A closer look at flyover land

What I did this weekend, part 2

Just call me the Queen of the Festivals, because not only did I go to the Renaissance Festival this past weekend--I went to the State Fair.

Oh, yeah.

What did I do there?

I watched people join in the Giant Sing-Along. No, I did not join in.

I watched Teen 2 tackle the climbing wall.

No, I did not do that either. I rather enjoy spectating.

I admired this bench in the Midway. Where I did not ride any rides or play any games.

Remember, I was still tired from the Ren Fest the day before. I was doing well to stroll the fairgrounds.

I most certainly did not have the energy to attempt this, although I enjoyed watching others do it.

I took great pleasure in seeing a bookstore at the Fair.

I did take a ride on the Skyride, however. I even got the hippie car.

From the Skyride I could see people doing all kinds of crazy things you will never, ever see me do.

Of course I spent time oohing and aahing over the beautiful handworks in the Creative Arts building.

Best use of Tinker Toys ever.

I love the backlighting on the maple syrups and herb vinegars.

I admired this ode to the lowly dumpling in the Fine Arts building.

Then I rested under a large metal palm tree (with light bulbs cleverly hidden in the coconuts) and refreshed my spirits with food and drink.

What did I eat? For that, you'll have to wait for Friday Food.

 

 

What I did this weekend, part 1

I had a craaaaaaazy busy weekend. Fortunately, it was also crazy fun.

I went to the Renaissance Festival with Teen 2 and his friend. Going early in the Ren Fest season is a good idea; the weather was perfect, partly cloudy, temps in the 70s, and the bigger crowds were at the State Fair. Although there was a bustling crowd, it wasn't nearly as busy as it would have been had the Fair not been in session.

Which gave me plenty of time to amble about and enjoy such sights as Puke & Snot:

If you haven't seen these guys, they can be very funny, but not really family friendly. A young dad sat down in front of me with three kids, all well under the age of 6. I wondered: should I say something? But I really didn't want to be Miss Noseypants. About 5 minutes into Puke & Snot's show, he hustled his kids out of there. Say, dude, the Renaissance? Kind of a bawdy, wild time.

I saw the jousting.

I saw the best beer ads ever:

I visited the Secret Garden:

Where I saw this sign.

Teen 2 had an encounter with Capt. Jack Sparrow.

We watched people do insane things with fire.

And we shopped, but didn't buy much; it was just fun to look. But I didn't feel it was right to leave without this.

That Renaissance Festival, it sure brings out my feisty side.

 

Friday food

If the weather holds, I may be attending not one, but two--TWO!!--major food-focused events this weekend. Well, they may not be totally food-focused, but it's certainly my plan. Renaissance Festival and Minnesota State Fair, here I come!

As I rest and prepare for this onslaught of gut-busting treats, check out a recent story about the sole provider of 60 tons of cheese curds for the Fair. You just never know who's got what specialty these days.

Why we're the best

City Pages has a most excellent piece on why Minnesota is the best state in the country. Read all about it here.

Of national importance

A much-beloved state landmark is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark:

Split Rock Lighthouse, part of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, was awarded the historic designation last week. It's only the 12th lighthouse across the U.S. to be so designated, and only the second on the shores of a Great Lake. Split Rock was nominated both because of its history in terms of the importance of shipping in the earlier 20th century, and because of its pristine condition (it opened in 1910, having been built after horrendous storms in 1905 damaged and/or destroyed 30 ships).

Besides visiting the Lighthouse itself, you can also walk down the Tramway to the beach, and see why this particular piece of shoreline was so treacherous without light.

The Lighthouse is open mid-May through mid-October, and then again each year on the anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy, in November, when the beacon is lit in remembrance.

I am so going to see that someday.

It's a beautiful place to visit, and well worth the extra time to clamber down to the beach and do a little hiking. Also? Great gift shop. Not, of course, that that plays into the national significance.

Friday food

Quite a while ago I won a Twitter contest for a gift card to Cafe Maude. It took me a while to get around to using it, but we finally did, taking in a family brunch.

The interior is friendly and relaxing. Teen 1 noted with some disapproval that it appeared to be a bit hipster to him. He's having hipster issues these days. Ignore him.

DH and I indulged in a bloody Mary.

Wonderfully spicy, nicely paired with its beer chaser.

Teen 2, who wasn't feeling quite himself, decided to bypass the burger option and order the granola griddle cakes.

