If you're not up at the lake, come Sunday, June 22, from 2-5 pm (that should straddle all naps) to the Chutes & Ladders Playground in Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington (chosen because it's my older son's favorite playground in the universe, so he won't give me problems about meeting up with a bunch of grown-ups).
Here's the GoogleMap link to the playground:
To get there from the north, come down Normandie Blvd, go under 494, then turn right onto W 84th Street. Turn left onto E Bush Lake Road and you're driving through the middle of Hyland Lake Park. Pass the lake on the right, and then turn into the Recreation Center parking lot and park.
Or, come down 169, go under 494, and turn left onto Highwood Drive. Then turn right onto E Bush Lake Road and you're driving through the middle of Hyland Lake Park. Pass the lake on the right, and then turn into the Recreation Center parking lot and park.
If you're coming from 35W (either from the north or from the south), get off at the W 90th Street exit and go west on W 90th, then north on France Ave S, then west on W 84th St to E Bush Lake Road.
Anyone else, it's probably easiest for you to take 494 to Bloomington and get off at the 169 exit and follow the directions from 169.
Anyone interested?
Holy crap! I am so there!
It IS an amazing playground. That whole park is great.
Wow! This is so unexpected! I am having a crappy day but it suddenly got a lot brighter. You'll know me because I'll be the woman with the stupid grin on her face who looks like she could very well burst into tears at any moment. That's my usual look.
Posted by: rudyinparis | May 20, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I totally didn't figure out the Twin Cities thing. Oy. Have relatives around there, but not us! Ah, well. Have fun.
Posted by: hedra | May 20, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Drats! I will totally be at the lake that day. Hope the visit home & the meet-up is spectacular.
Posted by: cursingmama | May 20, 2008 at 10:30 AM
My colleague tells me it's about an 8-hour drive from Chicago. Probably too far ... ?
Posted by: Shannon | May 20, 2008 at 10:37 AM
We are close (Stillwater is about 45 min away). I have a conflict with my husband's side but I think I'm gonna have to work on him as I would love to meet up. We've never been to that park and my daughter could use a new place to stretch her legs so I will do my best!!
Posted by: rowan+keaton+mama | May 20, 2008 at 10:49 AM
OMG if I lived anywhere near there I'd hire a babysitter to play with my toddler so I COULD GO ON THAT PLAYGROUND!!
Harrumph.
Have fun!
Posted by: Melissa | May 20, 2008 at 10:53 AM
It's truly only about a 6.5 hour drive from Chicago...I'm thinking about it....so want to go!
Posted by: Bobbi | May 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Oh man! I JUST moved from the Twin Cities. If I still lived in St. Paul, I'd SO be there!!
Posted by: ames | May 20, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Yay Moxie for a long-awaited and needed trip home. Wish you could just stay there.......
Posted by: Julie | May 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Moxie, I actually will be in MN that day! But flying back to NYC in the evening.
My kid will still be in Queens.
Have a great time!!!
Posted by: jessica | May 20, 2008 at 11:52 AM
I'm in Minnesota and will try to be there! How exciting to meeet you and some of the regular commenters!
Posted by: Katy | May 20, 2008 at 01:15 PM
YAY for me! I'm totally there...and DH is in San Antonio for the summer but I can't convince him to go meet up with a stranger from the internet. Otherwise we could both bask in the Moxie real-life meetup.
Posted by: Amanda | May 20, 2008 at 01:57 PM
I would love to do this! I will check my calendar. I've never taken my kids to that park - it sounds great!
Posted by: Missy | May 20, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Nice! Will put it on the calendar and hope we can make it there after naps and before 5.
Posted by: caro | May 20, 2008 at 02:32 PM
You know what's happening here? The beginning of Moxie playdates! We should have these all around the country!
(and maybe call them something more clever than playdates?)
Posted by: Lisa | May 20, 2008 at 02:54 PM
I didn't relize you had Minnesota connections, Moxie...
My boys and I will be there!
Posted by: gansgirl | May 20, 2008 at 02:59 PM
I have it on my calendar! yay!
Posted by: julie | May 20, 2008 at 03:00 PM
If it wasn't an 8 hour drive from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - I'd sooo be there. I love the twin cities! Have fun everyone, I'm totally jealous.
Posted by: Aaron | May 20, 2008 at 03:11 PM
It's on the calendar! I am looking forward to it!
Posted by: julie | May 20, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Please post pictures!!!
Posted by: Julie | May 20, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Hey Moxie, I didn't know you had a Minnesota connection...
My boys and I will be there!
Posted by: gansgirl | May 20, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I have never commented here before, but I live in Minneapolis and will definitely be there! I'm looking forward to meeting you!
Posted by: Pascha | May 20, 2008 at 10:54 PM
It is the best playground in the universe! It still is, even though they took out the best slide because it was too dangerous. I'm actually leaving to fly home on the 22nd or else I would come :( Too bad I didn't know before I booked my ticket!
Posted by: Pippi | May 21, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Delurking to say, Yay! Love that park. We live just minutes away.
Posted by: Ingrid | May 21, 2008 at 08:22 AM
That weekend is Back to the 50's (a HUGE car show at the fairgrounds) so we might actually be there from Wisconsin. Hrmmm, it would be so fun to meet you!
I'll see if I can get my husband to hang around that long so I might be able to bring the little man for some playground fun!
I hope we will be able to see you there!
M.
Posted by: Marta | May 21, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Moxie, I can't get to any posts past this one!!
Posted by: Aaron | May 22, 2008 at 11:07 AM
hey, when are you coming to texas?
Posted by: wix | May 23, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I think we'll be there! Last time I went, Peter was 2.25 and got all the way to the top and then freaked out and I had to go retrieve him. But now I could send Peter to help get Leo if necessary. We're going to the lake the following weekend :)
Posted by: Amy F | May 25, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Holy crap! I always thought you were in NYC! I was in Burnsville with the tiny non sleeping baby when I started reading you!
Posted by: Dawn | May 29, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or
something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but
other than that, this is great blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
Posted by: Cheap P90X | July 11, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Lot of useful points are there. Its really keeps me updated.
Posted by: usedcarsforsale | August 20, 2011 at 05:27 AM