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Posts tagged minnesota
Vacation Summary
Sep 9th
This is gonna be really long. That’s why all my photos are on flickr and if you want to see them go there.
My car had issues with one of the coils or spark plugs or whatever but I got that fixed and took off. 10 minutes in the car and I decided to go completely off my rocker and head towards areas talked about in those Little House books. I wandered back roads to Sleepy Eye and then Walnut Grove to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. That’s where I got this giant chip busted out of my windshield. I don’t even know where the rock came from. Oh well.
From Walnut Grove I went to De Smet where she actually grew up. I stopped by the homestead, but they wanted a chunk of money and a wagon ride to show me everything so I passed. Ended up near Murdo, SD for dinner and then spent the night in the car.
Guy walks in the restaurant and says anyone wanna see a horse? Everyone goes outside. I’m in freaking South Dakota! Horses are unusual?
The next day I stopped at the infamous Wall Drug for (an expensive and not very good) breakfast then toured the place. Bought a nice leather purse I liked for $14. Wall Drug is enormous and completely touristy. Way too much crap.
Wandered through Sturgis and Sundance before heading to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Breathtaking and way cool. I managed to walk the path around the entire tower (1.3 miles) though I was done about two seconds before I came across the Halfway Point sign. Shit. But I did it and am kind of proud of myself. I decided right then and there to pony up the cash and camp at the KOA at the foot of the damned thing. Had my tent up and shower done by 7 because the campground movie was… can you guess? Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Which was canceled because of this ginormous storm. I should have stashed the tent and stayed in my car! That storm was scary as hell! Lightning and thunder and wind and rain and I’m zipped in the tent and can’t see anything and the wind is gusting and my fat ass is the only thing holding that stupid tent down. It kept folding over on me (no, the stakes disappeared years ago) and I kept picturing myself wrapped up tubal in a polyester tent and sleeping bag. Eventually it passed and I crashed until about 1am when the cold drove me into the car after all. My light AZ sleeping bag isn’t very useful when the temp drops too far.
Next day I headed towards Deadwood, SD for breakfast. I love Deadwood. I could live there if it didn’t get cold in the winter. Then to the Crazy Horse Memorial Monument. Huge museum and a bumpy bus ride to get closer. From there I stopped by Hot Springs but I didn’t do anything.
Blew through Colorado on the major highway. You don’t really see much doing 85 mph. Stopped for the night in Santa Fe at this cute little Silver Saddle Motel, but I really didn’t get to enjoy much because the elevation made it hard for me to breath. Saturday morning I decided to take another back road home. South of Albuquerque I found the US60 and headed west.
And stopped almost immediately because some little town was having it’s Labor Day parade on the ONLY STREET. I’m stuck behind the last police car disappointing small children because I’m obviously NOT part of the parade. So I blared some George Hrab as loud as I could stand it the whole length of the parade.
You know there’s a tiny town called Pie Town? Right there on the continental divide. I stopped for pie in honor of my friend Mur Lafferty. I’m not really a fan of pie, but I knew if I ever saw Mur again and passed up the opportunity she’d smack me.
And then I was home! Nice vacation but more expensive than I though it would be. I can’t tell you if the car ate more gas because the windows were open the whole time or if it would have been cheaper if the A/C worked. Who knows.
What I do know is, the next time some Fucktard tries to tell me I can’t do something they can just fuck off. I was fine. Better than fine. I did GREAT!
Thinking about my next road trip. Where should I go?
Away from the world!
Aug 27th
Here’s the deal.
We’re leaving in a bit to go camping. No computer (ack!) and likely my phone will die before the weekend is out because I forgot my car charger in my car.
And my car is at the repair shop because my 7th cylinder is retarded. Let’s hope that turns out to be a slight and only temporary retardation.
Anyway. Tubing, Strongbow, campfire, tents, the whole shebang. Should be fun… right?
Road Trip!
Aug 15th
The plan is to leave here Wednesday morning to go to Minneapolis. This is my route. If you’re on this route, let me know and maybe we can catch a meal or a drink or something.
The first weekend I’m going to their Ren Fest.
While I’m in Minneapolis I’m hosting a tweetup, but you don’t have to be on twitter to come. You can see the invite HERE and let me know if you want to join us. 
The next weekend we’re going camping. SHF. Sacred Heart Festival? I dunno, she’s all pagan and shit so I think that’s what it is. All I know is there’s probably Strongbow because she’s the one who started me on the stuff.
After that… well… I might be heading a bit more East. I’m not sure yet. The person I want to see isn’t sure about his plans yet. Maybe.
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This is funny. People keep alternating between calling me an idiot for wanting to drive and suggesting places for me to check out on the way. I want to drive. I want to see some of this country and this is as good a time as any. I know I’ll likely be tired and sore, but I seriously HATE flying so much I’d rather drive. I’m hoping my car will get me through all right.
