Oklahoma weather is tropical compared to MN!!!

So we got back from the trip at about midnight last night...incredible. Pics to follow (when I get home...I'm at the gallery right now).

We left Thursday around 7PM and drove ALL night long...I kept saying "boy I hope it snows!" Well, I learned my lesson...be careful of what you wish for because once we got about halfway through Iowa, it was like driving through a blizzard until we got to the outskirts of Minneapolis! I was freaking out! Cory kept saying "Pull over and let me drive" but I was so nervous that I could not even begin to think about pulling over! And semi trucks kept flying past us at record speeds and leaving us in trails of sludge and snow and all around scariness!

Once we got into Minneapolis at about 7AM, we unloaded all of our stuff (Cory brought SO MUCH stuff!!! it looked like he was moving in!) and we passed out! When we woke up we went to take my uncle to work, and then we went grocery shopping and hung out with my uncle's roomie Jordan. So Jordan is an interesting character! He's a cool dude, about 25ish and works for activision testing video games. We met his friend Adam who's father was the drummer for Prince during Purple Rain and all that great stuff.

So Jordan took us to this bar called the CC Club. Pretty cool little bar, I would call it a hole in the wall but compared to Oklahoma bars it was fairly large. We rode our bikes there. Then after that we rode over to the Independent (another awesome bar!) But Cory was exhausted so we didn't stay too long. Jordan met a girl there, but I don't think he got her number...He should have! She was cute!

So after the Independent we rode home, and on the way home we were running red lights and we got pulled over on our bikes! The cop loved me though because I had bright clothing on and lights on my bike! Jordan and Cory were wearing black coats and had no lights! Anyway we got off with a warning and we continued on the way home.

When we got back we hung out with Jordan a little longer until my Uncle got home and then we went to bed. The next day (which was Friday) we woke up, made breakfast and went on a 30 mile ride (yes...30 miles!) with my friend Ben to Minnihaha Falls! It was the most incredible ride I think I've ever been on! When we got to the Falls, Ben took us on a trail...we had to carry our bikes up and down some crazy stairs and some crazy spots, and mind you...my bike is not the lightest! But I powered through it anyway! So then we found a spot to leave our bikes and went on a hike! Oh it was so beautiful! Ben was showing us all of these spots on our hike where he does tricks on his mountain bike.

After the hike/ride, we hopped the light rail and went back to Lake Street, where we rode to this Somali part of Minneapolis for some Chai and a weird donut-esque food item. Apparantly New York and Minneapolis have competing Somali TV programming! We watched some Somali TV later on that day (Jig Jiga TV! not even kidding!) Bad ass music!

After the ride (which was cold and invigorating and incredible) we went back to the house, chilled for a while, and then went to my Uncles restaraunt Harry's for an incredible dinner! Cory had the Bistro Steak with macaroni and I had crap crusted Mahi Mahi with lobster sauce and mixed vegitables. mmmmm. Everything at my Uncles restaraunt is made from scratch too! No sysco or any of that crap! We also shared a bottle of QuPe, a Syrah. BTW, our meal was totally free and totally delish! Great chill atmosphere too...oh...and the patio had a Botero! I should have taken a photo! here's a little video about the restaraunt (I can even see my uncles friend Benji serving in it!)We then hung out at Harry's after it closed (my Uncle was the closing manager and is now the GM)....okay...apparantly I can't put the video on here....that sucks

Here's a link to their site http://www.harrysfood.com/

So after Harry's, we took Cory home and my uncle and I went out to the 19 bar. I haven't been there in years! And it was awesome because the bar tender remembered me. So we stayed for a couple of shots and a couple of beers and went back to the house where we hung out once again with Jordan! Super fun! We stayed up a little too late though (like...oh...I dunno...6AM!)

Saturday was pretty fun too, woke up, made breakfast, and Cory started on a mural in my Uncles house (we have to go back in December to get it finished! can't wait!) After that Cory and I decided it was time to explore and so we got all warm weather geared up, and hopped on our bikes and rode the Greenway. Did you know Minneapolis is ranked something like number 2 in the nation for bike riding? Oh it's just fantastic. So the Greenway is basically for bikes, skates, and walkers...basically a pedestrian area zone...No motorized vehicles what so ever! Here's a link to the Midtown Greenway site http://www.midtowngreenway.org/

So we rode the Greenway all the way to the Mississippi River (about 5 or 6 miles) and we took lots of pictures of graffiti on the way. Minneapolis isn't very graffiti friendly, but we found some pretty cool stuff. Cory also took pictures of this really cool bridge when you get closer to the river. By the time we got to the river, I was numb! my thighs were numb, my fingers were numb, my face was red! I was wearing gloves, jeans, a warm coat, a scarf, a hat, my helmut, and my scarf was even covering my face!!! It was probably the coldest day while we were there, so we turned around and went back to the house. It was cool because along the Greenway they have tiny stop signs, and we also found a cafe/bike shop! I loved riding the Greenway, it was a lot more chill than the Ben ride...But the Ben ride was my favorite ride!