These were light and sweet, covered with dulce de leche and sauteed apples, served with maple syrup. Teen 1, who was feeling just fine, went for the burger.

Thick and meaty. He got a strange look on his face after his first bite. I asked him what was wrong. "It's not wrong," he said, "but it tastes like meat loaf, not like a burger." I tried a bite and agreed: it tasted like an excellent homemade meat loaf. We were split in our opinions on this: I thought it was great, while he wanted something more akin to a burger.

DH ordered corned beef hash.

This was a gem, with big meaty chunks of corned beef and carrots, cabbage, and potatoes, topped with hollandaise sauce and a fried egg.

I went with the eggs Benedict.

Asparagus and pancetta, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, with mixed greens. YUM.

I felt as if I couldn't eat another bite, but Teen 1 wanted to order the seasonal cheesecake.

This was an amazing concoction, involving cheesecake, a curry cookie, and diced peaches and basil with curry. As I am the only curry eater in my household, I got the fruit and cookie all to myself. Lordy, it was good.

I loved that the bill came tucked into this.

The cover of an old children's book.

The service was excellent when we were there, friendly, checking in exactly often enough but not too often. Would I go again? In a heartbeat. Especially if there is more curry on the cheesecake.

Better Know a State Park

I was looking through some photos on my computer and immediately became nostalgic when I came upon some of these.

A hiking trail at Blue Mounds State Park, just north of Luverne. I visited the park last summer and fell completely, wildly in love with it. I loved the wide open spaces. I loved the vast fields of prairie grasses and wildflowers blowing in the breeze. I loved that there were spots where the wildflowers and grasses on either side of the trail were taller than I am (5'8"). At first, it made me a little nervous--a whole lot of buzzing bee activity going on there. But then I realized the bees were far too busy with all the wildflowers to pay any attention to me. And given all the bad news about bee populations, I was delighted to see so many of them, apparently live and well and going about their important work.

 

I think I stopped about every three feet to take a picture. (Don't worry, I'm not going to post all of them. Let's face it, the landscape doesn't change that dramatically on a yard-by-yard basis.) The park is heavily composed of prairie lands, but there are also stands of trees.

And the blue mounds themselves.

These appeared to be blue to the settlers and pioneers who first made their way west, hence the name. Interestingly, on the southern end is a 1250-foot line of rocks running east to west, and on the first day of spring and fall each year, the sunrise and sunset align perfectly with those rocks. No one knows why or how the rocks came to be in that position.

Near the park's entrance is a little viewing stand. Although not tall, it's worth the short climb to get a better view of these:

A herd of bison that lives within the park. They can be quite fun to watch.

My pictures don't do justice to this small but lovely park in the southwest corner of the state. If you find yourself in that area, make sure to stop.

 

Friday food

It's coming.

Chicken curry and fried pickles

Corn on the cob

Soon. One of late summer's most beloved festivals.

Smoked turkey drumstick

No, not that beloved festival.  

The Renaissance Festival! Opens in all its glory--and the glory is considerable--Aug. 20.

Based on last night's preview? The turkey drumstick is as amazing as ever.

 

Imagination no longer required

Remember earlier this summer when I visited the Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud and said you'd have to use your imagination to see how it'd look later in the summer? Well, I recently had cause to drive through St. Cloud again and decided to check them out, see how summer was treating them.

Very well, as it turns out.

Things are beautifully green, including this little gazebo's roof.

The fountains are flowing, surrounded by lush flowers.

Roses are blooming.

Annuals are vivid.

Imagine just hanging out on this bench, surrounded by all this beauty.

Or taking a slow stroll, drinking in all the color.

It was a brutally hot day when I was there, but given the Gardens' location right along the Mississippi River, the heat was offset by a lovely breeze. Seriously, what are you waiting for? Get thee to St. Cloud.

Friday food

So often when I've driven through Nisswa, there's one little place I've wanted to try, but I'm always going through at the wrong time. Like December.

This little free-standing donut shop has been in Nisswa since 1984, open seasonally (and weatherally). Finally, last weekend, I lucked out.

If there's a line, it can be a little bit of a wait, but that's OK; you get to watch the hypnotic (and not very big) donut maker flip and fry the mini donuts, finally popping them into the pan for a short drain before they're bagged and sugared and sold, still hot.

Hot and sugary and melty and light as a feather.

So glad I finally got to Nisswa at the right time.