Couch Surfing
May 22nd
In my multiple conversations with my pal Evo, he thinks my idea of sleeping on an inflatable mattress in the back seat of my car is bad. Bad idea? That I should use my contacts through social media to find couches to crash on at night.
So fine, here goes. I’m planning a road trip to Minneapolis from Phoenix in late August. I really don’t have a schedule so I’m flexible. I just want to be there in time for my friend’s birthday at the end of that month.
If you live on this highway path and have a couch or spare guest space (and preferably don’t have cats) and wouldn’t mind putting me up for a night, sing out. You can email me or whatever.
Phoenix to Albuquerque or Santa Fe, then through to Kansas City and up to Des Moines. Then to Minneapolis.
Also if you know of some attractions along that route that one shouldn’t miss, I might be interested in that, too. Like I said, I’m not in any hurry but I don’t have a bunch of money to throw around.
Actually, there’s another route more through Colorado and Nebraska than through Kansas, so if you’re on that route it works too. Sounds prettier (Kansas has to be booooorrrrring) and just about the same total miles.
Split in half
Jul 11th
That’s how I felt those last couple of days in Minnesota. I woke up Thursday morning thinking about my frakking kids and what they were doing to my apartment and to drive each other nuts. I wanted my own bed. I wanted to go out and eat crappy fast food without being rude. Cara’s a foodie and either makes great food or finds the best place to get it out. But I was jonesing for a Burger King Whopper (which I promptly got at the airport) or a big bag of cheetohs.
And then I sat in her yard and enjoyed the peace and beauty and I didn’t WANT to come back.
So Thursday we lunched with Cara’s Mom and then went over to the SPAM Museum. Cara had fun giving me shit (see her journal) all through the place.
My favorite part of the museum was the piggy doors. They were soooo cute.
Then we wandered over to her sister’s to see her backyard garden and then to her mom’s.
I had been told throughout the visit that Tracy would never let me take a picture of him. So much that I snuck one of them out in the yard. But when I asked him point blank to pose with Cara he was more than happy to. I don’t know why everyone thinks he’s such a tough guy. I managed a hug and a photo all in my first visit. The guy is mush.
Friday we went to the zoo before Cara dropped me at the airport. The Mineapolis zoo is very nice but I couldn’t manage walking the whole place so we ended up on their crappy monorail.
I will go back.
| Originally published at Spellwight. |
Burnt Booblies
Jul 8th
Yesterday we went over to Lanesboro and wandered around, had breakfast (meh) and then went tubing. It was really nice going tubing during the week when we were just about the only people out there. We’d run into one couple canoeing and once a family kayaking, but the rest of the time we were on our own. It was sooooo nice.
And snowcalla posted that I flashed an Amish guy. No way! Firstly, I didn’t see any Amish people all day and Secondly, that guy was wearing plaid shorts and barely glanced up (double-take actually) as we floated by topless. Okay, *I* was topless. But boy are my boobs roasted. After we changed clothes in the car we stopped at another place for lunch (elk burger – another meh) and headed back before the rain. Cara’s hubby brought home pizza for dinner and I didn’t care for that either. I suppose after how many days of interesting and excellent food I was due for an off-day.
We watched V for Vendetta last night. I never saw that movie before. Natalie Portman might actually become a real actress someday. This was the best I’ve seen her do.
Tomorrow is the SPAM museum. I can hardly wait.
Min-eh-sooooo-tah
Jul 6th
Cara's koi pond
Flew into Minneapolis Wednesday on US Air. First I didn’t have a seat because stupid me forgot to check in early online. Then I was stuck in a window seat next to poor Mr. Morthan Chubby who had gas. But other than that the flight wasn’t bad. Got to MN and there was my good friend (snowcalla ) Cara! Long drive back to her house in Austin where I met and hugged her hubby. Actual roast dinner. Beautiful backyard. Through that night and the next morning I saw little things I’d forgotten northern nature had over the desert.
One bunny, fireflies, huge squirrels and green green green. MN reminds me of Michigan. Not the shit hole industrial areas I grew up in, but the farms and hills and trees further out of crappy places like Flint and Detroit.
Thursday we meandered back up to the Minneapolis area around Bloomington and Edina – and stayed in a suite at a Marriott Residence Hotel (where I had my own room cuz sometimes I snore) where we met up with (wickedgroovy) Heather. Fireplace and full kitchen meant we didn’t have to go out as much but we still did. 
We went shopping at Surdyk’s for designer cheeses and other stuff I’d never heard of. Sheila/Evo would love that store. Registered at CONvergence and wandered the art room and then back to the hotel to get ready to go out.
We’d decided to celebrate our 2009 birthdays together regardless of the fact that they aren’t even close. Started at Bradstreet, a tapas place. I think Tapas is greek for single servings of expensive and great tasting food you’re supposed to share. I tried new things like fois gras (yuk) and lamb ribs (fuck yeah) 
and enjoyed the crab cakes I ordered as a safety dinner in case I didn’t like anything else, such as the asparagus, the calamari and the lamb burgers the others ordered. I’m sure the lamb burgers would have been tasty if someone hadn’t decided to dump an entire pepper shaker on each one.
