Day 1: Friday, February 18, 2005
A shopping trip to Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota with granddaughter and daughter-in-law.
I drove my Saturn LS to Nashville, Tennessee where we stopped and spent the night at a Red Roof Inn.
We stopped for dinner at Subway in Loretta, Tennessee, on our way to Nashville.
I ordered a Turkey Sandwich and water to drink.
Day 2: Saturday, February 19, 2005
The next morning we loaded the LS Saturn and headed to Nashville Airport.
Our flight was leaving Nashville, TN at 7:45 a.m., arriving in Minneapolis Minnesota at 10:15 A.M.
On the plane, we were served snacks; I ordered a Diet Coke and a granola bar.
When we arrived at the Saint Paul International Airport, we went to a kiosk machine
Where we entered our hotel confirmation number, this was to let the hotel know that we had arrived.
A shuttle van was sent to the airport to pick up passengers who were staying in their hotel.
We arrived at Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America, the driver unloaded our bags, and we tipped him.
Sitting on the counter was a large cookie jar filled with freshly baked cookies.
I ate four!
The room we were staying in was not ready, so the desk clerk at the hotel said; we could store our luggage in a closet.
We walked next door to eat lunch at T.G.I Fridays. (There was a door connected Fridays to Comfort Inn)
I ordered a half-sandwich, a salad, and water.
After eating lunch we walked back to the hotel, took our luggage upstairs, and changed clothes.
We took the shuttle van to Mall of America where we shopped all day.
My daughter-in-law bought my granddaughter several new items of clothing.
I went to the Franklin Planner store where I bought, for my Franklin Planner, some paper, a hole punch, and some picture sheets.
I ordered shrimp with garlic bread.
We looked around in “Bubba Gump’s” gift shop we did not buy anything.
One of the cool things about Bubba Gumps is on every table you see car tags. The tags say:
“Stop Forrest Stop” or “Run Forrest Run”!
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| “Stop Forrest Stop” |
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| “Run Forrest Run” |
The stop tag means you want to be waited on. The run tag means I am fine, I do not need to be waited on!
For dessert, we ordered a vanilla ice cream cone from McDonald's.
We took the shuttle van back to the hotel; and thanked the driver with a tip.
We walk upstairs to put on our swimsuits and head for the pool and the hot tub.
Day 3: Sunday, February 20, 2005
I am an early riser, so early the next morning when I awoke, I looked outside it had SNOWED!
I shook my granddaughter and said wake up!
There was about a foot of new snow that had fallen on the ground. We both put on warm clothes and headed downstairs.
We walked outside into the new-fallen snow and began making snowballs and throwing them at each other.
I took a few pictures and we walked back inside, where both my granddaughter and I ate breakfast
I ate oats, bananas, and water.
We took the elevator back upstairs, took a shower, and then walked in the snow to the mall.
My daily routine is to walk two miles every day.
The mall is open for walkers, not shoppers this time of the morning.
It was cool walking around without crowds of people shopping.
The only people that were in the mall were walkers and cleaners.
The two upper levels were closed off to walkers
My daughter-in-law, slept late that morning.
She met us at the merry-go-round at 10:00 A.M.
For lunch, we ate at Subway and bought an ice cream cone at McDonald's.
We ordered a pizza, with potato poppers, cokes, and cookies at Tucci Benucch Italian Restaurant Tropical.
I bought Hubby a pair of glow-in-the-dark shorts and a keychain.
I bought myself a pair of monkey PJs, also two stuffed animals a Lion, and a leopard.
I also bought a Mall of America tee shirt for myself.
At the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park Mall of America, we bought all-day tickets.
Some of the rides we rode were the ferry’s wheel, the Log Chute, the Sponge Bob simulator, Ripsaw Roller Coaster, and we walked through the haunted house. Later that day I called my son.
Day 4: Monday, February 21, 2007
For breakfast, I ate oats, toast with peanut butter, a pack of M&M, and drank a diet Coke.
I worked out in the weight room, on four of the machines, and rode a bicycle for ten minutes.
I walked back to our room and packed.
We are going home today.
We took the shuttle van back to St Paul International Airport, checked in, went through security, and headed for our departure gate.
My daughter-in-law and my granddaughter ate breakfast at McDonald's.
I sat at seat 13-B on flight NW1174, our departure time was 10:24 a.m., and our arrival time in Nashville was 12:25 p.m.
I sat next to Chad Anderson on the plane.
We struck up a conversation and he told me that he was going to the 3-M plant in Decatur, Alabama.
He said, my daughter is getting married in Hawaii and I will join her there.
He said it takes at least ten days to vacation in Hawaii.
I told Mr. Anderson about Hubby and my love for history and genealogy.
Our landing was smooth; everyone grabbed his or her luggage.
I told Mr. Anderson goodbye and we all embarked on the plane.
Each person was going in different directions.
I had parked my LS Saturn in the pay garage. We loaded our luggage into my car and headed to Alabama.
We stopped in Cool Springs at a McDonald's where I ordered a grilled McChicken and water to drink.
I drove through Columbia, Tennessee at 3:30 p.m.
I took my daughter-in-law and granddaughter home.
When I got home, I ate a half peanut butter sandwich, half a bag of popcorn, an ice cream sandwich, and two grapes.
On the plane, I had eaten a bag of pretzels and drank a cup of Diet Pepsi.
Hubby was not home from work yet, so I checked my email.
That night I was so tired that I slept like a log.
Another adventure, and many other adventures to come!
While in Mall of America, I took a picture of Shakyamuni Buddha Mandala Indian Art.
A little history of the Image:
Before they begin making the Mandala they hold an opening ceremony with chants, music, and mantra recitation.
Part of the sand is given to the public.
Dispersing the blessed sand gives people a remembrance of the occasion and it spreads the blessing. Then it becomes a global healing.
The monks’ tour, known as the Mystical Arts of Tibet, seeks to raise money for food, education, and medical help for Tibetans.
February 18-21 2005 Trip to Minneapolis Minnesota
Flight NWA 0121577694267 – 4MD7BW
Leave Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 7:45 A.M,
Arrive (MSP) Minneapolis St Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 10:15 A.M.
Return flight seat 13B on flight NW 1174
Leave Minneapolis St Paul International Airport (MSP) at 10:24 A.M.
Arrive at Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 12:25 P.M.
