Frozen lakes and other firsts!

Even though seeing snow is no longer new to me, no matter what I do, I don't see it often enough that it still fascinates me. So when a trip to one of the states up North, Minnesota, came up, I was both excited and anxious. Anxious because I've never really had to drive in snow.

Since I knew I was not really going there as a tourist, I grabbed whatever warm clothes I had with the exception of hats and gloves. Unfortunately, the pull of new and cold things was difficult to resist and I ended up exploring any way I can as soon as work finished.

Frozen lakes and ice fishing
Ice fishing wasn't entirely new to me thanks to the internet and friends around the globe. But to actually learn more about it and see it for myself, it was a new thing I had to wrap my head around in. Apparently, the locals there are not big on football (regardless that the Superbowl was coming up that weekend and that they will be hosting it the following year). Ice fishing and fishing in general made up for the small talk besides the weather and the news about visa regulations on tech companies. They actually held events for ice fishing contests and people drove their trucks on ice. I couldn't pass up the chance not to try "walking on a lake" just because.

I ventured and ended up in this quaint little square at Excelsior and it was actually pretty nice if you ask me. There's not much to do but when you are on a business trip, it would do.

Walked to where the lake was to find folks actually ice fishing with trucks just zooming past. There was even someone playing catch with their dog on the lake itself. Sidenote: why you would want to stay out in the cold for long periods of time I don't know. They supposedly would have some outhouses nearby so they can warm up a little.

The nice and pretty lake from the docks. I imagine that during the summer they would have some cruise tours here that would take you around Lake Minnetonka. One of the locals mentioned that there some nice houses along the lakeside to add to the "scenery". Unfortunately, not having gloves was a terrible idea when the weather drops to 14 and I had to keep reminding myself that this was in fahrenheit and not celsius. I can only hold up the phone to take pictures and videos for so long. I thought my hands would become brittle from the cold it would start to break. I'm glad for the comfort and warmth of the gourmet pizza place a short walk away from this lake, Olive's. I don't normally drink especially when I'm out on business travel, but after than cold, a taste of the local beer felt really nice (and the brewery was just behind it).

Since, walking on the lake was a failure, I decided to skip Prince's home which was supposedly available for touring on certain days. I was not much of a Prince fan, so I was surprised to learn that the building on the hi-way I've been driving past several evenings since I came which was always lit purple was actually Paisley Park. Nope, I didn't make any connections at all. So instead, I dropped by one of the other closer lakes, Lake Ann, and saw some folks actually cutting up holes on the lake in preparation for the ice fishing event the following day.

I managed to take plenty of pictures though I wished I brought my gopro with me. Now, the adventure didn't end there however. In my quest to avoid frozen hands, I decided to:
1. Leave the car engine running
2. Leave the keys and my purse inside
3. Leave the door unlocked.

Well, I thought it was noon and no one was really around the area. I didn't take I'd take that long to walk a little trail and then snap a few more pictures. But then, on heading back, a police officer was walking up to me, asking me if it was my car I left out there. Oh boy! Luckily it was still there and the explanation was made short by saying I'm from a Southern State. I was not in trouble after all. He was just concerned that while there are not many crimes in the area, anyone could have still walked up and driven the car with all my belongings away (yes, including my wallet etc.). So after confirming that the rental was indeed mine and I was back on my way to leave Minnesota. Of course, he had to tell me that my rental being one of those keyless engine type ones, I could have easily just taken the keys with me leaving the car locked and running. Ha! Sorry, I came from the islands and that kind of technology hasn't caught up with me.

Thank you Minnesota! I survived and you were fun!