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Mpls!
Taking advantage of a rare chunk of free time between projects, I snuck off to visit good friends who'd moved to Minneapolis a few years ago. I missed their company and their old husky, Indy, a lot. I also got to see the kid in a show- she did good!
Here is the complete photo set
I had been to the city before, but mostly for cons. This was the first time "living" there. The fandom there is legendary for the great cons they put on and there are a lot of nice people living there. West-coast-bigot that I am, Minneapolis was still a barren tundra in my perception. I was pleasantly surprised: it's nice. Granted, this is after the sub-zero temps and before the clouds of mosquitos, but still: all the walking trails and wild areas! Very nice.
There were reminders that Mpls is a whole 'nuther world though: vast lawns. Stuffed squirrel bands. Road rage that makes L.A. pale by comparison.
Their lawns were an interesting contrast with all of the wilderness they encourage in and around the neighborhoods: Acres of manicured lawns next to marshy wild areas. I can finally see who those Toro riding lawnmower ads are directed at: in Los Angeles lawns are generally tiny or non-existent.
There was a farmers market that I forced my hosts to walk through: now I know why they seemed so uninterested: at this time of the year Minneapolis only has dandelions (bazillions), rocks and mosquitoes. The taxidermy booth was interesting. Lots of novelty taxidermy. Mesmerized by squirrel band. Must pet stuffed coyote.
All in all, I had a fantastic time. Only four real days, but it felt like ten great days! Terrific food helps, as does long walks and huskies.
Here is the complete photo set
I had been to the city before, but mostly for cons. This was the first time "living" there. The fandom there is legendary for the great cons they put on and there are a lot of nice people living there. West-coast-bigot that I am, Minneapolis was still a barren tundra in my perception. I was pleasantly surprised: it's nice. Granted, this is after the sub-zero temps and before the clouds of mosquitos, but still: all the walking trails and wild areas! Very nice.
There were reminders that Mpls is a whole 'nuther world though: vast lawns. Stuffed squirrel bands. Road rage that makes L.A. pale by comparison.
Their lawns were an interesting contrast with all of the wilderness they encourage in and around the neighborhoods: Acres of manicured lawns next to marshy wild areas. I can finally see who those Toro riding lawnmower ads are directed at: in Los Angeles lawns are generally tiny or non-existent.
There was a farmers market that I forced my hosts to walk through: now I know why they seemed so uninterested: at this time of the year Minneapolis only has dandelions (bazillions), rocks and mosquitoes. The taxidermy booth was interesting. Lots of novelty taxidermy. Mesmerized by squirrel band. Must pet stuffed coyote.
All in all, I had a fantastic time. Only four real days, but it felt like ten great days! Terrific food helps, as does long walks and huskies.