Cara, as always the leader in our expeditions, ordered the drinks. Starting with a Cooper’s Union – beautiful tall glass, Prairie, Lemon, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, Grapefruit, Gruet Sparkling, Orange Flower Water – and I made it about a third of the way through that. I think it was the elderflower that turned me off. So Cara told them to bring me something interesting with orange and vodka, which they did and I couldn’t really enjoy that either. Just plain, thanks. That’s me, just plain. Then there was something red and slimy I couldn’t even attempt, so Heather and Cara drank that and I finally got my plain screwdriver. But by then I was pretty toasted.
From there we went to a club at The Chambers Hotel called (I kid you not) The Red White and Fucking Blue Rooftop Lounge, which appeared to be the gay men mecca of the greater north plains states. Seriously. I’m pretty sure there were single hetero men there (because there were couples and groups) but finding one would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Great hopping club, with quick and plenty drinks and an outside area. Lots of conversation areas, a thing I never understood in a club where the music is kept loud. Who can conversate over that? But check out the weird toilet seats. 
I’ve never seen toilet seats that thin in a ladies room, although when that guy walked in like it was so natural for him I wondered if there even was a distinction between the ladies and men’s.
After Cara finally shed the guy who had latched onto her, we wandered across the street to another club that was virtually empty and had a chocolate dessert. Then upstairs to the rooftop bar. Waited I swear 8-10 minutes for someone to show up behind the bar so we could order drinks. Then some lizard started talking to me, then Heather and finally settled on Cara. Man she can attract them. We dumped him and headed back to our hotel hoping for some hot tub time. No such luck.
Fridayy noonish we headed to CONvergence. Not a big Con and after years of Dragon*Con, we were spoiled. Ran into (Hellziggy) Sharon before I could finish texting her I was there. She showed us around including the free food and drink areas. They hand out free water and soda and tea, and rice. Yup, cups of rice free and a bunch of stuff you can add for flavoring. What a brilliant idea rather than preparation intensive sandwiches and stuff. They had other food as well. And all around the indoor pool area there were party suites assigned to the different groups and tracks to decorate and provide booze at night.
Between the few panels and traipsing the party suites, we hit the dealer’s room where I found two small wooden containers for Casey to put Ed’s ashes in and ran into (EmmasDad) Mike. Back at the hotel we had the casserole Cara brought, drank some Strongbows, snacked on cheeses and fruits, and just hung out. Friday night as we were parking back at the Con there was a huge fireworks display nearby so we got our Fireworks Fix out of the way early. Good thing, Saturday night at the Con was a fiasco and all the fireworks were too far away to actually see.
Kiltlifting
Late Saturday morning we headed over to the Mall of America, had our pictures taken with Dora and Diego, wandered around some more and then headed back to the Con for one panel. Back to the hotel for swimming and hot tubbing and had to sneak the Strongbows in coffee cups. Back to the Con for an attempt to see fireworks, ended up wandering the parties instead.
Somewhere in there we had Heather’s enchiladas, went to Vilification Tennis (throwing insults back and forth which was hilarious – but half the people were improperly miked and you couldn’t hear them), met the Skepchicks ladies, saw Pamela Gay again (she has no clue who I am) and did more shopping and fancy food snacking.
Sunday we packed and headed up to downtown Minneapolis to Loring Pasta Bar for a scrumptious brunch. I can’t remember if I tried anything new there, but I’ll bet I did. I tried so many new things this weekend. Then back down here to Austin to recover. Cara has a wonderful home and yard for quiet recovery.
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Sorry this is so long, but it’s taken me all day so I don’t want to break it up. Tethered to my phone is slow but I can’t seem to access their wifi. I’m here until Friday with plans ahead for tubing and visiting historical points of interest. I am having the best time!
No D*C for me. Going somewhere else instead!
Jun 9th
Finally managed to get my already-paid-for plane tickets changed over so it’s official.
I’m going to Minnesota for 10 days next month to attend CONvergence and get to hang out with my VERY good friends Cara and Heather. You D*C people know them as the ladies I usually stay with there and they come to the good parties with me. This time I’m going to their neck of the woods to check out… Minnesota.
All my bestest friends have cancelled on Dragon*Con so there’s really no reason to go. Oh sure, there are a few other friends I’ll miss (Cat and Taipa and Loren and A and all my author friends and peeps like that) but this trip sounded like more fun.
And it’s like, three weeks from now and I REALLY NEED to get away from the people I live with NOW and not in September.
So, Cara, specifically:
US Airways Flight 351 arriving July 1 at 5:00 pm
US Airways Flight 35 leaving July 10 at 5:55 pm
I can’t bloody wait! Anybody else (fans, friends, folks) who want to get together just email spellwight over at gmail and we’ll set up a meetup of some sort.
| Originally published at Spellwight. |
