Minneapolis has become worldwide news. The killing of George Floyd at the hands of police had sparked protests and riots in the city. The riots had moved closer to our neighborhood which meant little sleep.
I'd been watching over the street each night as rioting erupted. It wasn't until that Thursday that I realized that it was unsettling Brooke. At 1:30 in the morning we had heard screeching just as rioting was only a mile or so away now. It turned out to be nothing, but scared the shit out of us.
Blake offered to have us come to his house. I had no faith that the night was going to get better. As we were driving up to Duluth we saw multiple posts on Facebook of neighborhoods getting together ready to stop the arsonists. It did make us feel guilty for leaving our neighbors.
But the kids were happy to get out of the house for the first time in months and they missed Blake.
Visits to Blake and Duluth are always the perfect respite. Because of Covid-19 we hadn't been up since Brooke's birthday. We felt guilt escaping our beloved city, but looking back it was right for us and our family.
I don't even know what's going on here. Probably sharing what was happening in Minneapolis with Blake and his roommate.
Blake has a new roommate that we refer to as the butler because his room is in the servants quarters. He brought us beer that he picked up for cheap over in Superior.
He had a trunk full, so why not share, I suppose.
It felt weird to be away from home, especially at a time like this.
We hadn't planned on coming and didn't bring any food with. Usually we go out when in Duluth, but ordering pizza will have to do.
Pizza, beer and old fashioneds while the country burns.
The next morning Blake made his famous monster pancakes.
I had a job to finish up, so I worked all day long.
While Scott worked, Blake and I took the kids to the beach. Per Meadow's request.
It's a good beach. I was so jello.
The water was numbing cold but we didn't mind.
This kid loves his sand.
Theo your pants are falling down, want to take your pants off. "No"
Blake's been doing a lot of work on his yard including adding these raised garden beds.
Even though we were still feeling guilty for leaving, the kids loved having a yard to play in.
They also love their uncle like no other.
They also love their uncle like no other.
You can even see ships in the harbor from his yard.
We couldn't help going on Facebook all day. Loved to see how many people turned out for todays protest.
Blake made us an epic tortellini skillet for dinner. Oh, and salad. That guy sure loves salads.
His throw-together meals from the fridge are always so good.
With my work finished, we decided to head home. After all the worry, the city mostly returned to normal the night we'd left. We'd actually been in Minneapolis during the worst nights.
Apparently we should have checked the weather before coming back. This week was hot so we let the kids play in the sprinkler.
Hey, you're not a kid!
Mr Theo who usually doesn't care if water gets on his face was not into the sprinkler.
Mr Theo who usually doesn't care if water gets on his face was not into the sprinkler.
Despite the heat, we couldn't say no to homemade pizza and beers.
A lot of businesses had been boarded up either because they were broken into or they were hoping to prevent it. I had heard the boards were being painted with murals so we rode our bikes around to check it out.
Uptown was mostly unscathed apart from the boards and some broken windows underneath.
We got dinner at Sotaroll. The door was the only part of the facade not boarded.
They have awesome sushi and asian burritos. The kids opted for veggie sushi and edamame. Their favorite.
So good.
Over at Lyn-Lake, artists were in the process of painting murals.
We tried to explain to Meadow why their has been such an outpouring for George Floyd. I'm not sure she understands completely, but it's our duty to rase anti-racist children.
We then ventured over to where the riots were the night before we left. Our old mayor had tweeted, you know the fires were started from someone not from Minneapolis when they burn the post office and not the Kmart.
Weeks later almost everyone charged with arson has been from outstate Minnesota or further away. Oh, and they were almost all white.
Weeks later almost everyone charged with arson has been from outstate Minnesota or further away. Oh, and they were almost all white.
Waffles are always the perfect food. Always.
We've been really privileged through all of this. We get to go on bike rides and pick up beer. Explore Duluth. Meanwhile other parts of the city were forced to reckon with an uncertain future.
Many neighborhoods lost their grocery stores and pharmacies.
We love you, Minneapolis.
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