Day 3

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posted by Onaxthiel: Hanging out with the cousins in the Twin Cities is fun. Unfortunately, they both have to go to work today, so Obfuscator and I have to find interesting things on our own this morning. 😉 Discussed must see sights with our male cousin last night. He recommended Fort Snelling as the morning site, and a number of options for the afternoon spot. We decided on the Saint Paul Cathedral. Snelling was an interesting spot. Lovely views on two sides, at the confluence of the Mississippi and the Minnesota river. The fort has an antique orientation film you can watch before you enter. It has one of the forts founders walking the battlements and talking about “back in his day.” I thought it would have been more entertaining to have him simply reawaken in the modern world and be terrified of the cars, weird people and low flying airliners that now blow past his fort every second. The fort itself is quite an experience. We rather interrogated the re-enactors in the fort. It turns out that even in the early 19th century, the army only considered enlisted men to be full human beings if they were married. The officers quarters were small, and the married enlisted mens quarters were small and had two families assigned, but the single enlisted slept in a long row of bunks. Some things never really change. Unit sizing has though. The REGIMENT based at Snelling consisted of 350 at full strength with a full Col. in command. These days we would call that a large company, or at best a tiny battalion. It turns out Dredd Scott was a resident of the fort, and is where he picked up his wife. He was in his thirties and she was seventeen at the time of their marriage. All males out there understand why I have to congratulate him. Well done Dredd. I talked shop with the “Post Surgeon” a man with an awesome radio announcer’s voice and an interest in medicine from the era of leeching and lancing. Heard a technique for treating infections from wounds that I hadn’t before. A dressing of milk and bread. I think it works on a principle similar to wet to dry that we use with sterile water and Kerlix today. I prefer our technique, but the other is something to keep in mind for possible emergency use.
The afternoon was spent at the cathedral. From the steps one can see the capital of Minnesota, and I think the church is much more impressive. Internally and externally, the Cathedral isn’t so much an architectural achievement as a work of art. Impressive statuary, magnificent paintings, and the story of St. Paul (the religious figure, not the town) in wrought iron frames behind the altar. Very much worth the stop. Heading back to the cousins apartment, we spotted one of the locations we had been advised to stop at, a gamming store called Source in Falcon Heights. I had been told they were perhaps the finest nerd shop in the country. I would have to agree so far as I have seen. Once I get back to a stable living situation, I will have to place some orders from them. Thanks for the recommendation, Brent!
The evening brought on a volleyball game (where we were soundly beaten. Half the team hadn’t played in the last ten years) and movies at Female cousin’s apartment. Wild Hogs. Not a bad film, and eerily close to what my brother and I are trying right now, though with less angst on our part. We were treated to more addictive cookies too. Tomorrow we will have male cousin along for the ride, since he can occasionally take off work.

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Photos

Fort Snelling
Fort Snelling - The Round Tower

MN Statehouse
Minnesota Statehouse - Okish?

St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral - Marvelous!

Butterfly Mosaic
Butterfly Mosaic on building next to St. Paul's Cathedral.

Comments

[Allen]

sounds great!
Makes me wonder if i can actaully think of things for visitors to see in this city... Hmmm...