Vikings Country!

After months of anticipation, Kent's 40th birthday trip to the see the Vikings play Monday Night Football in the Metrodome was indeed a trip of a lifetime! While the temperatures were quite frigid compared to what we are used to her in Cali--we really were rarely uncomfortable. A good coat, scarf and gloves were all you need. It was actually refreshing and with the Christmas spirit everywhere--it was seasonably fun! Minneapolis had all the charm we could have hoped for. We fell in love the with the city, downtown in particular, and were intrigued by a culture that functions so well amidst the cold. The city is beautiful and has a cozy feel which was accented this time of year by the twinkle of the Christmas decorations and evening Holidazzle parade. Our hotel was an ideal pick. Downtown near the IDS center, where skyways are a key transportation system, by foot. Dozens of buildings connected via skyways which by the end of our four day get-away we had learned to navigate quite well.
Instead of walking blocks outdoors to get to dinner, stores, or light rail--one merely needed to join the quick footed minnesotans and walk the right direction. The light rail system was awesome! We were able to take light rail everywhere as it connects all the way from downtown to the Mall of America, with the airport and Metrodome in-between. The cost? $.50 to $2.50 at peak hours. Much cheaper than a taxi!

The Mall of America was a fun trip, not too crazy considering it was a week before Christmas. Kent and I kept a slow pace and just took it all in. A special surprise for Kent was seeing Carl Eller, a purple people eater (Vikings player) from his childhood days.

Of course the focal point for this whole trip was to fufill a life dream.
Kent did indeed wear his Vikings braids and experience the energy of the Metrodome crowd. We met fabulous people and enjoyed an intense game with it's ups and downs. Actually it was more like downs, and then ups. (The Vikes were not at their best for the first half.) The Moday Night experience could not be beat, and the rivalry between the Vikings and Bears was much more intense than we had anticipated.

There were Bears fans about, Kent even sat next to a Bears fan--a nice one, and everyone was pumped! It was a great game and I will not soon forget the blow of the Viking horns or the first down celebrations!

Though we are a bit exhausted going into the Christmas week, WHAT AN EXPERIENCE WE HAD! I believe with my whole heart that taking a crazy quick trip, to do something one loves, is worth it!