So, I left this morning for my new adventure. Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, and Alaska are the targets, the last four states on my agenda so that I can finally cross “all fifty states” off my bucket list. It was an uneventful flight except for the announcement that we were not to open any snacks containing peanuts as there was an individual on board who was allergic. I had no intention of eating peanuts but I was quite surprised to be told that peanut fumes carry throughout an entire plane. Anyway, our meal (no peanuts) was scrumptious–an excellently grilled chicken breast together with a tastily seasoned farro salad. I had a wonderful seat mate who loves travel as much as I do so we traded stories making the three hour trip seem very short.

I flew into MSP (Minneapolis St. Paul airport) and immediately was impressed. Modern airport with loads of restaurants, bars, and stores. I didn’t have any problem finding the baggage carousel but somehow the shuttle desk eluded me for quite some time. I went up the elevator, down the escalator, through the people mover, out to the street. Signs for the correct ground transportation were baffling. It took me a while but eventually, I found the appropriate desk and embarked on a ride through one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever driven through.

The airport sits at the southeastern part of Minneapolis so we were in St. Paul before I even knew it. Built in 1875, Corban Manor Inn sits in the heart of an historic preservation district characterized by its tree-lined brick streets, quaint buildings, small shops, and neighborhood pub/restaurants.  Beautiful room and I was met with a nice cold glass of chardonnay!