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!

An Endless Winter

That is what the weather people are calling it.  The Endless Winter.  I am so sick of snow, but we have more in the forecast this week.  Booo!
So my hike didn't happen because of this (it had started a winter mix):

And This:

And of Course the fact that I am a wimp to the cold.  So instead I did this:

It is almost finished now... just finishing up the edges.  Did someone say NERD ALERT!

Next weekend they say it should be back in the 40s, if not the 50s.  So the hike will have to wait until then.

Maybe next winter I will be brave enough, but not this one.  I am more than ready for spring.  

Plans for the first hike

I have decided on my first hike!  I plan on a 2-3 hour hike near St. Anthony Falls.  I am planning on going rain or shine.  The hike I picked provides great views of the falls, the river and the bridge.  I will go this weekend, most likely Saturday or Sunday, and will update once I go!  I am excited!

Hi, I'm New here

I am seriously lacking friends.  Why?  I am a fun, great, social late 20-something.  I should have tons of friends.  But there is one thing - I'm new to the twin cities. 

I am going to explore the cities, and branch out.  I'm going to attempt to get past the Minnesota nice and hopefully make some new friends.  I am going to check out some new comer's clubs, go hiking and explore my new place.  I am also going to work - after all that is what brought me here.  

I am starting this because I am missing my hometown, Cincinnati, and seriously missing spring.  Luckily I am going to Northern Ohio this week for work - I am so excited to see many of my friends and co-workers.

I doubt anyone will read this, so I will instead consider it my own journal - open to the public.  

So Hiking.  I found a book at the library called Take A Hike: Minneapolis & St. Paul.  I am going to try to take many of them by fall, although there are bound to be favorites.  

The first one I want to do (maybe next Sunday?)  will be a hike around St. Anthony Falls.  I will take photos and post them as well.  

That is all for now, I am off.  

-Lindsay