Minneapolis by Foot
March 25th, 2008 by Rick RocheGreetings from Minneapolis! I am Rick Roche from the Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs, and I will be reporting for PLABlog about reference, readers’ advisory, and technology.
I flew out of Chicago Midway this morning and arrived in the Lindbergh Terminal at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The pilot had said that the flight would be rough due to winds, but it seemed relatively smooth to me. Turbulence did not hamper my reading Travels in the White Man’s Grave by Donald MacIntosh. I did look up when the woman next to me kept giggling at her copies of Media Week and Brand Week. You would have thought she had Mad or Punch.
We arrived a few minutes early and docked at the gate farthest from the baggage claim area. By the time I hiked the length of the terminal, my suitcase was already waiting for me. I quickly caught the light rail and was able to get into my hotel room right on the stroke of noon. After I picked up my registration materials at the Minneapolis Convention Center, I hiked seven blacks further south to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. It was worth the effort and is free. I wrote more about it on my blog, in case your interested. It is open until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, so you can go if you are here. I recommend it. (There is a #11 bus to take you there.)
I spent most of my afternoon on my feet. When outside, I found my heavy coat was too much for the 40 plus temperature despite the breeze. I was more comfortable in a jacket. The locals were only wearing jackets and sweaters today. If you are arriving tomorrow, bring a something a little less than your parka. If you are in Florida and staying there, ignore this advice.
Theoretically you can walk from most of the hotels to the Convention Center via the indoor skyway and never have to worry about your coat. Some of the skyway, however, goes right through stores that close at night. I do not think they will be open as early as the first PLA meetings of the morning. Prepare to go outside. There is coat check at the Convention Center.
**Update** The stores were not open early but the paths through them were this morning. With many people, I walked right through a darkened Macys this morning.
There are lots of fast places to eat along the skyway during the day, but most of them close at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. In Minneapolis you will have to descend to the street to get to your evening meal. You still at home can go to the refrigerator.
I have now discovered what I forgot to pack - an umbrella. There is a chance of rain or snow or both on Thursday. Pack yours.
I did remember books. I will finish Gulf Music by Robert Pinsky and start Mr. Adams’s Last Crusade by Joseph Wheelan. When I am not at meetings, eating with friends, or reading, I’ll be blogging. See you here.
Tags: PLA2008
|
Print this post