I stayed at Alison’s home for a layover during a trip to North Dakota. Because I was likely to arrive when she and her husband Dan were out, Alison arranged for me to enter her home conveniently and promptly upon my arrival. Two delightful cats greeted me, although one of them may have been in a friendly mood to try to get an early dinner. The bedroom, like Alison’s home, was cozy. A guest may or may not want to use the foam sheet on top of the pullout bed, depending on his/her preference. The self-serve breakfast was a great idea, and I enjoyed cooking eggs that were fresh from the hens in the garden.

If one is turning into Alison’s neighborhood from I-94, one should call ahead for detailed instructions on how to exit the freeway because the exits are not easy to use. For those going west, Johnson Parkway, which appears to be a relatively major neighborhood thoroughfare does not have an exit; the exit is actually later. For those going east, the off-ramp is on the left side of the freeway and proceeds from the fast lane. The relevant on- and off-ramps are not at the same street. Of course, the awkward layout of the freeway ramps is not Alison’s fault.

I enjoyed speaking with Alison about the St. Paul area while I was eating my dinner. Her husband arrived later, and I enjoyed speaking with him briefly. As natives of the Twin Cities area, Alison and Dan are very knowledgeable about their home.