We spent the weekend in Minot, North Dakota. Some of those to whom I have mentioned this have asked why. Well, it isn't a bad place. For its size, it feels a lot bigger than it is. It's a little like Regina in that regard, except that it only has 40,000 people instead of 200,000 like Regina does. However, like Regina, it has one Best Buy store, so that gives you an idea of the trading area that it supports.
The Dakota Square Mall is a pretty decent mall. It has three department stores (Target, JC Penney and Herberger's) and a lot of little shops. I got a case for my Treo, and a nice spring/fall jacket.
The Best Buy visit was very fruitful because they had two Nintendo Wiis in stock! I've wanted one for ages. I bought one for myself and another for a friend with whom I had a pact to buy one if I found two (and he was to do the same). I won so he bought me lunch today. :)
For supper we went to Paradiso, a really good Mexican restaurant in Minot. It was excellent. I highly recommend it. Pints of Michelob Amber Bock were only $2.50 too. I may have had a couple. Honest, I am over 21.
The next day we had a quieter day. For lunch we went to a really cool diner, Kroll's Diner. It is probably the first geniune diner that I have ever visited. It had the entire feel of a 1950s American diner. I had the roast beef special and it was pretty good. Of course I had a soda (pop to we Canadians) and Lori and I shared a vanilla shake for dessert. Pretty yummy.
Haven't posted in a few days... bad boy.
I spent the weekend in Edmonton visiting friends. It's a long drive... 7.5 hours. I remember now why I like to fly places. Unfortunately, the really nice scenery doesn't begin for another couple of hours of driving west of Edmonton.
Fortunately, Edmonton drivers actually understand the concept of letting someone in when they signal. If they didn't, it would be complete gridlock because there is constant traffic in Edmonton. In Regina, by contrast, the traffic is a lot more bearable so people don't feel the need to be polite. If you signal to be let in, you're as likely to have a gap get smaller as to have someone let you change lanes.
There's a cool gaming shop in St. Albert. I bought Settlers of Catan and some of the expansions. It's one of my favourite games, so I thought I should have it in my own pile o' games. I also bought a copy of Carcassonne. I haven't played it yet, though. It looks quite intriguing. If you want to head in that direction, here is a link to the store, Mission Fun & Games. No, I don't get a commission.