I finally went somewhere and did something! I'm sure this news will shake up the web! Mr. always attends the ACSI Administrators Conference in the winter. Often I am able to go with him to whatever exotic local they select to host this august group -- like Merrillville, IN, or Valparaiso, IN. This year we went to Minneapolis. I have only been to MN once before -- for another education conference. Let me just say that Minneapolis is a long drive from Oshkosh.
During our maiden voyage to MN, we stayed at the Crown Plaza -- a random pick, I believe. Oddly enough -- on our second northerly venture, we ended up at the same Crown Plaza hotel. The hotel is located in a northern industrial park area of Minneapolis -- Brooklyn Center. In the middle of this area, I discovered a nature preserve complete with stream, paved path and foot bridge. I also spotted deer on my first trip there -- kind of a strange find with the silhouette of warehouse buildings in the background and the roar of traffic rushing past.
I wasn't planning to attend the conference, but rather thought I'd just hang out while John went to sessions/workshops. A few days before we left, our kids decided they would come with us. This surprised me, but gave me some great traveling companions.
Speaking of traveling companions, my friend Pam just happened to be on a business trip to Minneapolis on the exact same days of our visit. Would you believe she had already booked a room in the our exact same hotel? Kind of crazy! I thought it was fun to get to see her a little in between her various business responsibilities.
So, Mr. did his thing -- went to his conference, talked to his comrades-in-arms, networked -- and I don't know what else. Woody, Dwight and I hung out, ate junk food, and make a huge mess in our hotel room.
I took the guys out on my nature trail. The temps were in the 30s -- surely a small miracle for Minneapolis in January! We hiked along behind the hotel, along the stream, under some bridges, finding beautiful "country-side" tucked in between commerce. One direction headed toward major traffic. A substantial footbridge launched up above the expressway, connecting to a park on the far side. Crossing it kind of gave me the willies! Sadly, we did not spot any deer. I took some pics on my phone, while Woody clicked what is probably show-stopping footage on his mega-Canon. I haven't seen his stuff yet.
When sessions were over for the day, Mr. drove us down to the MOA. Something sad about going to the nation's hugest mall with three men. Shoppers paradise -- and not a sister-in-law, niece, or girlfriend in sight. I was so desperate for female company that I started chatting with every salesgirl that even halfway looked my direction! One huge upside to the MOA is the Apple Store --which sits directly across the hall from the Microsoft Store, and around the corner from Brookstone. This man-real estate section of the mall did afford me a little shopping time at least!
The hotel had an awesome pool -- which actually felt warm, a small hot tub, and a sauna. During the afternoon we rotated between the three delicacies. But, when Dwight dragged us back in the evening, the sauna had pooped out, -- nothing sadder than a cold sauna. When he dragged us back again the next morning, the sauna still remained a sad zone.
That same morning, while headed out of the pool area, we bumped into a couple of John's professional friends. Something extremely awkward about trying to carry on a serious conversation with an ACSI big-wig while wearing no make-up, wet hair, and my bathing suit. Yeah, I'm cool like that.
Then we came home. And, a good time was had by all. I said I went somewhere and did something -- I didn't say anything about it being unbelievable.
