A Long Rambling Post

So we had a great time in Minneapolis over the weekend. We actually spent the weekend in St. Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, and luckily it was really quite warm. The day before we came the high was 14, but all weekend it didn't really dip below forty. The sidewalks were slushy and waterlogged, but the street drainage was excellent. At one point we passed a sidewalk that had about two inches of water on it. I guess if the temperature dips, someone could go skating out there!

A few cousins stayed for the weekend festivities, and one who was supposed to go home Friday ended up staying because "the pilot didn't show up." Hmmm. If that's the best the airline could come up with, how bad is the truth? Granted, the pilot could have been passed out drunk somewhere, and in that case, I guess the passengers should be pleased that he didn't show up. I'm thinking more likely the airline preferred to charter out the plane/crew then send a half empty flight to Philadelphia. Already the night before, when this couple tried to print boarding passes they were told the flight was overbooked so they weren't assigning seats. They got to the airport early, and based on the gate attendance at boarding time, there's no way the flight was overbooked.

It ended up well for them, because they were more than happy to stay. Someone else left on Friday and had to decline an offer of a $300 voucher if she would switch to a flight going into Laguardia instead of JFK. She had checked luggage so she was not eligible.

When we got to the hotel on Thursday we went to check in. The rate we had gotten was a special rate for the wedding, but we figured what the heck, and we asked for an upgrade. We said last time we were here you upgraded us to the club level, could you do that again? First she said she wasn't sure, because we were part of the wedding, and then she said "OK, I've moved you up." That was very coool. I don't know if the rooms are different, but you get access to the the "club room" which is coffee and soda all day and breakfast (which we didn't use)in the morning. Also, you need to use your room key to access the elevator to your floor. Lesson: Ask for the upgrade. It can't hurt.

We rented a car too. I don't know if the rates are really cheap there, or if we just got a great deal, but we added GPS. We could have walked away with it too, because when we got on the shuttle back to the airport after dropping off the car, there was no mention of the GPS anywhere on the bill. We called and they put it on, but I don't know if anyone would have known had we walked off with it. So why did we rent a car? It actually came out to less than if we would have taken a cab from downtown to the burbs, and then a cab back to the airport (though we may have gotten a ride for that). But really? We needed a place for our stuff on Friday. We ended up going to the Mall Of America. There is a light rail from downtown to the Mall, but we had luggage, and it's hard to play mini golf when you're pulling a suitcase behind you.

There was a time when I would beat MBB at mini golf. Now I start off a few strokes ahead, but he gets focused and I get cocky, so he ends up ahead by about 7-10 strokes. I need to refocus.

Saturday night we went bowling with a bunch of cousins. It was really fun. Especially when one guy, who hardly EVER bowls, was throwing down strikes and spares and looked as shocked as the rest of us!

Sunday we left, and stopped at a place called Breadsmith on the way to the airport. MBB scored sourdough bread which is hard to come by in these parts, and I got a mini greek olive ciabatta bread that was heavenly. It was crusty and salty and olivey, and just delicious. The cinnamon buns and scones weren't too shabby either.

Interesting thing about the Minneapolis airport that is different from a lot of airports: Once you go through security you can go to any concourse or any gate. It's a massive airport, but I think it's pretty and not a bad place to kill an hour. Luckily we were not delayed, and since we got the tickets with miles, the best return flight only had a first class availability. So we went first class. WOO HOO! We got water before we took off! They did also serve a free meal which we declined (it cost 5 bucks in the back), and we got out of the plane first. The seat was really nice and roomy, and I fell asleep for about an hour.

The shuttle to our off site parking showed up right away, and when we got there I went in to pay, (with my trusty coupon that my brother (the attorney!!!)suggested)and everything was going great. Until I overheard a woman on the phone crying that her car had been stolen out of the lot. Man, that ain't worth $8 a day! Now, she was no longer at the counter, or talking to anyone at the parking lot so I assume I missed most of the drama. The Police came right about then. All I could think was if this was me, I would walk around the ENTIRE lot just to make sure no one had moved the car. I would check hotel parking, too This lot is on site of a hotel). The sad thing is I doubt the cops will really investigate this, but I would check all the employees. This lot has a guy in a booth you have to pass as you enter/leave. He opens his window and yells "EZ WAY?" you say yes and he waves you on. No reciept needed, no token, nothing. To get in there is a lif gate, but he opened it right away for the shuttle driver so access onto the lot is not that hard. (If you don't work there you need to take a ticket and then the gate opens. You don't do anything with that ticket, it just opens the gate) This could totally be an inside job. Drive the car off the lot, and return the keys. This is Newark. I'm sure there is SOMEWHERE you can get a set of keys made. I feel really bad for this woman. Here you think you parked all safe and secure and BOOM!!! Car's gone. It was a brand new truck. Things went smoothly for us, and we went home.

The kids were happy to see us, and now it's back to real life.