Living like a Tourist

Since Ellie and I moved into our apartment in May, we have hosted more friends and family than the entire previous year in a house seven times the size of our apartment. We had some traveling as far as Portland, Oregon and Santa Barbara, California and the rest from across the midwest. Due to the number of visitors, I've had a chance to play tourist in my own city! I still have a list the size of Texas, but I'll include some snapshots of summer in the Twin Cities:

JENA, MARY, ALI, TALIA, ALLIE, SARAH, & TAYLOR

 Talia and JJ got married this summer. Before we let her walk down the aisle, we had to take her out in style for a bachelorette weekend in the Cities. We hit a number of fun places including Blue Door Pub - Longfellow, bowling and laser tag at Brunswick Zone, Target Field, and the Shout House in downtown Minneapolis. Each event was a predetermined surprise for Talia, and was incredibly successful. The ladies arrived only 1-2 days after moving into our apartment and put up with the boxes and mess! Many thanks to all who helped plan and prepare for the great time that was had, especially to Allie and Taylor!! This group had travelers from Mankato, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul, MN, Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL, and Portland, OR.

COURTNEY, ANNA, & SARAH

Next up to visit were Anna and Courtney! Two friends from college who are teachers in Wisconsin. These two road tripped from Green Bay and Adams-Friendship. It had been far too long since we had gotten together.. literally years. We're not letting that happen again! They made it up during Pride weekend, which I was needed to perform with the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra brass choir and I had them tag along. While I played, they surveyed Loring Park and the Walker Sculpture Garden. Before the left, I made sure to treat them to some of our good eats: Blue Door Pub - Longfellow (I'm addicted, what can I say?), Pat's Tap, and Pizza Luce. On Sunday afternoon we made it to Minnehaha Falls.

BEFORE: ERIN, STEVEN, SARAH, ERICA, EMILY, & MARIE

AFTER: EMILY, ERICA, SARAH, MARIE, STEVEN, & ERIN

Later in July was the next big event, the Twin Cities Color Run 5k! We began planning and recruiting for our team back in February and March; as time went on, the group got bigger and bigger! Erica, Erin, and Steven traveled together from Madison, WI, while Emily arrived from New Ulm, MN, and Marie drove from Duluth, MN. Everyone knew what they were getting into and it was a blast to have everyone participate! Since the running event was on Sunday, we made the most of Saturday by checking out Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and the Walker Sculpture Garden. When Sunday came we were ready with our clean white shirts and temporary 'Happy' tattoos. Despite getting separated during the run, we miraculously found one another during the after party! I've included a few before and after shots for all those who haven't seen the remarkable things a color run does to you!!  
 The additional picture below has a fun little side story, it was taken while Erin, Steven, and I were trying to find Emily, Erica, and Marie. Erica and Emily had their phones with them (read: cameras to catch post-run photos) and we didn't. We had been standing next to this sign when a family who just finished the run asked if we could take a picture for them. I kindly offered yes, but only if she would take a shot of the three of us and text it to me! I knew it was a lot to ask of a stranger on short notice, but I quickly explained that we had separated and weren't sure we would be able to find them. Thankfully, our kind stranger obliged and texted me the shots when she returned to her car! Yay for humanity!

SARAH, STEVEN, & ERIN: LOST

SARAH, SARAH, LIZZI, & ERIN

The last of my scheduled visitors this summer came in this past weekend. Erin came from Madison, WI  and stayed with us at the apartment, while Sarah arrived from Santa Barbara, CA and stayed with her sister in Northeast Minneapolis. The four of us have been besties since (what feels like forever ago) in high school. We had such a fun time catching up and spending the weekend together! Sarah's sister, Jessica, had us on a suggested itinerary which worked wonders for making the most of the cities! For starters, Jessica and Sarah made it to Friday night's Vikings Pre-Season football game. On Saturday, we met at Lake Calhoun for drinks and snacks before heading to the Herkimer for appetizers and HH. Sunday's adventures started at Psycho Suzies and led to the Walker Sculpture Garden, Sebastian Joes and eventually Pizza Luce came into play before the weekend ended. It's never been doubted that we have a fabulous time together when we have the time and opportunity to travel and visit.

LIZZI, THOMAS, SARAH, SARAH, & ERIN: SARAH SANDWICH

We found out late on Friday that we would also have a surprise visit from Sarah (aka. Thomas) Saturday night when she needed a couch to crash on, wouldn't you know we operate our apartment like a couch surfing network!? Thomas was traveling back to Rochester from a Rugby tournament and contacted us. It had been years since most of us had seen Thomas and she happily tagged along on our Sunday outings!

*Disclaimer: From experience this summer, our apartment comfortably sleeps 8-10 depending on flexibility on couches and chairs in addition to air mattresses. Please note there is one bathroom.