Toronto Ontario Canada - The mini-adventure continues

Chose a triangle for my trip while the floors are getting back in shape or being updated for the first time in over 100 years.
Toronto is on my list of places I always feel at home - so always happy to be back on the ground and wandering the streets.  The rain and then the cold and winds arrived with me so a bit more of a challenge - but always met.  Who knew I could shop.
I am always wowed at how many new towers are up every time I arrive - wow.  Most housing but they are tall and everywhere in the central/downtown zone.
And like the USA, Christmas has arrived and I love how Canada so embraces their rustic natural heritage and makes it visually beautiful.

New York NY - quick trip out of the chaos

With lots of chaos at my place decided to see who I could go and hang with for a few days until things get back to normal.
A perfect sunny day in NYC - a comfortable 60s.  The cold and wind is on the way - but got out today.

New York NY - A room with a view

Saint Paul MN - another mess at my house

Had to get a couple floors remanded and decided to just finish off the rest.
Kristijan and Nam had agreed to help move some stuff - we were right on track and then we had to get the sofa bed out of the sunroom and the plan fell apart.
I remember hearing that it was ugly getting it up and in the sun room.  Not sure how they did it considering what we had to do to get it out.  The only option was to go all the way out once we started - and it is not going back in......
The mess should be gone by the weekend.

Saint Paul MN - Mary is back in town

Sue's friend Mary is back for a visit - we usually see her much more frequently but this trip has been long in coming.
Had to get out and see a few sites - so covered Cottage Grove, Hastings, Vermillion, Hastings and spots in between and along the way home before a great dinner.

Minneapolis MN - Gerard back in town

The yearly user conference so many friends and former workmates from around the world were in town for the week.  Lots of great catch ups.
Finished the week with Gerard and a giant cinnamon roll at the French Meadow.

Winona MN - hanging at the Marine Museum in Winona

New art at the Art Museum in Winona - so we had a destination.  Grandma, Greg, Patty and me set out for another adventure.
Grey gloomy day so the hills didn't glow as we drove in but great lunch, lots of side trips and a great gem of an art gallery made for another great day.  A true Minnesota gem.

Saint Paul MN - Wild open practice at Tria

Wild offered up an open practice session today so stopped by since I was already downtown - up close and personal for sure.
And a beautiful day to enjoy the sun and wander home.

Saint Paul MN - Jazz, funk and more evening

Great dinner followed by a night at Vieux Carre for a Seattle group passing through Saint Paul - their first show here.
Sure doesn't feel like Saint Paul once you wander down the stairs and settle in.

Saint Paul MN - Snow Flakes and dinner with the Mac guys

Wow - cool, cool start to the morning.  Too cold for me to remember to get a photo of the walking group the AM.  Hearty group - and we stopped half way at the new Keg and Kase for a warm up, coffee and fabulous donuts.
And later the Mac guys wandered by to hang and have some dinner.  Three more days of classes, tests and who know what and then fall break for 4 days.  And it appears most are off to Chicago for the break.  Lots of conversation and laughs - as always tonight.