Travel to MN

[tigertoy]

Last summer, I combined attending chirosinger and musicmutt's wedding with a few days on the glorious North Shore.  I had to return to Illinois to start my new job.  I really didn't want to leave, so I consoled myself with a promise that I would return before the full-year Minnesota state park pass I bought expired.

So now I'm planning the return trip I promised myself.  The time that seems to make most sense for me is the week before Memorial Day.  I want to leave Illinois Sunday May 20 and return Saturday May 26.  My thinking is that this is early enough for things to be a little more spring than summer, but before Memorial Day I'm guessing things will be a little less crowded.  I'm hoping that my friends in Minnesota can either confirm this thinking or tell me that I'm crazy.  (I'm only planning on spending mid-week nights along the shore.  I'm assuming that motels will be open but not so busy that I need to make reservations.)

Also, since I expect to be passing through the Twin Cities and optionally passing through Des Moines on the way there and the way back, I'm hoping to have a chance to see some folks in person.  If you're in one of those places (or another place along a rational route between Champaign and Duluth) and would be interested in seeing me, chime in.  I'm tentatively thinking of going up through Wisconsin, getting to the Twin Cities late Sunday night if anyone cares, being in the Twin Cities Monday (possibly Monday night in Duluth), Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights on the shore, Friday night in Des Moines, and coming home Saturday.  (I can't be terribly late Saturday, since I will be going to EFRC on Sunday.)  I can rearrange the up and back parts as makes sense.  Unfortunately, partying on Friday night in the Twin Cities doesn't qualify as making sense, but I could visit Des Moines on the way up, have dinner (just dinner) Friday in the Twin Cities before spending the night somewhere around Eau Claire or Tomah.

Comments

[ericcoleman]

I am probably on my way to Joliet and Champaign that friday, but if I am not leaving till saturday it would be good to see you. I'm in Ames just north of Des Moines

[sraun]

I worked in the hotel industry in the Duluth in the late 70's - assuming things haven't changed, some of the motels on the North Shore will be open, some won't open until Memorial Day weekend. IIRC, the ratio favors 'open' - in practice, they start getting the place in shape in early May, and open up as they have space available. This is especially true for the places that are actually collections of cabins.
I'm in Minneapolis, and would be interested in getting together! The 26th is very bad - kosmickitten and bernesemntdog are getting married that day, and I assume that will eat the whole day (and then some!) That's my long week - I work Sun-Wed 7AM-7PM, but could get together somewhere for dinner about 7:30-8:00.

Des Moines! :)

[ntrlstgrl.livejournal.com]

I vote that you leave earlier and visit DM for DemiCon before you go north but I think that won't work this year. :)

I'm leaving for MI on Saturday the 26th, but will be in town Friday the 25th and there's no reason ericcoleman & I & whoever else you might know in DM might not be available Friday.

Yay! :)

p.s. crash space might be available in the guestroom here if you don't mind being rousted out at 5:00 a.m. when I leave for Michigan. Or if you need a place to crash in the possible event of attending DemiCon. Now must run off & get groceries.

Twin Cities trip

[markiv1111.livejournal.com]

I'm not at all clear about when you'll be in the Twin Cities, either going up or going back, but Louie and I would be thrilled to hear from you and quite likely get together. Do you have our home phone number?

By the way, you have mentioned a big cat named Sophie (can't remember what kind of big cat). I had a very dear and wonderful house cat named Sophie for about ten years. She was far more intelligent and empathetic than most people would expect from a four-legged friend; stories if you want. So I am inclined to feel poisitively toward a big cat with that name, no matter how irrational my doing so would seem.
Nate B.