dairy Queen.  Now, when I see Subway or Dairy Queen, I think of Matthew and our trip to Minnesota!

After dinner, we arrived in a little town called Keystone.  Keystone is about a mile and a half from Mt. Rushmore!  I never thought I would see Mt. Rushmore.  But if you are in South Dakota, you can't not stop!

Keystone was also a pretty small town.  Matthew and I stopped for breakfast here at a diner before heading up the mountain.

Mt. Rushmore--but you knew that already. . . .

I'm glad that we stopped.  It was massive and the park had awesome information to share.  There was plenty of photographs, tools, etc. to give a sense of what was involved in this monument.

After a couple of hours at Mt. Rushmore, we got back on Interstate 90 and went east.  We had to stop in Wall, and experience Wall Drug Store!  It was a must see, according to several people who knew we were headed that way.  Wall was a small town, again, and was mostly this large complex.  It had everything inside:  restaurants, gift shops, clothing stores, you name it!  Matthew and I found the cafeteria and had lunch.  The best part, was all the artwork in the cafeteria of Native Americans and the Western Cowboy.  

The next stop was Sioux Falls.  Here is a photo of the falls in Sioux Falls.  

The falls were beautiful!  Also, very loud!

It was pretty cold next to the water and of course, Matthew didn't have a jacket!

At last!  We arrived in Minneapolis!  I went on campus with Matthew while he attended his orientation.  I walked around and enjoyed the beautiful campus.  It is very large.  This is the front of the building Matthew was working in this summer.  

A larger view of the clinic.  Matthew did a rotation of research, and in the fall, started two years of the medical school education.

Before leaving Minneapolis, I had to see the Mall of America!  It was like any other mall, except for the roller coasters in the middle!  A great amusement park for summer or winter, inside where it is temperature controlled.