Lee visits MN

Lee at Minnehaha Park.

Last Wednesday, my sister's friend/co-worker Lee (whom I met briefly during my last family visit last month) came to visit my fair state of MN for the first time. Although we don't really know one another, from what my sister had told me about him over the years I felt like I sort of knew him. I also made the assumption that we might have a lot of stuff in common from the way she described his music taste, which I can now happily report I was right about. I've always believed that music makes a good matchmaker.

Anyhow, we became Facebook friends after meeting and started chatting online. He mentioned he wanted to travel more often, but like most of us we face the challenge of getting someone to travel with us or finding places to visit where we can stay with friends to make traveling a bit more affordable. He had a free round-trip flight on Southwest that he needed to use before mid-August, had never been to the Midwest and asked if he could come for a visit. Although I was surprised that anyone would use a free round-trip on a vacation to the Midwest, I kindly reminded myself that I actually live in a really great place (especially during the warm months) and extended an invitation. If it were me, I would have chosen Hawaii...but that's beside the point. I am flattered and pleased that Lee decided to come this way because I believe most people don't have a clue about how much there is to see/do here in Minnesota. Especially if you love the outdoors -- people here really maximize their outdoor time during the warms months because winter is always around the corner.

The Midwest certainly isn't all glamorous, but I suppose if you'd never been here -- you'll never know what there is to offer. We may fare second to Chicago here in the heartland of America, but we've got Prince (and for me that's a really big deal). Anyhow, Lee spent 6 days here with me and although we couldn't fit everything I had wanted to do into that timeframe I think we showed him a good slice of the Twin Cities. Below is a daily photographic breakdown of his visit:

Wednesday, Aug. 3rd

Shortly after Lee arrives, we decide to take him to Minnehaha Falls for a quick hike. We were hoping to eat at The Sea Salt eatery right in the park, but the line out the door was too long and we headed back to St. Paul instead.

Lee jumps into a crevice on the limestone cliffs we pass on our trail down to the Mississippi River. Here he is enacting a caveman whose just discovered a new home.

Thursday, Aug. 4th

After breakfast, I take Lee to nearby Swede Hollow Park for a quick morning stroll. 

Here we are downtown Minneapolis for an event a friend of mine was throwing on the rooftop of Crave bar & restaurant. It was a bit unorganized and really hot out, so kudos to Lee for putting fashion over comfort. He was a good sport this evening as I dragged him to another bar around the corner where my friends were watching Project Runway at a lounge.

Friday, Aug. 5th

I don't remember if we did anything earlier this day, perhaps just lunch at the local Hmong Village where we discovered the Blueberry bubble tea stand. But I decided to take him to the Como Zoo & Conservatory as it's free and nearby. 

My favorites at the zoo: primates. They have a gorilla there that just fascinates me to no end (not pictured here).

There's this magical little contraption that sits in the hallway of the conservatory made by a local artist. You put in 25 cents and this thing plays music, spins and then gives you a fortune. We thought it would actually print something out, instead it just stops at a word. I forget what word it stopped at for Lee...perhaps "Seek"?

It's true. All Asian people know karate and aren't afraid to bust it out...even in a tropical conservatory.

Here's a self-portrait of us that Lee snapped in my bathroom as we were just about to hit the town. We were hoping to go to Macy's Glamorama, but tickets were just to spendy. So instead, we opted to head to First Avenue on a Friday night. Eep. The music was good, but the crowd was not. Sorry Lee! You will have to visit when there are cooler shows going on so you can see there is a better night life here than what you witnessed!

Lee outside our legendary downtown club/music venue First Avenue for a night of dancing (unfortunately with overaged goth chicks, people reliving their 80s youth and random baseball fans).

Saturday, Aug. 6th

This is a view of Stillwater from the back window of our car as we drive away from the St. Croix River valley near Taylor's Falls. Our 7 mile canoe trip down the river was cancelled due to torrential rain fall. I was convinced it would clear up, but unfortunately it didn't until we got back to the city. BOO!

We take Lee to our favorite Japanese restaurant Tanpopo in Lowertown for dinner.

After dinner we made a pit stop at a dive bar in Newport, MN to sing karaoke (video to come soon). We then headed to Memory Lanes in Mpls. for some bowling and arcade fun. Lee and Dylan engage in some intense table top hockey.

Sunday, Aug. 7th

Since our Saturday canoe trip was ruined, we decide to take him to Lake Harriet, a closer city lake in Minneapolis for some kayaking and fishing. Here's me with a small muskie.

They were fresh out of canoes, so Dylan and I took a 2 person paddleboat (the slowest watercraft known to man) and Lee grabbed a kayak (a good idea on his part because he was able to get around the entire lake).

Lee gets the hang of casting pretty quickly -- just look at his graceful form! 

Lee baiting his hook with some gross worms while Dylan gives him tips about wilderness living (j/k ha ha!).

Success! Lee catches a tiny sunfish.

Monday, Aug. 8th

Almost every day that Lee was here, he was writing letters. Something everyone in the world should do because emails just aren't as cool.

This photo looks super imposed! But I assure you it's real. This is Crosby Park where we attempted to fish on the Mississippi River, but unfortunately the current was too strong and we didn't have a far enough reach to the deeper parts of the river.

We had loads more success at Lake Phalen, a park/lake near my house where Lee caught 4 fish that day.

This sunfish looks a lot bigger than it actually was -- but it was last catch of the day!

 The next time he visits, I'm hoping to take him to the Walker museum and sculpture garden and perhaps head up towards Lake Superior for some camping. And of course there's the winters here, which only a crazy person would visit during that time...but he did mention that was his favorite season. All in all, it was fun showing a newbie what the Twin Cities/MN has to offer from someone who sometimes takes it for granted!