How it began

My first memories of Minneapolis date back prior to the completion of Interstate 35, when we traveled up to the area via US highway 169 or 218 from our home in Iowa. Each summer, we went to Twins games in Metropolitan Stadium and then to the family cabin up at Lake Betsy by Kimball. The older I grew, the more frequent my visits to Minneapolis became. When I was in my 20's, I moved to Minnesota. My visits to Minneapolis now could happen in just about an hour, with no advance planning. I love Minneapolis. I cannot say that enough. The culture, the sights, the beauty, the activities, the people, the lakes, the hills, the sports, the concerts, the shopping and even the hospitals. I'll elaborate more on the hospitals in the future.
In December 2005, I left Minnesota for the beaches of Florida to be with my family and assist my elderly parents through this phase of their life. Now, at 3 years gone, I am so homesick for Minnesota - Minneapolis - that I am spending my days reading Minneapolis blogs, newspapers, Cities 97, MPR websites for every bit of Minneapolis I can get. Now I had 85 degrees here today and Minneapolis was in the teen's somewhere, but oh I miss it. I spent the afternoon at the beach, with my bare toes firmly entrenched in the white sand, dreaming of snow. The walks in the skywalk system. The orange glow of the street lights, reflecting off the new snow. The IDS building and Foshay tower. Tonight, I am ending my first blog entry recalling these visions.