"Minneapolis, errr, actually Bloomington " a Minneapolis Travel Page by mapakettle

Every time Ma Kettle and I arrive in this sprawling city, we get lost. We usually always stay at the Sheraton Hotel across from the Mall of America in Bloomington, so you'd think we'd know our way, but no...done this trip half a dozen times, so what does this say about our navigational skills.

Ma Kettle is good with a map too, I'd trust her co-piloting skills anytime, except here. I remember the 'FIRST TIME' we drove into Minneapolis, it was after 11 pm, and rain was falling in sheets, with flashes of lightning guiding us along the busy freeway. Cars were stalled in the left hand lane, victims of deep puddles caused by the downpour.

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unfortunately, she was 'put to sleep' last year

Where is the Days Inn...?

We were attempting to find The Days Inn, a popular, and cheap, hotel chain. We knew nothing about the city, had never even heard about the newly constructed Mall of America, but last minute was told it was located directly across the street from the Days Inn. Thinking that with such a huge landmark to guide us in this strange and new city, we would have no problem. Our map of Minneapolis consisted of a photocopy from the back of a travel magazine. I had intentions of picking up a better one enroute, but... What confidence we had.

Poorly equipped, I must admit. We drove back and forth along this busy throughfare, with no sign of our hotel. It was Sunday nite, but nothing seemed to be open, including gas stations (in a city this size??). Visibility was very poor, and any bright lights tended to flash across our windshield like neon. One wiper blade shuttered and streaked, and it was on the drivers side, as in all good narratives it would be.

We were on our way to Las Vegas, and would be leaving our car in the parking lot for a week, so we were driving our old 1978 Olds Delta 88. This has always been my favourite highway car, but it had been sitting idle in our driveway for a few years, with an occasional start-up and tire check only. My intention was to bring it up to a full restoration point in the near future, and this trip would bring out any flaws that might need attention.

Also, a vehicle of this age wouldn't attract any unnecessary attention from unsavoury customers while sitting in the hotel parking lot for a week.

The point is, this car had a 403 cu. in. motor with four barrel carb, and had a real thirst. Plus, our sunroof was leaking, in fact, the runoff filled up a 'Big Gulp' cup faster than you could drink one.

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our Guardian Angel

Love the Courtesy Van...

After about the fifth time along the same stretch of freeway, we spotted a Days Inn Courtesy Van pulling up along side us. Talk about a miracle, our 'check gas' light was lit, the constant dripping of water through our sunroof was causing bladder worries for both Ma Kettle and myself, and I was totally bushed. Plus, the power window on Ma's side had 'just' stopped working, at half mast no less (after Ma Kettle had dumped the last Big Gulp fill-up).

We followed this van for a few minutes before he turned off, to the sanctuary of a quiet cul-de-sac. What a relief to be off the Freeway!!

Never have I enjoyed the sight of a hotel as much as I enjoyed seeing The Days Inn that night...

We checked in, the room had no heat, and it smelled musty because of the rain, but it still felt like heaven.

I went back outside in the rain, sealed the sunroof with my trusty roll of Duct Tape (always carried it) gave a smack to the door panel to activate the power window mechanism, emptied the 'Big Gulp' cup for the last time, and settled in for the night. Slept like a log.

The following morning, all was bright and sunny, so I went out to our trusty steed, moved it off to an obscure section of the parking lot, opened all the doors and windows, opened the sun roof (after removing the duct tape), and proceeded to let the warmth of the glorious sun perform its healing magic. This was my baby, the car I loved so much, but was really starting to show its age. Fifteen years, and 110,000 miles, but still, it was like family. You don't throw Grandpa away do you?

After breakfast Ma and I decided to find out what all the fuss was about with this new mall. Our charter flight to Las Vegas didn't depart until late that afternoon, so it would give us something to do.

Fortunately, it was directly across the street. Unfortunately, as we walked towards the front door, we saw much evidence of construction still going on, tape affixed across window surfaces, and a general flurry of activity with vehicles parked helter skelter in the entryways.

It was interesting to walk the perimeter of this huge complex. We had never seen a shopping complex this big. Easily the size of a football stadium, but multiplied by six.

We found out later that the mall was due to open one week after our return from Las Vegas.

Disappointing news, but a destination for a future trip was now in the offering...