As part of my staycation recap, but also building on my positively Tuesday Simple Pleasures, I'll give a little look at one of our day trips. St Paul has a wonderful conservatory, linked to the Como Park Zoo. DD2 and I were able to get reservations last Friday for a self guided one way, no backtracking tour. I can't even recall the last time I was in the conservator part and the greenery and flowers were stunning. I didn't really take any pictures of the animals-most were sleeping and getting bored with people.
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| Imagine a pineapple growing in Minnesota! |
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Pretty cool that these ferns have been identified
as back to the Jurassic age. |
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Loads of wedding, engagement,prom and graduation
photos are taken here. In fact, I guess small wedding
ceremonies can be done. Saves a lot on flowers! |
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| Just more lush greenery around a fountain. |
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| Up close-so pretty. |
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| and mor eup close. |
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| The outside of the conservatory. |
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This was not a bonsai, but I don't recall the name
-located right before heading outside to the Japanese Garden. |
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| A shot of the Japanese Garden, a gift to St Paul. |
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| One more inside. |
It took roughly 90 minutes for us to do the walking tour of both. While there I got a text that something urgent was going to need my attention, but I pushed it off for a few hours. We stopped on the wa home for lunch at one of our favorite places, Cosetta's, and Italian deli, market, and bakery. There is an upscale restaurant on the premises as well, just a few streets off downtown St Paul. With food to take home, including fresh cannoli, it made for a really nice time with my daughter. If you find yourself in St Paul, know reservation will be needed, but worth the time to book for part of a day. We'll travel again, but getting a little jump start on spring was an excellent simple pleasure.
