Calgary, CA
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| Hot Pinball Action! |
Our Last Packing Day This Year
Today we are in Calgary and packing our stuff up like we do about every month, but that's all about to end, for now. Tomorrow we head south back to the states (as they all call it here in Canada) with a stop in Glacier National Park for some camping, a stop in Great Falls MT for a tiki/Mermaid Bar, a stop in Downstream State Park Nashua, MT because it's on the way, and a stop in Bismarck ND because it's on the way and it's the capital of North Dakota. This road trip will get us new counties, a new tiki bar, a new state capital, and some new sights on our way to our next big adventure.
What's Next?
Our ultimate destination for this trip is Minneapolis, MN! We have an apartment there for a YEAR! I know crazy right?
We have been thinking about taking a year to settle in and enjoy community, our own bed and kitchen, and really experience someplace new and we found our apartment while we were in Victoria, signed the lease, and had our PODs container shipped to the PODs facility right outside of Minneapolis. We arrive on Saturday and unload our container on Monday which is only a week from now. We are both very excited about this new adventure.
Why Minneapolis?
So why Minneapolis you ask. That's a good question and we have many reasons. Here are some reasons in no particular order.
This is the Pinball Map for the greater Twin Cities area. Each one of those circles is a venue with a pinball machine.
#1 Tons of Pinball and Tons of Tournaments.
The pinball community is strong in the Twin Cities area and beyond. Minnesota just became a Super State which means that there are more tournaments here than the average state. It's also close to other great pinball communities within a days drive so I will be able to play pinball as often as I want. I will be able to walk to LITT Pinball Bar. They open at 11am every day and currently have 47 machines. I can also walk to Caffetto Coffee Bar. They open at 6am every day and have 17 machines. It will be a lot of fun to be a part of a community for more than a month.
#2 The November Election
We haven't voted the past 2 years and it is eating at us a bit. Democracy is so important so we are making sure we are settled in time to vote in the November election.
#3 A New Vibe and Culture
Minneapolis is a part of The Midwest and I have only lived on The West Coast. There are things in Minnesota that I have never heard of like Pizza Farms. Yea, that's a thing. It's a farm you go to and they cook you pizza and you eat it on their farm. It's also a great music city. When the weather warms up free music pops up all over the area. There are jazz clubs, concert venues, live theater, and The Minnesota Orchestra.
#4 Camping
Minnesota is home to more than 70 State Parks. That's quite a few but there is also National Forests to explore. It also borders Wisconsin which has 50 State parks you can camp at. There will be a lot of opportunity to road trip and camp during the spring, summer, and fall and even the winter if we are feeling adventurous.
#5 Winter Activities
Minnesota is known for its harsh winters but it is also known for its winter activities. We will be able to ice skate on lakes, visit snow parks, visit snow festivals, and enjoy all of the things that actual winters provide. And, when it is super duper cold and the weather is miserable, we will be able to stay home. When you are retired, you don't have to leave your apartment when it makes sense to stay home.
#6 Plenty of Lakes and Trails to Explore
Minnesota is The Land of 10,000 Lakes and that is rounding down. Our apartment is close to a series of lakes with bike trails. There will be plenty of opportunities for long walks and bike rides without taking the van out of the garage. We plan on buying used bikes when we arrive so that we can take advantage of the extensive bike infrastructure in the area and the organized community rides.
#7 Our Own Space
We will have our own space for the first time in 2 years. We plan on buying a few pinball machines, upgrade some of our cooking implements, and enjoy our own bed, shower, and kitchen for a year.
We have chosen a high rise apartment building near downtown with a heated parking garage and an indoor dog area for Francis. We know we are new to the whole harsh winter thing so we are doing what we can to make it easy for us. We won't have to dig our car out of the snow, shovel sidewalks, plug in our car so it will start in the morning, or even go outside when it is cold. Our apartment connects directly to the Minneapolis Skyway system where we can walk, shop, and eat.
The Adventure Continues
We are still going to stay very busy. Our goal is to keep as active as we have been on the road. I am sure we won't run out of things to do. I will still be updating this blog to keep you posted on our life in Minnesota and The Mid West. There will still be more foodie adventures, more pinball tournaments, pinball road trips, camping adventures, museums, and sporting events. All of the things we like to do. We will also find more opportunities to use "You Betcha".
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| A selfie with one of the Dala horses in The US. This one is in Mora, MN. |
That's it for today. Check back in a week or so when we show off our new apartment. If you missed, This and That in Calgary, check it out and check back nest week-ish.
