Minneapolis

After the drive up along the Mississippi River Wednesday, I met up with my cousin Kim and her fiancée John at her apartment on Grand in St Paul. My immediate reaction in a 15 minute walk up and down that street: people are friendly there! Strangers on the sidewalk kept making eye contact and smiling and even saying hello sometimes. What a great and welcoming feeling that gives! Is that "Minnesota Nice?"

We met up with my Uncle Dave and had dinner across the way at Brassa. I remember this place (albeit a different location) from my days working in Minneapolis in 2009-2010, one of the few places other than the office and the hotel bar I ever saw! Kim, John and I stayed out for a bonus drink at Wild Onion. There was a disco ball.

Thursday I went to Uptown for a wander, had lunch at Amazing Thailand (crushed their all-you-can-eat buffet), then to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for see their collection. I particularly enjoyed a Finnish design exhibit. Then I met up with my Aunt Karin at her office (got to see a 3D printer in action!) a restaurant that used to be her former office, The Free House, and then for a walk around Lake Harriet.

Friday morning Kim and I had a Cuban breakfast at Victor's 1959 Café, and then I hit the road to settle in to a nine hour drive to the Badlands, South Dakota.

Frontenac State Park

Stopped here for a couple hour hike along the main trail loop, switchbacking up and down the bluffs of the river. Nice spot for a quiet walk.

National Eagle Center, Wabasha, MN

Pretty cool! Gorgeous drive up the Mississippi River to St Paul after as well.

Rochester, MN

Rochester is the home of Mayo Clinic, a renown and historic health care facility. My cousin David lives there with his wife Rachel, who is doing her audiology doctoral externship here.

I arrived Sunday midday, and we went for Mexican at El Carambas (¡comidas verdades!). They gave me a little driving tour of the area and some of its history, including a stop at the Plummer House with a walk around the grounds.

That evening I made rhubarb pie from rhubarb picked up at the Madison farmers’ market.

Monday we had lunch at the DAHLC (Mayo’s staff fitness facilities) cafeteria, tried to go on an art tour (Mayo has an amazing collection lining its building walls) but the volunteer didn’t show (boo), ran into a falconer in the building. Fhkj Rachel gave us a tour of her offices, tested my hearing (still okay) and gave me a detailed talk on cochlear implants. David and I took a self-guided art tour (free audio guides at the info desk) while Rachel took a meeting, and saw a number of famous works by Warhol and Chihuly’s glass. We wrapped up the day with yoga at the DAHLC and then back home for dinner of red beans and rice.

Tuesday David and I had dinner at Mango Thai (excellent), walked around the few blocks of retail, checked out the coolest Barnes and Noble in the world, went for a hike at Quarry Hill Nature Centre, and then picked up Rachel from work who was unfortunately ill. David and I had a quick dinner at City Café, where I had a nice piece of rare seared tuna.

Tomorrow I’ll head up to Minneapolis via the Mississippi, and then leave the Midwest.