Ah, an off day

Today I had my first full day off in over 2 weeks.  Let me tell you, I am always amazed at the things that I can get done when given a day and a half off.  All the errands that I have let stack up the last two weeks or two, done!  This includes laundry, cleaning, email, and so much more.  I even took an afternoon nap today.  It was great.
In other great news, It was 97 degrees and beautiful!  I kept my windows open and the apartment stayed coolish.  It got just a little warm this afternoon, but nothing too bad.  To me this says that I will be able to leave my air off for most of the summer.  Yeah for saving energy and money!

Spring is Here...I hope

Despite the fact that it snowed earlier in the week, I think spring has finally made it's way to Minnesota.  In addition to the grass getting green, buds are starting to come out on the trees and, wait for  it, flowers are pushing their way up!  I can't wait until they do.
As much as I want to be outside in the great weather, work is calling.
My last off day was last Sunday and I won't get another day off until next Monday.  That is life I guess.  I get all of February off, so I can't really complain about a few REALLY long weeks here and there.  Once the park gets open (in 5 days!)  I will be out for another adventure.  I'm not sure what I will do, but I am sure that it will be outside and in the sunshine!  Until then, I will keep my nose to the grindstone and will look forward to my next day off!

Snow Again

Today is May 3rd, and it snowed again.  I was amazed and disappointed. In a twisted turn of events, and what is sure to be havoc on the sinus system, Sunday is predicting 65 degrees.
Summer cannot come soon enough.  

What does May snow bring?

You know the saying April Showers bring May flowers?  Well I want to know what May snow brings.  Yep, that is right, snow.  We are forecasted to get 1-2 inches overnight.  Yuck.  The good news is that it will be just barley freezing, so it shouldn't stick around long. But what in the heck is up with that?

I guess this is Minnesota.

Great weather, and Not so Great Weather

Here in the Twin  Cities we have had a rough end of winter season.  Let's just say that winter overstayed its welcome by at least 3-4 weeks.
The past week has been great - temps in the 70s, and we even hit 80 degrees over the weekend.  Sunny skies and big white fluffy clouds.  I noticed yesterday that the grass was starting to green up.  Just like that, it seemed to sprout up overnight.  I'm sure buds on trees will not be far behind.
Then came terrible news.  For all of this great weather that we have been having, tonight the temperature is supposed to get down into the low 40s and stay there a while.  Not fun.  I guess I should be happy that it is not freezing temps, at least not during the day, but come on mother nature.
In a funny turn of events, people have been calling the upper 70s hot.  Ha!  I call it perfect.  In my book, 60s are cool, 70s are perfect, 80s are warm and 90s are hot.  I love warm weather!
I am off to work, to get as much done outside as I can today before the rainy 40s make a visit.

Minnehaha Falls

I went for a hike today.  It was just a short one, to Minnehaha Falls.
I started from Minnehaha Park, and walked down the stairs, and walked along the dirt path along the creek. I took a few pictures at the beginning  near the falls, and then forgot about picture taking the further down the path I got.
I had been told that this time of year is the best time of year to see the falls, and it was quite nice.  There was still ice near the falls.  I don't know if there is a name for the ice that builds up, but I would be interested in seeing it grow in the fall as well as seeing it melt now.  I imagine that in a few weeks it will be incredible looking as things green up, but for now we still have blah brown and grey.  The park was super crowded.  I tried to keep as many people out of my pictures, but with the number of people that were there I knew it was going to be hard.
On the way to the falls I saw a historic house that might be fun to check out another time. Apparently the land around the Falls was originally known as Falls Farm, and is the 'birthplace' of Minneapolis.  Interesting.

Here are a few of the photos:

 A mini falls.

This makes me think of Pocahontas... Just around the River-bend.
And saved for last, The Minnehaha Falls:

 Notice all the ice to the right of the falls.  it was pretty.  Some people were climbing on it.  I don't think you are technically allowed to do it and I wasn't going to fall.  But I am sure it was an even better view.

This was my first glimpse of the falls.

Work is heating up, and getting busier.  I'm not sure that I will have time for another hike for a bit, but I am going to try another short one. Perhaps the sculpture garden once everything greens up?

Spring is Finally Here!

Spring is here, and just in time!  It was 72 degrees today, and it was sunny and gorgeous.  Naturally the weather is warming up just in time.  It is getting to be crunch time at work.  So much to do before the season starts!
I am taking Sunday as my day off this week, and I am going for a hike.  I have decided nothing fancy, something super local.  There is a regional trail just a block from my house that I would like to explore.  I think it will be something nice and refreshing that will only take a few hours. Because the season is really getting close, I feel like time is getting to be at a premium now.  I want a walk that I can do without a car, just a few hours of hike/walk.  I think it will do me some good.
I will post pictures after the hike!