Up for a 3:00 AM adventure? Mickey's Diner in Saint Paul, MN. is the place to go

Featured on the Food Network and even Rachel Ray's Tasty Travel is what's advertised.  Husband's on night shift therefore so am I.  What to do at three in the morning but go get some eggs and coffee.  Driving downtown Saint Paul, MN. early in the morning is nice, no traffic!  Entering the diner which resembles an old railroad dining car was quite the experience, then again I did arrive when all the drunks are trying to drown their hangovers away with coffee and greasy food. A bit of an interesting crowd especially the one man beside me that kept passing out in his food.  The waitress was absolutely sweet, the food mediocre (still confused why it was featured on any network, maybe I didn't get the special or maybe it was just to early in the morning for anyone to give a damn), the experience fun, and I will  most likely end up going again.  Can't complain.

Mickey's Diner, St. Paul, MN.

Whats this hidden jewel

The day after exploring Tamarack Nature Preserve, I browsed the Internet to see what other parks surround the Woodbury, MN area.  Perhaps one that didn't involve me trudging through the mud and snow getting my feet wet. I haven't packed any hiking boots, which if I'm living here for a couple months I should go and invest in soon as the weather here isn't going to warm up any time soon (snow storm arriving tomorrow...). Carver Lake Park is a quaint little area with paved paths (yeah for me! No wet feet!) and a cool little lake with an awesome beach, which I'm sure is kick ass in the summer time, but quite frozen this time of year (April).  The natives walking about were quite friendly and welcoming and I swear, not shitting you, one of the guys I kept walking pass yesterday works at the Starbucks in Tamarack strip mall.  I could be wrong, but I keep glancing his way as I'm typing and, well, I'm quite positive that's him (sorry just a little distracted).  Anyways, I visited Carver Lake Park a second time because it's such a nice escape from the suburbs and I love to get close to nature as I can.  Next adventure Afton State Park in Hastings, MN (only about 5 min. from Woodbury).

Because Nature is My Sanctuary

Whenever traveling, no matter where, no matter how far, I find the hidden jewel.  Glitz, glamour, high end shopping, four star clubs, super expensive restaurants, the hustle and bustle of traffic, are all overrated.  To me anyways, then again I don't recall ever going to a four star club, but come on I'm a married thirty four year old woman, I think I'm a little old for that kind of crap (unless of course I go cougar hunting.  Rarrrr). Exploring the Town of Woodbury has been a lot more interesting than what I have expected as I've already came across a couple areas to escape your typical suburbian "My Coach purse is not a knock off and I payed full retail" environment.  That would explain your typical natives of this county at-least from what I've personally observed. I call them natives instead of locals, because honestly each area I've traveled to has been like exploring a new country. You can tell in the difference in behavior, customs, driving style, and even the slight change of dialog. Anyways, I'm not at all criticizing the locals, as they are quite friendly, except for a few "eww" behaviors, but hell, you get that anywhere you go.

Back to nature!
These pictures are from Tamarack Nature Preserve, Woodbury, MN.  From what I explored it's mostly marsh land, which most likely means you don't want to explore in the summer else get attacked by mosquito's, but it's fine this March because even though it is Spring the weather is still cooler than usual and yes there is snow on the ground.

Stay tuned as I take you along my  next adventure === Carver Lake Park!

Namaste

Pack your bags and lets leave in 5...4...3...2...1

"I got a call for a job, we are leaving in a week".  That is usually the heads up I get from my husband when I know it's time to book lodging, pack, and let our animal babysitter know it's time she gets to work  (we have three  terrier dogs and two leichi geckos (google it sometime, they're Huge!.. And can you have a parenthesis inside a parenthesis? You'll have to bare with me my grammar really sucks, and I ramble!)). Anyways, I should probably tell you a little bit about my husband, not a lot though, because that will make him upset, and nothings worse than an upset husband (he's really private, which I guess is hard for him since I tell everyone everything. I've gotten better over the years, but with "Facebook" around I find myself slipping sometimes).  So What does your husband do for a living (the most famous American greeting)?  He's a union pipe-fitter and travels for his career. He likes to hunt down the Nuclear Power Plants or Oil Refineries. I know, I know, not very environmentally cool.  However, and this is coming from a Hippie, environmentally friendly person herself, I did find out Nuclear Plants are a lot more earth friendly than Coal Plants.

 I'm kind of bummed I haven't started the blog when we first started, which has been five years ago, but I figure I see all these "cool" trendy people typing away at "Starbucks" so what the hell bitches.. I'm blogging! I mean I want to fit in and make myself look like I'm something important, right?  Wrong!  Actually I'm inside my hotel, sitting in my underwear and drinking Seattle's Best coffee, not bad, comfortable at least. However, stomach is turning so I'll probably head out to get something to eat after this. Our "home base" is in MI.  Born and raised baby!  Rust belt heaven, great sports, crazy drivers, and fun people.. I have to represent the D (for those of whom don't know that stands for Detroit)!  I'm in Minnesota right now in Woodbury, 10 min. away from St. Paul and approximately 27 min. away from Minneapolis (don't ask how I know that approximately, because it's a long story!!!) Anyways, I'm allowing you to follow me as I travel.   I will review restaurants, hotels, nightlife, wildlife, shopping, the natives, and surrounding cities.  Maybe this information will give someone a little insight if they want to travel to the area, or maybe you do the same kind of work as my husband , or maybe your a wife/husband of a husband/wife that does the same thing (if you are hit me up, because if we happen to land in the same place at the same time it would be nice to go do all this stuff with someone else).  Whatever reason it may be I welcome you to my life and my experiences as I go along. Well I'm going to put my pants on now and get something to eat.

Namaste