State Park Count Down

I was able to get away this Memorial Day with my beau, John. We escaped to the North Shore. I've learned that when Minnesotans want to get away they usually "go up north" which could mean "the cabin" or to the North Shore. The North Shore is the shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Canada. Colorado equivalent: "going to the mountains".

The North Shore

I had never seen Lake Superior or anything north of the Cities, actually. I was surprised by the cliffs and how expansive the lake is. We spent our day in two state parks: Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry. I knew they would be a bit touristy especially on Memorial Day weekend but I wanted to start somewhere to explore my new state. They really weren't that crowed; we

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

still got alone time everywhere we went. We stayed in Two Harbors. We realized was a bad idea when, at 6pm, we were bored. We traveled 20 minutes to Duluth for a drink which is where we should have stayed. O well! Coming back we took the scenic route. Seriously, it's called North Shore Scenic Route. The road was dotted with quaint cabins and beautiful views of the coast. We should stay in one of those lodges next time!

I loved seeing the forest wake up: the leaves were budding and the ferns spouting fiddleheads. I can't wait to explore the wildflowers this summer. That got me thinking...

I want to visit all the Minnesota state parks. All 68. The next on my list will be a place to enjoy wildflowers fully. See my State Park Count Down page to keep track! 

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Haircut in the City

I dread getting a haircut. I especially loathe finding a new hair stylist. I've been traumatized by so many bad Fantastic Sams cuts as a kid (thanks mom). Luckily I stumbled upon Janelle at Trendsetters in Pueblo. She's been cutting my tresses for years and I actually started liking getting my haircut.

Then I moved to a city with a salon on every corner and a new decision to make: who will cut my hair? Jess, my boyfriend's sister, recommended a friend of hers. With the split ends branching more every day, I had to make an appointment. I even took a risk and got some swooshy bangs. Marcy Darling (her real name) from Salon Le Terre did a great job. I felt at ease with her chattiness and approve of my hair. What do you think?

Snow Emergency? WTF?

It's finally snowed a bunch in Minneapolis. We might get 15" in a day! The Governor has declared a Snow Emergency. In Colorado, a Snow Emergency is as simple as don't call emergency vehicles for minor crashes. You have 30 days to report the accident.

Snow Emergency in Minnesota? A little different...

What I've learned:
1) Know where to park. 
From the MN Transportation Dept. Your car will be ticketed and towed if it's in the wrong spot.
Day 1, 9pm-8pm: Don't park on street with red Snow Emergency signs until it is fully plowed.
Day 2, 8am-8pm: Don't park on EVEN sides of non-Snow Emergency streets. Don't park on the sides of parkways.
Day 3, 8am-8pm: Don't park on ODD sides of non-Snow Emergency streets.
Day 4: If it's still snowing, you're f*#%ed.

2) People own snow blowers--and use them!
I'm never seen so many snow blowers in use. I can definitely understand why they're used after a foot of snow falls and you have a corner lot.

3) You have to shovel your sidewalks.
Property owners are required to clear sidewalks of ice and snow within 24 hours for homes and duplexes and within 4 hours for apartment and commercial buildings.

4) You have to use your headlights in rain and snow.
It is illegal to drive without your headlights on in the rain or snow. And it's also smart. So turn your lights on idiot!

5) Pedestrians walk in the streets more. 
It's just easier walking in the street instead of waiting for the sidewalks to be shoveled. Luckily, I lived in Pueblo for 10 years where no one uses sidewalks.

Did I miss anything?

Thank God for Robin

I could not have moved to Minneapolis without my good friend, Robin. I'm so grateful for her support and love throughout this exciting yet scary transition. She helped me follow my instincts. She put up with my temper tantrum when I got the trailer stuck. She helped me drug my cats. She drove a 16' trailer with car in tow across the country for no good reason but because she cares.  I couldn't have asked for a better companion!

Finding My New Home

My new place!

How to find an apartment 1,000 miles away? Not possible. Well, I guess it is possible but I couldn't get the feel of a place from a few pictures on the internet. My plan: find a bunch of places I like online and make appointments for the few days I have between arriving in Minneapolis and starting work.

What I want:

• Historic preferably brownstone
• Close to downtown Minneapolis
• Near Cedar Ave. 
• 1-bedroom 
• Hopefully in Whittier, Nakomis, Powderhorn, Phillips, Longfellow

After scouring MyApartmentMap.com, Rent.com, and Craigslist, I narrowed my list down and called the managing companies to set up appointments. Not all my picks were available for Sept. 1 but I got a firm list of 4 to look at. I also got pre-approved at a few property management companies so I wouldn't have to wait if I liked the apartment. Whew! 

Robin and I woke bright and early on Saturday to start the hunt. Starting with Whittier, we saw a few 1920s apartments. They were a little pricier, parking was scarce, and the neighborhood was a bit whiter than I'm used to. We looked at complex in Bloomington that was the exact opposite of what I wanted: isolated "community" with a pool and social nights. Slightly discouraged, we started driving towards Stevan's Square for the last appointment of the day. I had heard that Steven's Square might not be the best neighbhorhood for a single while lady, but I am coming from Pueblo. 

We decided to drive through Powderhorn and Phillips before. I really like this neighborhood. It just feels right. Suddenly, I got a call from the woman meeting us checking to confirm. She said I might be interested in an apartment that just opened up in....Powderhorn! 

As soon as we pulled up to the three story brownstone across situated across from a large, quiet park, I was hooked. I didn't even need to see the apartment. I wanted to be here. The woman from The Apartment Shop showed us the 1-bed/1-bath with hardwood floors, and plenty of storage. Other good news: it was $100 cheaper than the other places and it has off street parking. I signed that day and I was ready to move! 

Bad news: I had to wait till Wednesday to move--my first day of work!

To MN We Go!

Somehow Robin and I made it 1,000 miles driving a car, hauling a car, and comforting 2 cats. I've learned that Ivy is a master (mistress?) of hiding. At the Ogallala Super 8, she somehow found a hole in the fabric under the boxspring and decided that was the perfect place to hide. This was after I already drugged her before we were set to leave. Robin and I furiously tried to coax her out before she passed out inside the bed. It worked although it was more than I wanted to deal with at 8am pre-coffee.


The cats were relatively calm on the drive (the tranquilizers helped). Poor babies had to hauled in and out of hotel rooms and drugged four times over two days. If only my journey was that easy.

Ivy and Tank. Not amused.

We had one adventure in Nebraska. I got it into my head that I wanted a coffee and I wanted to get it at a local shop downtown. Seriously, Jenny? Downtown with a truck and trailer? Yep. I don't know how Robin didn't smack me. It worked out though and I'll never try to maneuver one way streets downtown while hauling again.

Besides the obnoxious Nebraska drivers, the drive was hassle free. We saw wind turbines in Iowa and picture perfect farmland. After 20 hours of driving, we finally made it: my new home, Minneapolis.

l'Hôtel à Bloomington (The Hotel in Bloomington)

Robin picked out a wonderfully modern hotel for us to stay in Minneapolis. It was actually in Bloomington, south of Minneapolis.  We didn't want to have to drive a Penske truck into the city. The Sofitel is a French-themed hotel with brutalist architecture. It reminded me of Hannah (French) and Wade (architecture). We stayed here for 5 days! The cats got to relax a bit at least.

My car on MN soil

I remember when we loaded my wee Toyota Tercel onto the trailer Johnmark said, "The next time you drive this car it will be in Minneapolis."