Midwest Voyage 2 : Minneapolis
FRIDAY, JUNE 8 :: Pulled up to Beth & Scott's place around 3PM in a very nice 'burb of Minneapolis. Beth greeted us, and my family dropped off our bags and turned right around to get back to Ironwood that night (Gordon had a car show he was involved with on Sunday, and so wanted to be back into home Saturday eve.) Beth made a nice salad & took us on a walk around the area - going down to the lakeside beach a few blocks from their duplex. Scott got home from work a bit later, our evening plans included stopping at a plaza bluegrass show ( getting some Cheese curds), and over to comedy troupe Brave New Workshop, which was quite funny.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9 :: Breakfast at the French Meadow ( I got a muffin!). Shopping at Electric Fetus record store - 20% off special, and I got a local punk compilation! Scott needed to get some photog work done, so he dropped us off at the Walker Art Gallery and sculpture garden. Thus began a huge walking tour of town - downtown biz district; pho lunch; thru the revitalized warehouse area (including the old Gold Flour Mill which had exploded & they've rebuilt inside the ruins; and the Guthrie Theatre with its Amber Room vista point, and the Endless Bridge). We took a footbridge across the Mississippi River, to a hipster neighborhood and shopped at Bibelot, and met up with Scott for drinks at The Bulldog. By this time it felt like we were living the life of 'The Sun Also Rises'... Next was a World Music Fest back in downtown area; dinner at Pizza Luce across the street (getting their famous Garlic Mashed Potato pizza); then to Nye's Polonaise room for some polka, cocktails, and karaoke. It was a bit of a late night after that, sharing music and videos w/ Scott as the ladies hit the hay.
SUNDAY, JUNE 10 :: Tried a couple places for brunch, top choiced seemed to be closed, so we went to the hipster haven for Moose & Sadie's (I got a muffin!); then off on the transit train to the... Mall of America! Yes, it was a consumer orgy with its aquarium tour, giant stage with line dancing and inappropriately dressed underage girls, and amusement park. We did hit the arcade, and went on the 'Ripsaw' roller coaster ride (which gave a good overview of the whole scene). Then to some shopping - cheese store, sporting goods (3 stores right next to each other, and still it was hard to find a good Minnesota Timberwolves shirt), and food court. Scott got a Red Baron-looking kite, which we took to a hill near their place (never really got it in the air), then went to the lake beach for some swimmin. Back to the house to chill, then Beth took us off to the airport at 7 PM.
It was great time hanging with good friends who had moved away and hadn't kept in good enough touch. But we were reminded all the time there why we were such friends with them - bright, worldly, similar sensibilities in lifestyle and the arts, generous and supportive. As Bonnie said, too - it was like an introduction into our CA world, being in a bigger city and with familiar folks. It was also intriguing to see that they had friends who were artists or otherwise involved in 'the scene', and wherever we went, it seemed one or both of them knew someone around (Beth's old school chum at the Guthrie, Scott's co-worker at The Bulldog, etc). Thanks again for a spectacular weekend!
SATURDAY, JUNE 9 :: Breakfast at the French Meadow ( I got a muffin!). Shopping at Electric Fetus record store - 20% off special, and I got a local punk compilation! Scott needed to get some photog work done, so he dropped us off at the Walker Art Gallery and sculpture garden. Thus began a huge walking tour of town - downtown biz district; pho lunch; thru the revitalized warehouse area (including the old Gold Flour Mill which had exploded & they've rebuilt inside the ruins; and the Guthrie Theatre with its Amber Room vista point, and the Endless Bridge). We took a footbridge across the Mississippi River, to a hipster neighborhood and shopped at Bibelot, and met up with Scott for drinks at The Bulldog. By this time it felt like we were living the life of 'The Sun Also Rises'... Next was a World Music Fest back in downtown area; dinner at Pizza Luce across the street (getting their famous Garlic Mashed Potato pizza); then to Nye's Polonaise room for some polka, cocktails, and karaoke. It was a bit of a late night after that, sharing music and videos w/ Scott as the ladies hit the hay.
SUNDAY, JUNE 10 :: Tried a couple places for brunch, top choiced seemed to be closed, so we went to the hipster haven for Moose & Sadie's (I got a muffin!); then off on the transit train to the... Mall of America! Yes, it was a consumer orgy with its aquarium tour, giant stage with line dancing and inappropriately dressed underage girls, and amusement park. We did hit the arcade, and went on the 'Ripsaw' roller coaster ride (which gave a good overview of the whole scene). Then to some shopping - cheese store, sporting goods (3 stores right next to each other, and still it was hard to find a good Minnesota Timberwolves shirt), and food court. Scott got a Red Baron-looking kite, which we took to a hill near their place (never really got it in the air), then went to the lake beach for some swimmin. Back to the house to chill, then Beth took us off to the airport at 7 PM.
It was great time hanging with good friends who had moved away and hadn't kept in good enough touch. But we were reminded all the time there why we were such friends with them - bright, worldly, similar sensibilities in lifestyle and the arts, generous and supportive. As Bonnie said, too - it was like an introduction into our CA world, being in a bigger city and with familiar folks. It was also intriguing to see that they had friends who were artists or otherwise involved in 'the scene', and wherever we went, it seemed one or both of them knew someone around (Beth's old school chum at the Guthrie, Scott's co-worker at The Bulldog, etc). Thanks again for a spectacular weekend!
posted by pegasusgiraffe at 8:56 PM
2 Comments:
It was so great having you both! Anyone who will duet on Frank Sinatra with me and then finish up with couples polka are friends for life.
Sounds like a great time. Would have loved to have joined that tour of Minneapolis! Any photos Jeff?
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