WW: Fort Snelling #historic @Fort_Snelling #trip #vacation #minnesota

We almost skipped going to the Historic Fort Snelling on our trip to Minnesota. 

Besides my Grandpa that was in the Navy, Travis and my family were never really in the military. It was rated as a great spot to visit in Minnesota. We decided to spend the morning there.

There was a subway that went that direction, but we did have to walk a bit to get to the area where we needed to be. Thankfully Travis had the map up on his phone. Even the security guard didn't know how to get to our destination by walking. Do look at a map on their website if you plan on going.

Cost:

Adults $12
Seniors and College Students $10
Children 5-17 $6
Children 4 and Under FREE
Native American's FREE
MilitaryVeterans and Family FREE

Hours:

CLOSED Monday
10-4 Tuesday-Friday
10-5 Saturday and Sunday

History:

They start out by showing you a movie. Native American's lived on the land before the Army built buildings there. For awhile they tried to live in the same space, until a war broke out. The Army killed most of the Dakota and Ojibwe Natives. When Fort Snelling was rebuilt they tried to keep intact what it was like before the Civil War took place. Not to offend anyone, but I'd have to side with the Native American's. I feel for them. Caucasians have taken so much from them.

Fort Snelling:

We had a bit of a walk before getting to the main fort. There were a lot of old doors and windows on buildings.

Outside Fort Snelling there were people planting a 3 Sister Garden: Corn, Squash and Beans. Travis has planted a 3 Sister Garden for about 3 years now. It was a little late in the planting season, so I hope it grows for them.

Bang!

They had a re-enactment.

Store:

Many of the smaller things in the store they dug up from the ground. They did find Chess pieces.

There was a lot of trade, and importing that went on even in those days. Coffee, Tea, Tobacco and more came from different areas.

Animals were killed for their skins. They used the skins to make top hats. The hats were dyed a color. I asked if they used Walnuts to dye them, and the lady there wasn't sure. The animals they usually used were muskrats and beavers.

They were pretty sure they knew where the cash register was based on the fact that there was a lot of coins found in one spot when they were digging. 

Fort Snelling:

 We got to climb up the round building.

 This was out view:

Hospital:

I took a particular interest in the hospital area. There was a lot to see. I have/had 7 nurses in my family.

Hospital beds lined a wall.

Hospital supplies were set out to see.

Do you see the branch? That's willow branch. They used to mix it with hot water, steep it for a willow tea. It was their Aspirin. Travis has made me some for an evening drink. He mixes honey in it to make it taste better. It does have an Aspirin taste.

Pharmacy:

General's House:

The General had much more than everyone else. A nice house on the bottom, but upstairs wasn't as nice. It was just for sleeping. Fine China was even downstairs. I have to admit I could have cared less about the fancy stuff. I liked the upstairs better.

Outside was a lookout spot:

Kitchen:

The kitchen was hot! During those times they didn't have air to circulate. Slaves cooked and cooked, for many people. I loved the kitchen. In some ways I'd like to have it. I bet pizza and breads taste freaking great!

Do you like old things? 

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I got no compensation, for writing this post. All opinions are my own. 

Movie in the Park

The thing I like about Omaha, Nebraska is that it's very family friendly. They offer a lot of workshops, camps, Train Days, and free movies and more during the summer.

Alamo Draft House sponsors free movies at Turner Park in Midtown Crossing on Monday nights. 

We finally went to see Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. 

I know this is after the fact, but this gives you an idea of what kind of movies they play throughout the spring/summer:

June 10 - The Princess Bride (PG)

June 17 - Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG)

June 24 - Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (PG)

July 1 - Independence Day (PG-13)

July 8 - Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (PG-13)

July 15 - Up (PG)

July 22 - Back to the Future (PG)

July 29 - Space Jam (PG)

August 5 - Jurassic Park (PG-13)

I would have enjoyed seeing them all. Right now we've only seen Ace Ventura. I'm writing this on July 11th though. I hope to see more. My boys have never seen Space Jam, and I think Isaak would enjoy it! The rest they've seen.

Isaak wrestling with Travis. It's not abuse if they are giggling and asking for it.

Isaak and I twinning. We look a like here. When he is right by Travis he looks like him too.

Parking:

We were a little nervous about parking. It's mostly metered parking. I was off the day we went. I said, "Let's just go early." We went way too early! We got there, parked in a garage that has 3 hours free parking, and walked over to see that we were the only ones there. 

They don't start the movie until it gets dark, so leaving at 4:30 to go, may have been overkill. 

I was thinking we'd pay for parking. At the end of the night they just let all the cars in the garage go. How nice!

What to Bring:

Chairs, Blankets, Card Games, Books, Bug Spray, Food and Water. They do have some food booths set up.

Mica was excited to read this book. He got it new at a local bookstore with a summer reading library coupon.

They play music, and old cartoons before the show.

Does the town you live in have a free movie night?

It's Hip to be Square Pop-Tarts

Travis and I made Strawberry Jam a week or so ago. We had some jam left over, but not enough to can another batch.

I decided I'd make some Strawberry Pop-Tarts with some of the jam. 

You really can use any flavor of jam you'd like. The jam doesn't need to be homemade.

I made 2 batches, and doubled everything. On the weekends I make big breakfasts, so everything will last throughout the week. Plus I have a lot of jam to use up. I'm giving you a single recipe. A single recipe will make about 16 pop-tarts, and a double recipe will make about 32 pop-tarts. 

Set the oven to 400 degrees. This will take 18-20 minutes to cook.

Pastry:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter (chilled and cubed)

3/4 cup shortening (chilled and cubed)

1/2 cup ice water

Directions:

Pour the flour and salt in a mixing bowl and stir. Add the chilled and cubed butter and shortening. Combine with a pastry cutter. Work it until it has all been mixed, and is crumbly. Add in ice water, and stir. 

Flour a clean surface. I add flour to my rolling pin. Work the dough into a ball, flatten, and roll out.

Use a square cookie cutter to cut out your shapes to add to a sprayed cookie sheet.

Filling:

1/2 cup Strawberry Jam (You Can Use Another Kind of Jam)

1 Tablespoon Corn Starch  

Directions:

Mix and put just enough to fill the center of the Pop-Tarts. 

Extra Directions:

Whisk 1 Egg in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to paint the butter on the edges. It will be the glue that holds it together.

Top with one more square piece.

Use a fork to crimp the edges.

It took my oven 20 minutes to bake these. I got everything else ready that I wanted to go with them in this time. 

Frosting:

They taste good with no frosting at all. I mixed 1/4 cup powered sugar with water, and added in a spoon full of Strawberry Jam.

I frosted them when they just got out of the oven. The frosting runs, but sits up pretty fast. 

Breakfast Time:

Everyone enjoyed their meal. We had peaches, spinach leaves, scrambled eggs, a small glass of OJ and coffee with our Pop-Tarts.

I've made Pop-Tarts before, but was more successful this time around. 

Have you made Pop-Tarts before? What flavor of jam would you prefer with them?