How I Spent My MEA Weekend

While I didn't get the extra days off that students and teachers get for MEA, last weekend was a great weekend to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds here in southeastern Minnesota.

After doing some yard work on Saturday, we then grabbed dinner with some friends before seeing Mary Chapin Carpenter's acoustic show at Mayo Civic Center. She's been one of my favorite artists for many years now, and her three-person acoustic show didn't disappoint. We even liked her opening act, Rose Cousins, and wound up purchasing her EP after the show.

After the show, we enjoyed a beverage and checked out the cool views from one of Rochester's newest haunts, the rooftop bar, La Vetta, on South Broadway. The views are pretty cool-- and, even though there were plenty of heaters-- the nippy weather Saturday was cool, too. So we only stayed for one before moving to someplace a little warmer-- the bar near the fireplace upstairs at the Tap House.

Sunday, we took advantage of the gorgeous weather to head up to Frontenac State Park and do some hiking. We ended up hiking most of the park's upper and lower bluff trails, right above Lake Pepin. Thanks to the windy conditions we've been experiencing, some of the vibrant-colored red and orange leaves had already fallen, but there were still many hues of gold that made for a scenic hike.

Check out the photos...