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Tracks in Fargo, ND.

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Tyler and I stopped by Paradox Comics-n-Cards and got the last two packs they had — Pokémon Surging Sparks. Lots of bulk.

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Delightful Nitro Oat Latte at Youngblood Coffee Roasters in Fargo, ND. This place has their coffee situation dialed in right. 👏☕️

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Time Machine at Puzzled Escape Rooms

We arrived in Fargo today and made our way to Puzzled Escape Rooms and did their Time Machine room. The room had a lot of locks and codes to figure out. We started with uncovering a lot of different items in the room and then had to figure out where to get started. The beginning was probably the hardest point. As is often the case there were a couple of things that made me “face palm” that we missed it. Others we connected the dots but didn’t know what to do with it until the puzzle showed up and we were able to clear it very fast. Overall a fun room but an older style room that is heavy code and lock based. Room 81!

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We had a nice walk this morning around the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center just outside of Fergus Falls.

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QMSB Trip - Day 13

  • 12:53 PM: Start drive to Alexandria, MN. 23 minutes late.
  • Up North Ice Cream for some delicious house made ice cream.
  • Escape Room Alexandria to do the Mad Scientist room.
  • Talked to owner of escape room and shared as well as received a bunch of recommendations.
  • Drove to Fergus Falls.
  • Check-in to Mill Boutique Hotel which has just opened. We are one of the first guests.
  • Dinner at Union Avenue. Really impressive meals. The pasta was exceptional.
  • Walk along the Otter Tail River.
  • Return to hotel for the night.

Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.

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Fergus Falls has done a great job building up the area around the Otter Tail River with a short river walk and nice spots to enjoy a great evening outside.

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Checked into the Mill Boutique Hotel in Fergus Falls. This place has just opened up and is still getting things set up. I dig the setup in an old mill building. If your a fan of exposed brick and concrete this is the place for you.

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The Experiment at Escape Room Alexandria

We made a stop at Escape Room Alexandria today and did “The Experiment”. We successfully solved the room and escaped with 6m 46s on the clock. The room had a cool flow starting with a set of puzzles that we were able to divide and do in parallel. Then we hit a whole different set of puzzles that required more communication and coordination. We had a fun time puzzling through everything and ultimately escaping.

Afterward we were able to chat with Lindsay, one of the owners, and shared a ton of great rooms that we’ve done. She has done over two hundred rooms and she also knew the folks that run Copper Cat, which is where we got the recommendation for this stop. Room 80!

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Stopped in Alexandria to try Up North Ice Cream. Tons of flavors all made in-house and delicious. They had a Sweet Corn ice cream that was pretty wild.

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QMSB Trip - Day 12

Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 8.

✅ Quebec ✅ Montreal ✅ Stowe 🔲 Bismarck

  • Check out of Airbnb.
  • Everyone has light breakfast and coffee at Stowe Bee Cafe.
  • Shopping in Stowe before we have to leave.
  • One last Maple Creemee at Red Barn Ice Cream.
  • Drive to Burlington.
  • Return rental car.
  • DL 4901 back to Minneapolis.
  • Olson Family Vacation 2025 officially concludes.
  • Pit stop at home for one night before starting the final segment of our trip.

Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.

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Writing is Thinking

With the ever growing cadre of tools that can help us create this is an important reminder that Writing is Thinking from Nature.

However, writing is not only about reporting results; it also provides a tool to uncover new thoughts and ideas. Writing compels us to think — not in the chaotic, non-linear way our minds typically wander, but in a structured, intentional manner. By writing it down, we can sort years of research, data and analysis into an actual story, thereby identifying our main message and the influence of our work.

Sometimes folks ask me if I use AI to help write the Weekly Thing and I tell them something just like this. No. I do not. Because the Weekly Thing is part of how I continue to learn myself. If I were to delegate that I would miss my own goal of learning.

A secondary desire of mine is to become a better writer. I suspect the best way to do that is to write more. And if writing is indeed thinking, does becoming a better writer make you a better thinker? I think so.

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QMSB Trip - Day 11

Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 7.

Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.

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Olson Family Vacation 2025.

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Tammy and I cycled 8.28 miles in 49.7 minutes on the Stowe Recreation Path. Ran out of time to do the last bit but covered most of it. 🚴‍♂️

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QMSB Trip - Day 10

Also Olson Family Vacation 2025 Day 6.

Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.

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We all rented bikes at [Local Motion](Island Line Trail in Burlington and rode the Island Line Trail over the Colchester Causeway. We took the Bike Ferry across “the gap” and finally turned around at Allenholm Farms on South Hero Island and made our way back.

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Riding the Colchester Causeway on the Island Line Trail in Burlington, Vermont. The causeway itself is 3 miles long.

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Morning cappuccino at Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea. Very good.

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POAP 7402821 at Olson Family Vacation 2025 — Ben & Jerry's Experience.