We had a great time walking through the University of Minnesota's campus, which is beautiful. I loved the "Gopher Way", an indoors (sometimes underground) pathway that allows you to travel from building to building without having to go outside too much. There are a few different paths, but I especially loved the ones with the school's old photographs. I'm in agreement with J that some of them like the one below and in the video are a little creepy.
In the evening, we went to my FIRST EVER hockey game. It took five years to get there, but I am so glad that it finally happened. It was one of the biggest games of the year, and very exciting.
Of course, J and I HAD to get our picture with Goldy.
Our second day was PACKED. After going to the temple, we went to St. Paul where we grabbed lunch at the Kindness Cafe.
We also went to visit one of the swankiest hotels ever. Apparently, this is where movie stars stay when they come for a visit. Since I love interior design, I decided to treat you to a sneak peek of the bathroom. (REAL towels? But of course!) 
And since I'm a real gem, I made a video for you. As soon as I saw the dressing area I wanted to be dressed up in a ballgown. (By the way, you should probably MUTE this video when you play it. I hadn't really thought through the logistics of taking a video in a bathroom.)Greatest candy store ever:
Ice-skating on an outdoor rink.
Ice-skating on an outdoor rink.
A walk across the lake, and lucky me! This fine gentleman let me drill a hole in the lake.
How many people can actually claim that they've drilled a hole in a lake?
J on the lake.
This is what people in MN do best: enjoy the outdoors, and combine it with culture with a flare of its own. This shanty town was built on the lake.
One of my favorite buildings on the lake: a library. (And, yes, that is a heating pipe on the right side of the picture.)
Sunday was also a landmark day. I tried out a Bumpit. (I know. You've all wondered about it yourself.) Allow me to answer your most burning questions: yes: it's obvious, and no: I don't recommend it.
Monday morning was also busy. We went shopping (success! new jeans!), enjoyed an amazing lunch at Lorimar's Pasta Bar (a must try), and stopped by Jonathan's local outdoor skating rink.
This is what people in MN do best: enjoy the outdoors, and combine it with culture with a flare of its own. This shanty town was built on the lake.
One of my favorite buildings on the lake: a library. (And, yes, that is a heating pipe on the right side of the picture.)
We capped off the evening with salsa dancing. (Don't you just love the look on J's face?)
Sunday was also a landmark day. I tried out a Bumpit. (I know. You've all wondered about it yourself.) Allow me to answer your most burning questions: yes: it's obvious, and no: I don't recommend it.
Monday morning was also busy. We went shopping (success! new jeans!), enjoyed an amazing lunch at Lorimar's Pasta Bar (a must try), and stopped by Jonathan's local outdoor skating rink.Lorimar's Pasta Bar is a must even if only to check out the great design. Again, I've treated you to a video of the bathroom. (Lest you think I'm always checking out bathrooms, the recommendations actually came from someone else. I mean, who thinks to use huge silver basins and showerheads for sinks? Lorimar's.)
How can you not love a place with such a fun waiter?
Have you caught on yet? I fell in love with this city! It's like they transplanted all the great outdoorsy people of Portland Oregon into a Midwestern culture of goodness and generosity, placed in a setting like New York City with culture and food. Oh. and p.s. add snow and cold. GO. You will thank me. (But maybe wait until May.)
J's local outdoor skating rink.
My favorite picture of the weekend. Why? I don't know. I love this guy, though. SUCH a great brother. Thanks for a great trip, J!
9 comments:
What an amazing trip! There are too many comments I thought of that I wanted to make as I read through it. I'll try to think of the highlights...
Gopher tunnels in MN! Brilliant! The candy store and library pictures are favorite. You're so cool for drilling a hole in the lake ice - it's thicker than I expected! I'm jealous that you went Salsa dancing! Did you keep the bumpit, so I can borrow it in May?
Abby--I think you need a special bumpit for the May wedding. It needs to be pink and bedazzled, just in case it shows through.
oh emily those are just so fun. i think you really captured the greatness of the trip!
You're right, I should have muted the bathroom video ;).
So many happy memories on this blog. Thanks and thanks and thanks, oh and thanks again. Love ya. J
well, this is interesting. everyone is writing yesterday and today - two months after the event! We must all be so busy and just now catching up. Thanks Em's for such a fun blog. I loved catching up and seeing each and everyone of the pictures.
Love,
Dad
I remember gopher tunnels at IUPUI. Oh how much I loved those! blessed souls who showed them to me. This whole blog warmed my heart despite all the cold happenings. I loved watching you drill a hole in the ice. How many people get to do that in a lifetime! I especially loved all the pics of the two of you together. I think you are positively two of the most brilliant people in all the world! To think that you are related! I would love to meet your mother and dad...
My favorites on this post are a toss up between 1) you and a MEGA power tool on the lake and 2) the high-pitched muffled laughter coming from the video camera as Jonathan was explaining the creepy photos in the tunnels. :) What a fun trip!
Kelsey--I love that you noticed the high-pitched giggles. I wondered if anyone would, and I start laughing every time I hear it.
OH Emily, sweet to see all the pics of you and Johnathan. Miss you guys!!
MaN, I have the coolest brother and sister! How did I not see this post earlier. Clearly I'm behind! That looks like an awesome trip. I'm just wishing that I were there to enjoy it with you!
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