A Living Magazine - Day 100 - Back in the Midwest? You betcha!

I had only slept for about three hours (I was again lagging by one hour), when I opened my eyes and saw a tiny patch of orange light flickering on the seat...

The sunlight didn't last long as our nearest star rose past the treeline and hid shyly behind a thickening cloud cover...

I felt an emotion that hadn't run through me since I passed from Connecticut into Pennsylvania, way back on the last journey. It was the sensation of actually getting somewhere. Walking between towns never really achieves that for me, until I take stock. But, this train ride had put a lot of real estate between me and the Pacific ocean (nearly 2,000 miles!).

We were in Minnesota and speeding toward the St. Paul-Minneapolis station. Because of several delays (waiting for freight trains back in Montana and North Dakota), we were a good two hours late. My friend Allyson was being subjected to the Amtrak waiting area. This had happened to a few of my friends in the last year. It is just the way train travel works.

Finally, we crept through the city of St. Paul until we squeaked to a stop, under the gray sky. I detrained, thanked as many employees as I could for their care and generosity, and made my way up to the gate, where Allyson, my very long-time friend from the high school and college days--and my host here, greeted me.

The Empire Builder and Union Station in St. Paul.

It was like no time had gone by. She and I had once worked together at a Mailboxes, Etc., back in Falmouth, Maine, which is really how we got to know each other so well. If there were two people who could get each other laughing so hard that whatever we were drinking would come out of our noses--it was us.

She filled me in on a little history about the twin cities. We drove past the new stadium construction and all the towering glass and steel buildings of downtown Minneapolis. And, we discussed the bus system. It was so early in the day, and I had gotten much better sleep then I had anticipated on the train, that I was ready for a trip into the city later that day.

We arrived at her place in Plymouth, one of the satellite towns west and slightly north of Minneapolis. When we entered the doorway I heard two little barkers--her Chihuahua's, Peppy and Bella. They were seriously cute little girls, but they (understandably) took a while to get to know me. I tried to be as attentive as I could to little Bella, who was especially expressive.

Allyson and I got to just relax out on her patio for a couple of minute. I met her husband too, and the three of us had a great conversation outside. They had a vet appointment for her cat at 12:30 pm, and showed me where everything was located in the house, so I could take a shower and find my way around...

The view from Allyson's patio.

They left with the cat. I shaved and took a shower, then headed down the street to find a bus stop. After getting a coffee at Burger King and checking the bus schedule online (they have AC outlets in the restaurants here!), I simply had to walk across the street to the Cub (a Shaw's affiliate) grocery store and waited for Bus 717. When it arrived I asked the driver the best way to get into the city. She said I should get off at the Robbinsdale bus station and then take Bus 14 into Minneapolis. 

I took my transfer pass and rode to the Robbinsdale stop. There, I found two Bus 14's. One was a C and the other a D. I asked one of the drivers if he went into the city. He informed me that all of the 14's go into the city and back there to Robbinsdale. Perfect... 

I pulled the "stop request" cord when I was in the middle of as many tall building as possible (turned out being 7th Street and Nicolette Mall). I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to post that day, so I just shifted myself into photo-gear...

This "Nice Ride" system is cool. Had I six dollars to rub together, I would give it a try.

I found a lot of interesting sites on Nicolette Mall.

I did not have a heck of a lot of time. I wanted to be back at 6:00 pm to hang out with my hosts. However, I noticed that a "rush hour" fee applied on the buses between 3:00 and 6:30. I didn't want to pay the extra, and I knew Allyson would understand if I was late.

I walked to the Washington and 4th Street bus stop, since I still had time left on my transfer and took one of the 14's back to Robbinsdale. I have no idea why the transit building there says "Hubbard Marketplace"? It is absolutely empty except for one lonely soda machine...

I waited until the bus (717 again) that came directly after 6:30 arrived, then rode back to the Cub grocery store and walked to Allyson's...

These are painted all along Plymouth's sidewalks.

We had some adult beverages and another entertaining conversation, before all heading to bed. I got a super-soft couch to sleep on, with a big puffy pillow and an great comforter. No more sleeping bag for a while. Allyson had washed my clothes along with her stuff, too. So, things were actually organized and settled for the first time in 100 days.

For the record, it had been exactly as many days as the Manifest Destiny journey had taken. Somehow, I had made up for some of the long stays in Redding, Salem, Portland and Spokane by going straight through on the train. It was the right move. Distance wise, I was about halfway through this journey. But I only had 80 days now to get down to Florida.

I love re-grouping. It is not only refreshing and necessary, but allows me to process what has already passed by. I fell asleep imagining what kind of adventures were still to come.