Oliver's Adventure in Minnesota
Oliver K. Woodman arrived in Minnesota during a Spring that hadn't quite decided to be a Spring―which meant there was at times good weather and then at times not so good weather. His first weekend visiting his new friend Maura they had sunshine, so she thought it would be fun to take Oliver to the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts. Museums are specials places with original and unique pieces of art which you can usually only see in that one place―so Maura thought the Art Institute would be a great place to show Oliver. First, they saw an very large painting of our first President of the United States, George Washington. Oliver was really excited to see President Washington's portrait―Oliver felt a real kinship to the large painted man, because of course, Oliver was sort of a painted man too.
Next, the new friends visited a very a shiny vintage car in the museum lots of people were standing around it oohing and awing over it but all Oliver could think of was how fun it would be to jump behind the wheel and take it for a cruise.
After the car, Oliver and Maura walked into the atrium area of the museum where above were giant floating rocks projected on the ceiling. Oliver too felt a special bond with these floating rocks because they were multi colored, just like Oliver!
After seeing Mr. Washington, the Shiny Silver Car and the Floating Rocks―Oliver felt a sudden urge of inspiration and independence. He wanted to go on his own adventure in Minnesota. He really liked Maura―but he felt like it was a good idea for him to visit other parts of the State on his own. Oliver knew from his readings the state motto for Minnesota was “L'Étoile du Nord”, which is French for “Star of the North”-- Oliver liked the sound of that and thought the people of Minnesota seemed to be a very independent lot and he wanted to be like them, even if it was just for a little while. So Oliver left the safe confines of his paper page and set out on his own―first he decided to take a bit more of a look around the museum. Oliver saw a giant white Dog named Sushi who seemed like a real nice pup, but he wondered who took him for walks? Maybe some of the statues in the other parts of the museum kept Sushi company―or maybe even George Washington himself.
Oliver went to visit the sports photography exhibit because who doesn't like photography? Oliver was taken in by a very fetching portrait of a Roller Derby Referee. Roller Derby is a sport much loved in Minneapolis―there is even a whole team named after the state Motto―The North Star Roller Girls!
After being cooped up in the museum for so long―Oliver decided he wanted to take a nice long Nature Walk to the Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, Minneapolis' twin city. Since it was Spring in Minnesota, a Spring that hadn't quite decided to be Spring, Oliver encountered some difficulties along the way. At first, the nature walk started out alright―Oliver walked down some lovely lanes and over some rocky hills...
...but then, all of a sudden, out of no where there was a giant snow storm and everything was covered in white. Oliver became disoriented and lost and was worried he wouldn't be able to find his way to the Conservatory. But this snow wasn't like any average snow―No! This snow was a special snow that only happens every so often, a snow that allows Snow Ogres to grow out of the millions and millions cold fluffy flakes.
Luckily for Oliver, Snow Ogres are gentle and kind creatures willing to help lost travelers in Minnesota blizzards. Oliver met one such Snow Ogre who helped him find the right path to the Como Conservatory.
Once there, Oliver was amazed to see the many panes of glass that comprised the dome of the conservatory allowing plenty of light so all the tropical plants could grow no matter if it is Summer, Winter, Spring or Autumn. Oliver delighted in all the aromas of the exotic flowers, and was amazed by the brilliant color of their petals.
After the conservatory―Oliver wanted to take in a show and grab a bite to eat―so he headed to the Triple Rock Social Club―a very cool place to visit where you can get lots of vegetarian and vegan foods! After having delicious vegan cupcake Oliver went just across the street to the Cedar Cultural Center to see a musical concert. The Cedar Cultural Center is a very special venue that is run entirely of volunteers―which Oliver thought was really neat―but then Oliver started to feel a little lonely. He thought it was time for him to try and find Maura. again.
Oliver remembered Maura was a real big fan of knitting so he thought he new exactly where to look for her―Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival near Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Oliver was in luck, because lake Elmo is just east of Minneapolis, Minnesota which was the direction he needed to head to get back to Chicago and the Lupescu family―especially Lana because he missed her the most. When Oliver arrived at the Sheep and Wool Festival, he saw some baby lambs with their mother. Oliver thought the baby lambs were really cute and looked so soft---and then who did he see standing just few stalls over? It was Maura! She was here and she still had his paper page so he could be sent back to Lana!
Oliver had a nice time visiting Minnesota and he knew he would always have a friend in Maura―but he was excited to get back home―because it's only after you return home that you get to take another adventure---and then next time Oliver visits Minnesota he hopes to see the Mermaids at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival―and hopefully Lana and her whole family can come too!
The End.