Yeah, so I’m going to Minneapolis tomorrow with my mom and her boyfriend. Google Maps says it’s a nine-and-a-half hour drive, but I think it will probably take longer than that because Mom wants to avoid Chicago. We might stay the night somewhere along the way. I have volunteered to share the driving but I’m not sure Mom will allow that. It’s her car and I’m a terrible driver, frankly.
I will get to see my friend John and meet his new wife as well. I’m really looking forward to that and I’m glad John and his wife could carve a hole in their very busy schedules. I’m honestly not sure of the date I’ll be returning. I think it’s like the 8th or so.
I’ve been to Minneapolis before, ten years ago, but I was only there to meet a friend. I stayed one day and visited the Mall of America and met my friend and then flew home immediately afterwards. I have checked Atlas Obscura for some cool and unusual places to visit while I’m there. (They actually have a “vegan butcher’s shop.” Oh-kay… I think I’ll skip that.) The Bell Museum of Natural History looks good, as does the Ax-man Surplus Store and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. I’m open to suggestions.
For that matter, if anyone from the area reads this blog and wants to meet me while I’m there, I’m open to that too. Email me at administrator@charleyproject.org if you’re up for that.
I won’t be able to update Charley while I’m there, though I should be able to be on Facebook and this blog. So updates will resume when I return.
The Charley Project Blog 
Have fun! If you are ever near Dallas let me know!
If you get a chance eat at Moscow on the Hill. The food is amazing and the vodka is even better.
The conservatory is beautiful it is attached to the Como Zoo. I worked for the zoo and conservatory. Zoo is pay if you can, one of the few privately run public zoos that doesn’t charge. Conservatory is $5 dollars or so (haven’t been there in a year or two since I left job there). Have to say I’ve been to 20+ zoos and this one is one of the nicest. Might not be big but very nice displays and not a ton of people. Good location too, outskirt of St. Paul, very safe neighborhood. Conservatory is amazing too, it is awesome when they do the tea ceremony in the tea house, it was shipped piece by piece from a partner in Japan.
If you get a chance check out the St. Paul Saints baseball team. Even if you don’t like baseball (and I’m not really a fan) it is super entertaining. I know that for the fourth of July game they have fireworks and tickets are 9 bucks a person. There is a ton of entertainment done during the game outside of baseball. Plus team is partially own by Bill Murray so there is that too. 🙂 Have fun on your trip.
Cedar Fair is in Shakopee, which is a SW suburb of Minneapolis. It is owned by the same company who owns Cedar Point (I’m also a Buckeye). Not as big, but still a fun thing to do in the area.
safe travels! and I hope you packed your phone charger 🙂