So, I had mentioned that my girlfriend and I were planning to go to Stillwater. I know it’s only 30 minutes from St. Paul, but this was my first time there. I never get out of the Metro unless I’m going waaaaay out of the Metro. Like, to other states. Usually on planes.

We got there, checked in, stayed at the Water Street Inn for dinner, then took a little walk through town. Saturday we had brunch and read the paper. Hit a couple of outdoor outfitters. Steered clear of the antique shops. Gaped in horror at the early presence and sheer ugliness of Christmas crap in some of the stores. Headed over to the river and saw the lift bridge (under construction as it was). Wandered through the Jazz & Art Festival.

When I go to art fairs I often waffle back and forth between an unimpressed “I could totally do that” and “Oh my god, this stuff is amazing.” My favorite booth there was Inkblots. When I travel, I like to pick up art that’s representative of the place I’m visiting. Someday (after I leave Minnesota), I would love to hang up one of Giesla’s photo collages of the Twin Cities. Perhaps Uptown Nights or A Walk Around The Lakes.

After that we went for a drive north along the river, up to Taylors Falls, over to Wisconsin, back down to I-94, and back west into town. It was a gorgeous day for a drive, but a little early for fall color.

We stopped in Woodbury to go to the Eddie Bauer outlet. Then we drove around Woodbury looking for something to eat. And I would like to take this opportunity to say that my suspicions and all that I’ve heard about Woodbury are true. It’s a horrible sterile suburban place, just like Maple Grove. All those strip malls and big box stores and not a lick of character. Ugh. Now I can say I’ve been there and can go back to avoiding it.

So Stillwater was cute! Given the nature of B&B prices, I think a day trip here and there would be plenty sufficient for me. I’m probably the last person that lives here to go there, but if there’s anyone else that hasn’t been, at least go so you can say you’ve been.

Related posts:

1. WooHoo, Stillwater Lift Bridge Reopening
2. Stuff to do in Stillwater
3. Minnehaha Falls, aka I’m Thtoopid
4. My First Trip to Pi: It didn’t suck.
5. CompUSA closing all 4 Minnesota Locations