Saturday was the only day I left wide open. I figured we'd take it easy or do whatever Traci and my mother came up with.
Knowing the next state over is Minnesota, home of Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in the United States, Traci suggested we take a trip there. After a hearty breakfast at the local Denny's, we set off for a 3.5-hour monotonous drive across Wisconsin's farmlands and prairies and into Bloomington, Minnesota to Mall of America.
Besides its size and its 400 stores, some of the other things that impressed me about Mall of America was the airport next door and all of the hotels in the area. The mall is quite a tourist destination. I was also impressed with the large amusement park in the center of the mall. It contains 25 rides including roller coasters, a log flume, and Ferris wheel.
Mall of America
 
We're at Mall of America! Yesss!
 
amusement park inside the mall
Lego store inside the mall
Since few people can keep up with Traci when she gets in mall browsing mode, we agreed on a meeting time and place for her while my mother and I walked around together. We spent about three hours in Mall of America.
Our visit to the mall ended with a nice treat. Andriel, a good friend of Traci's and mine from our days at Hampton University, lives in the area and brought her family to the mall to meet us. It had been several years since we had seen Andriel and her husband, Mike. It was also the first time we had seen their children in person. Andriel and Mike treated Traci, my mother, and me to dinner at TGI Fridays (Thanks Andriel and Mike) while we got caught up on what's been going on in each others' lives.
dinner with friends