There is a term coined by Minnesotans based on a warm friendliness and helpfulness that visitors find once inside the state's borders: Minnesota Nice. Upon arriving at our friends' house—Scott, Sarah and their daughter, Stella—we found out what it was all about. We pulled in late night as usual, wary from the long drive and were greeted with the feeling of coming home for the holidays. They carried our bags inside, put our bikes in their garage and had cold spirits at the ready. Mind you they had worked all day, Stella is only 16 months of super cute energy, and they both had to work early the next morning. We stayed up chatting about our adventure and life until after midnight and went to bed. The next morning we awoke to fresh brewed coffee, breakfast and the blessing to use all of their household amenities (laundry!) that we happily took advantage of. We’re still very grateful for the treatment we received from them and have scheduled an annual, visit which they haven‘t been informed of until now!
Scott arranged his schedule to leave work early and show us around the city during the afternoon. First, in what was becoming typical fashion, he made us some lunch and gave us some insight into his job at the University of Minnesota in the neuro-science department. Jessica got a heck of a lot more out of what he was saying than I did, and it was there that I realized I probably relate better to Ophie. So we went to chase squirrels outside and let them talk.
Minneapolis has 50-plus miles of multi-use trails that travel by three lakes and wind through numerous neighborhoods. We jumped on the bikes, picked Stella up from day care, and took a tour through about a third of the trail system. It was a beautiful late summer day and there were people everywhere. Couples out taking wedding pictures in the city’s rose garden, families sunbathing and swimming at many of the beaches along the lakes, rollerblades (yes rollerblades!!) are very popular in Minneapolis, bike riders both serious and recreational, runners, joggers, everyone…great people watching! We stopped half way through and let Stella look at the ducks and play on the beach while we had a local Oktoberfest brew. On the way back home Stella had a great time using her juice cup and snack jar as grenades which she would launch out of her bugger with great joy and accuracy. Luckily Jessica’s riding skills are up to par and she was able dodge them without harm. I don’t understand why more cities, whatever size, don’t embrace trails of this nature. Later that night Scott and Sarah invited some friends over, Scott made shrimp skewers, and we had local brews while listening to music and talked around their outdoor fire pit.
The following morning Jessica and I slip over to the store and we cook big breakfast burritos. It was a good chance to catch up with Sarah a little more and hear about her social work within the Minneapolis community. Her patients and kindness are big assets in what amounts to a very trying and tough job—most people only last 6 months. Jessica and I love her Minnesotan accent and we still reference its charm along the road now (sure, sure). They also tell us that Stella’s name came from their hippie past, which includes several stints following Phish and Scott working for the University of Iowa radio station where he hosted a Grateful Dead hour followed by a free-form music hour. Fun stories all around! Following breakfast Scott’s folks come and happily picked up Stella so we could tour around the city and then go out later in the evening. We start the adventure downtown along the Mississippi River and walk along the waterfront, explore some of the theatre district, watche a German Polka band and their very scary troll-masked dancing crew, and then sit on an outside patio and enjoy several drinks. Later in the evening we visit a great seafood spot with a fourth-story roof top bar and splurge a bit, meaning I had the lobster stuffed salmon at market price, opps! Everyone orders great food, and that all-to-dangerous one more drink. Afterward we hit up this really cool bar with a bowling alley and cabaret inside, and laugh it up over some local I.P.A.s.
Jessica and I are fully impressed, with not only our hosts, but the city as well and give it our stamp of approval!
The next day we get up early, pack up our gear, and head out for a local disc golf course with a great reputation. Scott and I play while the girls wall alongside and talk and take photos. Ophie chases squirrels. The course was challenging and we both had our ups and downs but play pretty good overall. We finish up, Scott gives me the local radio station to follow Brett Favre, the newest Minnesotan, and part ways a few miles down the freeway. We thank them for the wonderful time!
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