Symposium 2011 - St. Paul

[Ted Monk]

This will be my 3rd Symposium and I`m looking forward to it! My wife and I are arriving in St. Paul early in the afternoon of Sunday, June 19th and leaving first thing Monday the 26th. We`re coming in early so that we can spend the first 4 days checking out some of the local sites and scenery.

My question is, and probably more for locals, what should we see? Where should we go?

We like to hike, geocache, explore, see art, history, eat well and cheap, etc. We're not really into the 'touristy' things and prefer going where locals go. All the same things other turners like. 😉

Unfortunately, we will not have a car on this trip. We'll be at the host Hilton Hotel for the latter part of the week but we have not booked a hotel yet for Sun - Thurs. We've held off booking this until we get our itinerary together.

Where are your favorite places to go? Any suggestions are appreciated! I'm sure that others will find this info helpful too.

Also, I read somewhere, and for the life of me can't find it, that the AAW was organizing a trip to a Saints game (there are no home Twins games while we are in town 🙁). Any idea where I saw this?

 

[hockenbery]

Ted,
bottom of the symposium page has list of stuff including the "saints game"

http://www.woodturner.org/sym/sym2011/

-al

 

[Doug M Jones]

King Tut

Ted,
I'm driving up early on Thursday to get settled and then spend the afternoon and evening at the museum just down the street from the Symposium sit looking over the King Tut Exhibit. I might even find some vessels of inspiration. It looks very interesting.

 

[jschnell1203]

now that sounds intersting, I'll be in early Thursday but have to help out setting up the video equipment.

 

[bbergst]

now that sounds intersting, I'll be in early Thursday but have to help out setting up the video equipment.

I'll be doing the same. Volunteered to do video. I see we even get a free t-shirt. Hope it doesn't smell too bad after wearing it for 3 days straight. 🙄

 

[Ted Monk]

Ahhh, that's where the Saints info was, thanks. I guess this is all the info that is available at this time?

We also plan on the King Tut's Tour, the Landmark Center and the Conversations with Wood exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. We're hoping to get out and do a bit of hiking and Crosby Farm Park looks like a nice place?

 

[Ron Solfest]

Welcome

Welcome to the Twin Cities Ted.

You what they say about locals, always the last one to take in the sites 🙂

With that said, late June will be wonderful here. We like the outdoors, and I love the lakes. Lots of opportunity around the Twin Cities for that. I believe you can also get cruises on Lake Minnetonka (SW part of cities) or on the St. Croix (Stillwater just east of the cities).

If you have a car, you might also want to drive to Duluth for a day. It's a 2hr drive from St. Paul. I love Lake Superior and the North Shore, in fact I'd even consider doing a couple day trip up that way - there are nice water falls and state parks - plenty of geocaching I suspect. I'd also recommend a partial day at Stillwater (30min east of St. Paul), pretty view along the St. Croix and lots of shops if you like or just have lunch overlooking the river.

Not sure what your wife is interested in. We have the Mall of America (I only go there about once a year or so but visitors like going there), my wife quilts and finds lots of quilting shops around here. Fort Snelling is interesting to visit, and we have lots of theaters if you like plays.

Of course you'll stop by Seven Corners Hardware which is right near the symposium and other sites around St. Paul.

Bottom line, I'd recommend spending time around water, which won't be too hard to find 🙂
Enjoy,
Ron

 

[Ted Monk]

Ron,

Great tips, thanks! Especially Seven Corners Hardware. A *short* stop there will definitely be on my list!

 

[Ted Monk]

Still looking for some tips on great places to visit, places to eat and things to do while we're in St. Paul. 🙂

Also, does anyone know how we sign up for the Saints game on Friday night?

 

[Betty Scarpino]

Ted, if you call the Saint Paul office and talk with Jane, she will gladly let you know about the Friday night game, as well as other things to do while in Saint Paul.

651-484-9094

Or email her at jane@woodturner.org

Betty Scarpino, editor, AW

 

[Ted Monk]

Thanks, Betty!

 

[Ted Monk]

I'm reading on the schedule for Thursday evening that from 5 to 8 there is a gallery reception for Turning 25, Roots and the Elsworth Retrospective. Exactly what is this? Is this a private affair or open to anyone?

Another thing, for the past couple of years there has been a 'talent' show on Thursday evening. Is there one again this year?