Exploring Southern Minnesota

I love to travel and go on little adventures. You probably remember me telling you about the Protagitron's and my awesome trip to Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe in Seattle, Washington. It was incredible. I love doing things like that.

On a teacher's salary, however, and the fact that I work 60 hour weeks (usually, sometimes a little less, oftentimes a lot more) while only getting paid for 40 of those hours, it can be difficult to find the funds and time for the kind of grand adventures I have envisioned. So, I have decided to still go on adventures, but to make the most of my summer by exploring what I have right here.

What I have right here is Southeastern Minnesota*, and it turns out there is quite a bit to do here.

1. Mystery Cave, Forrestville
2. Niagra Cave, Harmony
3. Downtown Lanseboro
4. Mayowood Mansion, Rochester
5. Zollman Zoo and Oxbow Park,  Byron
6. Trout Run, Fillmore County
7. Spam Museum, Austin
8. Honkers game, Rochester (I can see them from my yard!)
9. Roosters game, Rochester

 There's of course more I would like to see, but I only have two months, and I will be working full time, so I feel like this is already pretty ambitious. I will be going to one of the caves first. With that decision made, I just need to pick a date, time, and someone willing to drive out to go into a cave. Caves are cool, right?

As a reminder, don't forget to go to the Disney website and take this quiz so that you can participate in my survey!

*I already wrote about this a while back, but hadn't done as much research then. Now I know what I want to do, and I will make it happen.

Another Edition of My Apartment Newspaper

The following are headlines from Friday-Sunday's editions of the fake, non-existant newspaper published by and about my apartment residents (me and Squeaky):


Last Night of Booty Burning Boot Camp Success
Did Not Die as Anticipated

Tennis Lessons Continue
McDougalhopper Still Hasn't Hit Self in Face

Snow Almost Gone
Mud Prevails

Gorgeous Weather!
Apartment Windows Open for First Time in Months!

"Scrabble Sentence Game for Juniors" Competition
Out-of-Town Contestant Wins 98-83

Mac's Cafe Delights Yet Again
Never Enough Brown Sugar Butter

Temperature Rising
Allows for Slightly Windy Walk


"Merchant of Venice" Movie Review
Spoiler: No One Dies

Working on a Sunday
Not a Lot Done

New Runner for Top of Piano
It Has Birds!

Cafe Presto Exploration
Tea and Onion Rings

"Scrabble Sentence Game for Juniors" Revisited
Ivy Against Other Ivy


Mutter Paneer and Couscous Served For Dinner
You Know You're Jealous

Weekend Headlines

So much to tell you! There is no way I can do it justice! Instead of writing paragraphs and paragraphs about my awesome weekend (full of further successes), I am going to mix it up and give you headlines, as if my apartment were its own city and had its own small town newspaper.

Dinner at Mac’s Diner Success:

Onion Rings Consumed in Skyway System

Rick Springfield Concert Awesome!

Not at all lame!

Scandal! Rick Springfield Drunk?

21 minute rendition of “Don’t Talk to Strangers” raises eyebrows

Mac’s Makes Marvelous Pancakes

Premier of the New Living Room Rug!

Cat seems to enjoy it

Exorbitant Spending:

Trader Joe’s and iTunes drain income

Invitation to Super Bowl Party surprises and delights!

Super Bowl Party Fun:

Beer Boiled Brats served!

Packers Victorious Super Bowl XLV

Residents have mixed feelings

Now take the Hot Chocolate survey! Quick! Before time runs out!