@susan2018, Welcome to Rochester. It is a wonderful town with lots of helpful folks everywhere you look. We have been visiting Mayo Clinic in Rochester for three years. Last November, we spent 7 weeks there. We thought we would be bored out of our minds. Guess what? We still have more to see and learn.

Here's how we spent our time. We noticed the art on the walls and decided to visit all 19 floors and learn about the art and the artists on every floor. We did about 2 floors a day. Then we reviewed the images in the evening and I would post one on FB. What fun. I never mentioned where we were...didn't feel comfortable doing that but it wasn't a problem. Everyone loved the art. From the extra-large fish in the lobby of Jacobsen building to the Andy Warhol animals as you walk into the Gonda Building from the Charlton area.....it is all entrancing.

For performing art, we listened to choirs and pianists. Our very favorite performing artist was a young classical pianist playing in the quiet of evening in the Gonda Atrium. He was from Mexico and doing graduate work in neurology. At the end of his day, he would sit and play the grand piano. It is notable that our view was of the bronze sculpture at the end of the atrium. It was originally located in front of the main building. I will attach an image.

We also like the breakfast at the Kahler....they are so accommodating, even when we brought our Starbucks drinks inside. And we often spent some afternoon time watching the Peregrine falcons on the 19th floor. Read about them .....Mayo Clinic has a hatchery.

If you need a hair cut, see Michael on the sub-level. His grandfather and then his father and now he has the salon. If you do or would like to do meditation, show up at 6 pm on Wednesdays at the Cancer Center on the lobby floor, Gonda Bldg. Your leader will be one of the surgeons. During the day you may run into Evelyn with one of her therapy dogs, She has a wonderful story.

One day, we took off for Wabasha to see the eagle sanctuary. That was fascinating. We thoroughly enjoyed the Mango Thai restaurant and Pescado for seafood. We also participated in some potlucks and entertainment at Hope Lodge.

The spirit of Rochester was so evident when on our first night, the boy's eighth-grade basketball team and their fathers from a nearby town came and cooked dinner for us. The next night the graduating nurses from St Mary's arrived to spend their last evening cooking for us.

The topper came (and you need to be ready for this).....as we were leaving the lodge one afternoon. A young boy came running over and said, "Don't leave...it's my birthday and you are invited". So we came back and as promised this 11-year-old boy and his family cooked dinner for us. He chose to do this for his birthday gift. He held court at the birthday cake table. When he asked which cake I would like, coconut or chocolate, I asked him which one he liked best. His answer. "This evening is not about me, it is about you."

Enjoy your time and the amazing people in Minnesota and Rochester. Find some joy today. It could be all around you. Chris