19 July 2012

Hello from Blue Earth County

Long flight yesterday.  Left Houston around 0900, touched down in St Louis around 1100, ate a typical airport lunch, caught the 1230 flight out to MSP.  Landed around 1400, was able to navigate the airport, snatch a car and be on 494 by 1430.  Mankato is about 1 1/2 hours southwest of Minneapolis.  Ran trough a squall line of showers/thinderstorms north of St Peter that was so intense everyone pulled off the road (you couldn't see 20 feet in front of you at times).  My co-worker and I commented that we were glad we were not landing in this or driving in town.  Very nice drive along 169 through the Minnesota countryside.  I wish we had more time to explore some of the backroads and sites. I meant to stop and get a picture by the "Worlds Largest Candy Store" or the various statues of Buffalos (or is it Buffalai?) we saw along the road.  Seriously.  We passed three gianormus statues of buffalo - one was the size of a small truck.  Made it to Mankato in good time despite the rain.  One good thing about the rain,  the temps in Minneapolis were hovering around 88 when we left the airport but it was down to 72 when we got to Mankato.  Nice college town.  Wew had time to kill so we did a quick tour, looked over a place selling old restored cars, did a quick driveby on MSU, spotted where the Vikings training camp would be (alas, not for another two weeks), hit the local restaurant hot spot down town.  Lots of bars/clubs that are geared towards the college crowd, but the places were pretty vacant since school isn't in full session. 

Went out for a nice run this am in the "cooler" temps.  Now I know what you mean, terri about being drenched after your run. 

4 comments:

ShadowRun300 said...

Seems like you're off to a great start. I'd give my right arm to drive through a squall of rain right now. Everything is so thirsty around here.
Running in humidity is a b*tch, isn't it? Hard to breathe and the sweat just sits on you, making it seem like you're working too hard. I'm hoping for some nice runs out in Colorado.
Did you see the Arch from the plane? I waved every few minutes in case you were flying by. Okay, no I didn't, we were too busy... but I did wonder if you could spot us. :)

Abby said...

Glad you made it through the first legs of your trip. Worlds biggest candy store? And what's up with all the Buffalo(es/s/ai?)?

terri said...

169 coming into Mankato is a pretty stretch, isn't it? Guess I'll get to have a closer look at that candy store when Kacey starts school this fall. I'll try to get a pic for ya!

meleah rebeccah said...

Dang! Glad you're halfway there!