Rochester, MN

       What a gorgeous day here in Minnesota!  Sunny, no clouds, high 60's and no wind!  Couldn't have been a nicer day!

         Today was genealogical research day at the Olmsted County Historical Society.  It's a large, well kept complex that also has an extensive museum attached to it, and good research facilities.  Becky went there at 9:00am on her quest for information on her great great granddad, Harrison France.  He had been in Minnesota visiting with his brother Harmon A. France, who was apparently a prominent figure in the Rochester area.  Harrison died while visiting here, leaving a lot of questions unanswered as to why he was here, and his family was back east.  In any event, Becky was able to get some information, but it really didn't answer the core questions as to "why".  She was able to get additional information on Harmon and his family, and a chart that explained who some of the other folks in the cemetery plot were.  Best of all, she is getting a scan of a great photograph of Harmon.  

       In the meantime, Jim took the dogs to one of the two Rochester city canine parks, both named after Jean and Carl Frank.  We went to the southernmost one, and it's a beautiful facility--probably about an acre.  There were only about 8-10 dogs there, but Rosie and Dudley had a wonderful time and completely wore themselves out!
       Becky finished her research about 1:30, so we dined in the RV, and toured around Rochester awhile.  It's really a very nice little city.  The downtown is dominated by the Mayo Clinic, which for those who haven't seen a major "clinic" is really a large collection of many medical facilities--in this case, 29 buildings including several hospitals.  Most of downtown is connected by aerial bridges, or underground subways so one can get practically anywhere without going out in the weather.
        We took advantage of the beautiful day by washing the bugs off the RV; they have really come out here in Minnesota!