The great Minnesota neighborhood exploratory misson with a side of much needed family time

As most of you know, Glenn and I are planning to move out of Chicago, eventually.  It was initially within our 5 year plan, and maybe it still is. All we need is for the economy to turn around a bit... ok, a lot:  <ahem> job market, housing market <ahem>.   In the meantime, I have taken to dreaming.  Dreaming about a house with a yard.  In Minnesota...or South Dakota. Either way, away from condo living and absurd taxes in Chicago.  I have done my research.  I have been looking at my "dream houses" in Minnesota, mapping them out and looking into neighborhood churches and Catholic schools.  This summer, as we made our way back to South D. for a family reunion, we decided to detour in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  This works out well for us, because we have family there and it's a good midway point between Chicago and Rapid City (also part of the reason it's at the top of our list for possible re-location places).  This time, Paul and Taryn were gone for a wedding the entire day the Saturday we were going to stop through.  They graciously offered their house anyway, but said we would have to amuse ourselves... and that we did.  We went exploring!  We started our exploratory mission with my brother showing us around Mendota Heights the morning before he left.  Mendota heights is beautiful and very close to where they live... Bonus points there.   It is also semi-wooded... also a bonus.  From there we started to follow them to Little Falls, where we had seen a beautifully preserved Dutch Colonial advertised for a steal..  and when we got there, we understood why it was such a steal.  Don't get me wrong.  Little Falls is not without its charm.  It is also not without it's "Little".   We went into the downtown antique store and got all of the town gossip from the lady who ran the joint... including all the information on who was selling the house we had come to see, what changes had been made to the place, the occupation of the owner and his wife, etc. etc.  We also got to see pictures of the architectural work her son had done in Boston.  She was so proud.  As we left she wished us good luck and told us she hoped we'd soon be a part of the Little Falls community.  We had just confirmed we would NOT be.  We like our privacy a bit more than what poor Little Falls was likely to allow.  With that, we turned around and drove back toward the cities, not forgetting to stop at the Treasure Trove on the side of the road for any souvenir our heart could desire, from anywhere in the country mind you. 

From there, our next stop was Stillwater.  Paul had recommended we stop there because it's a stopping place of theirs when they boat on the river.  And stop we did.  Stillwater was quaint.  The downtown area was filled with restaurants and shops, rather touristy, but upscale.  There were loads of antique stores, which I am always a sucker for, and endless dinner options.  We settled on a bar offering BBQ and left quite satisfied.  From there, we took a walk up the long staircase that separated downtown from the residential area.
  At the top were two gorgeous old mansions standing guard on either side, overlooking the river.  What a gorgeous view.  About a block up the road we met a lady doing yard work and inquired about the neighborhood and life in Stillwater.  After a nice chat, she recommended we walk up about 4 blocks because there were several homes for sale... just until we got to Nelson's Ice Cream Parlour, and that would be far enough.  We took that walk and wound up at Nelson's.  There was a line out the door and around the front of the store.  Glenn and I decided that there must be something worth waiting for inside and took our place in line. And boy, was there ever.  Nelson's had about 35 different flavors of ice cream to choose from, and the "Child's" ice cream at $3 was the size of a large or extra large anywhere else.  It was easily a full pint. AND, it was Delicious!!!  A perfect end to our Saturday.

Ok, now I have to backtrack.

We arrived in West St. Paul on Friday night.  My brother, who was supposed to be at a family reunion, stayed behind to welcome us (thank you Taryn!).  When we got there, he had beers waiting, and we were informed Aaron TenEyck was joining us for dinner, which was going to be "Hangover Burgers"... if that was ok.  It was.  Paul had had them at a restaurant and decided we needed to have them too.  The "Hangover Burger" is made of a ground beef patty grilled to perfection, a fried egg with runny yolk, topped with bacon and hot sauce on whatever kind of bun you prefer.  Oh, my, goodness.  They were AMAZING :)   After that, we headed out for a couple rounds of Frisbee golf. Backwoods cigars were provided for our round of back woods Frisbee golf, bets were made on who would lose and have to buy the next pack, and fun was had by all.  After golf we headed to the gas station to stock up on more cigars and headed back home for darts, smoking and drinking in the garage.  Do you think we're in college?  We're not.   Good times indeed. Saturday morning arrived and Paul agreed to take us to some garage sales and show us around their area.  We stumbled upon an estate sale... YAY! where I got a cake stand and Glenn got a fancy Christmas decoration of some kind.  He was excited.  I was excited.  Paul was in a hurry to get home because Taryn was picking him up any second for the wedding they were attending, in Little Falls... and that brings us full circle back to Sunday.  Glenn and I got up early and walked to mass Sunday morning.  By the time we got back, Paul and Taryn were also back, and Paul had breakfast making by the time we got home.  Eggs, bacon, coffee and hash browns.  Paul is a master of breakfast and his hash browns are fantastic. We were lucky enough to be there for a personal performance of the newly formed "Oak Ribbons" band...but not before an excited Ben purchased a beautiful guitar he had stumbled upon at a garage sale on the way over.  We all wanted to tag along with him, and that he did.  The guitar was indeed a beauty, and Taryn even found a rosary at the sale.  When the seller saw she was with Ben, he threw in the rosary for free.  A great afternoon for all :) When we returned,  Taryn and Ben practiced their line-up for Monday night's show while we enjoyed our private show.  If you live in Minnesota and can ever get to one of their shows, I HIGHLY recommend them.   They are both very talented and you'll be in for a treat.  I was amazed that two people could make so much music together.  Incredible.

Max and Lucian were pretty enthralled too.  Max was intent on dancing with mommy, and Lucian had climbed up on a chair and was eating cheerios while quietly taking it all in.   We always have such fun when we visit.  That evening was Mexican food for dinner and home for some more chatting and then to bed early.  We left early Monday morning to continue our journey toward the hills.   Every time we visit Minnesota, I am always certain that we could be very happy living there.   Here's hoping!

Thanks for all of your hospitality Paul, Taryn, Max and Lucian.  We can't wait until we see you again!