So after that, we went home where we had a lazy evening...we were so tired. And basically crashed out fairly early.

Sunday was a nice day too! After we made breakfast, I went and rode the Greenway by myself, only this time I went to Lake Calhoun...I'm not quite sure on the mileage on that, but it was a good distance from Lake and 3rd Street. I took some pics of graffiti for Cory, and just kind of enjoyed my solo ride! After that, I went back to the house where Cory was painting. I was supposed to go practice with Minnesota Rollergirls, but I took a nap and didn't wake up until 6 (which was when practice started). There was also a few other things that factored into me not practicing like insurance confusion (I need to find out ahead of time when I visit a league about insurance, because we switched from USARS to something different) And I didn't think about it untill after I left a message for Frau Scientits. I was also exhausted from all of the riding we had been doing!

I think it worked out though because my Uncle said things were crazy downtown due to the Vikings game. Poor Uncle Mike, his first day as General Manager and he has to work a crazy game!

So then, I pretty much just crashed out that night...Cory stayed up painting the wall, and I passed out!

So Monday was our last full day in Minneapolis (so sad). My Uncle and I took the day to ourselves, we went and had lunch at Harry's (mmmm that place is so good). We had Corn Chowder and a steak sandwich (it was new on the menu I think...and I can't remember what it was to save my life...but I know it was delish!) We also went over to the McPhail music School http://www.macphail.org/index_flash.html where I met my Uncles friend. The McPhail building was really cool! I guess it's about 2 years old (?), I know my Uncle said it was fairly new, and it's a contemporary looking building...inside and out.

After that we went to a couple of stores, Bibelot and some other gift store...I was going to buy gifts for people but everything was so expensive and I just didn't have the money for it. We also hit up the Urban Outfitters because they have an Obama For Your Mama t-shirt...but I couldn't find one...I was going to get it for Erin because she has a Pope is Dope shirt! After that we went into this cool vintage store (Ragstock?) everything was SUPER CHEAP!! and everything was SUPER COOL!!!

So after shopping, we got home around 5ish, and it was already dark outside. It gets dark around 4PM there! We had reservations at Fogo De Chao for 8:30, so we hung out around the house. Cory baked cookies...and proceded to eat the entire plate of cookies! Along with a grilled cheese sandwich...and he tried to make pop corn but I stopped him! We kept telling him that Fogo was going to be extremely filling! His response was "I'm ready...I eat like a horse!"

So Jordan, Cory, Uncle Mike, and I drove to Fogo around 8, had a few cocktails while we waited for Robert. Then we sat down at our table...

...Now for those of you who have never heard of Fogo De Chao, let me tell you...INCREDIBLE! If you're a vegitarian, forget it! Don't go unless you're just wanted to spend a good 35 bucks on salad bar alone! Go to this site and read about Fogo for a second! http://www.fogodechao.com/locations/minneapolis.htm

Basically, each person has a disk next to their plate. One side is green, the other red. When you flip the disk to green, the Gauchos start bringing these giant scewers of meat to you and they shave some off onto your plate. Now the meat that they shave off onto your plate is a small portion, but don't be alarmed or confused, if you don't flip your disk back over to red, they will keep coming! You will get sick full! Jordan had his disk on green the whole time and was confused on why the gauchos kept coming over to him and bringing him more meat! It was pretty funny. They also have a gourmet salad bar with gourmet cheeses, smoked salmon, fresh crisp vegis...everything. But the meat is incredible. They roast the meat over an open fire...you can see it through the window. Here's a list of the meats that we had!beef ancho-prime part of rib eye

picanha- sirlion

filet mignon- with and without bacon

Alcatra- top sirloin, very tenter full of flavor

Fraldinha- bottom sirloin

Costela-beef ribs

Cordeiro- lamb

Costela De Porco- pork chops

Frango- chicken drumsticks and sausage

My favorite was the Alcatra....I got everything medium! mmmm....I love food!

After Fogo we went over to Nick and Eddies where Ben was working and had a few drinks. The owner got me a birthday drink. Nick and Eddies is a cool bar, played great music and Lori Barberos from Babes in Toyland apparantly works there (Not sure on that one...I will check). We met her there last time I was up there with Erin and my sister. Oh...Nick and Eddies has the best cookies too! and they have 278 speakers built into the walls for an awesome bad ass sound system (yes...Cory counted all of the speakers!) http://www.nickandeddie.com/

So after that, it was bed time. Ben came over to my Uncles after he got off work at the bar, we hung out for a little while, but I passed out on the couch while the guys stayed up and chatted. We woke up the next morning and packed up our stuff and began the 12 hour drive home...I was very sad to leave. I want to live there so bad. It just feels so right to me!

So like I said before, pics to follow...when I get around to uploading (hopefully tonight)

Erin just walked into the gallery so I'm going to stop blogging for now! I'm sure I will remember more as the day passes!