The State Of Hockey

For those of you who have lived in a few different states, but refer to one as "home" know what I mean when I say Minnesota will always be "home" I get gitty when I approach the Twin Cities. However, this trip tried it's best to defer those happy feelings.

Not even 20 minutes into the trip, I was getting pulled over...by the cops? No, by the Game Fish and Parks. I was puzzled - did I forget to renew my trout stamp? He approaches the car and says the reason he pulled me over was because I was driving erratically. That was when my son (who like his mother doesn't know when to keep the mouth closed) pipes up and says "she was speeding to". He took my license and ran it in the computer system. I was getting pretty annoyed so I called a fellow law enforcement buddy and asked "what can a GF&P guy do to me - they have as much authority as mall cops, right" My friend informed me that they have quite allot of authority - more than the "regular police" and it would be in my best interest to just sit down and shut-up" So, when he came back to my car and had me do a field sobriety test, I was more than cooperative. He let us go with a warning.

Two hours later I was pulled over by the Minnesota Hwy Patrol for passing on the right - he wasn't as friendly. Instead of a warning, he handed me $140 citation to help me remember.

So as we approached my cousin's home, I pulled out the directions my cousin Heather gave me that would lead me to their new home. The moved to a rural area of the Twin Cities - a beautiful quint essential Minnesota territory.....that really doesn't have street signs. As I pulled out the map, Alex sets his DS downs and says "Mom, is that a map?" I replied "Yes, Dave and Heather moved to a different home so these are directions to that home" Alex turns his head to glance out the window with a desperate look and mutters "Oh, Great"

After having to turn around a few times, we finally arrived!!! Here is a picture of Alex with my cousin Dave and his wife, Heather - who is only the most wonderful friend I've ever had!!



The reason for the trip wasn't only to see Dave & Heather, but a friend of mine is a talent scoot for the Minnesota Wild and hooked us up with some great tickets for Sunday's game against Edmonton.









(we had WAY to much fun with the foam claw - the people around us thought we were crazy I'm sure)

I love hockey and this game was an exciting one to watch!! Minnesota Goal...



The game was decided with an exciting shoot-out and.....WILD WON!



After the game, my friend took Alex to the locker room area to see the players and the behind the scenes look. Sorry, no pictures which I was disappointed with because those hockey guys are sexy machines.

A picture with the Wild Snoopy. NOTICE - how handsome Alex is in pictures where he's not sticking his tongue out...making a silly face....or just twarked off because mom has the camera out again



We also had to stop at Alex's aunt and uncles Terry and Kathy's home on our way out of St. Paul. We didn't leave until 8:30pm with a 4-hour drive ahead - but the extra time with family was worth it. Lots of coffee and red bull for the drive home




So that, our "Wild Trip". If you are a hockey fan, let me encourage you to take a trip to the Xcel Center in St. Paul to see a game. It's an awesome venue for hockey and the organization overall is a stand-up group - an I'm not just giving my friend a shout-out...that is a non-biased opinion.