Hometown Tourism

Well, now that the Olympics are over, it's time for spring! It is a little warmer here these days. So, the snow is melting off the roofs into charming little ice hills that are sure to stick around to June. I'm really starting to think about fun little adventures that will happen when the weather is warmer. I can't wait to find more hidden gems like Minneopa Falls.

 

I love to travel, I love to see new things, and I love to get lost. Unfortunately, I can't travel every weekend of my life like I would want to. Instead, when I was in high school, I developed something I like to call hometown tourism. I used to do it mostly by myself on that odd quiet Sunday. I still do, but it's also nice to have someone to accompany me on these adventures, and I'm pretty sure he enjoys it as much as I do. 

This shot is from last fall when we ventured out of Mankato (where I briefly lived for 3 months), to the lovely town of New Ulm, Minnesota. As you might be able to tell by the name, the town is traditionally German. It is also the home of Schell's Brewery, and awesome old school German restaurants. This one was a good adventure, I hope to head back there this summer and check out more of the town. 

 

This last shot is of one of my favorite hometown destinations, Minnehaha Falls. This beautiful park is a quite nature oasis right in the middle of the city. It's often packed with day trippers, but if you descend toward the falls, a labyrinth of lightly traveled trails await the curious. 

One of the first Rochester adventures Joe and I went on was up the hill to see the Assisi Heights Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis. This place was such a welcome surprise in Rochester. It sits atop a large hill, and is modeled after the Church of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy. Its surrounded by lovely walking parks and grass perfect for staring up at the sky on a warm Saturday afternoon.  It reminds me of my time in Italy on study abroad, and the small adventures we had everyday.

 

Well, in these last days of winter, when the Olympics are sadly over and the cabin fever is at its pitch, I'm prepping for my hometown adventures. I'm hoping some of these adventures will give me inspiration for the blog, along with some great photo ops. In the mean time, we're heading to Miami next weekend for some out of town adventures!