off in the rough.

Ryan and I played disc golf twice today. Once down here in the twin cities and once up in Duluth. I'm awfully rusty at throwing the disc around but Ryan was in good form as usual. Afterwards I got a tour of Ryan and Sarah's lovely new place in Duluth. A truly charming old house in the north part of town.

FAIR!

You may have thought that I went a little overboard with all of my eating at the fair on friday, but really I thought I didn't do enough... In fact, I missed a few favorites. So, when I was given the opportunity to go back to the fair a second time I jumped at the chance.
(Really I was going to see some good friends Ryan and Sarah.)

Here Ryan demonstrates proper single-handed roasted-corn eating-technique, while the somewhat more restrained Sarah contemplates use of the left hand assist.


I passed on the corn and went on to the ultra-mega-classic Deep Fried Cheese Curds. ( I can't believe I passed these up on friday)

Note the inviting golden brown crispy exterior. If you've had them you know they're great. If you've never had them, don't feel bad, just know that there is a whole new level of tasty cheesy goodness that you might some day get to experience.

Timing worked out just right that I got to see the lumberjack show. Kurt (pictured just right of center) pulled out the surprise win in the final event of log rolling.

At the Minnesota State Fair there are a number of food items sold "on a stick."

As tempting as the candy bars sounded at the time, I was still hungry for more real food. So, I opted for the never-fail standby, Pork Chop on a Stick!

Now that was delicious. I decided to wash it down with a root beer float on my way to meet up with Ryan and crew for a concert over at the lienies bandshell. We watched as Trampled by Turtles whipped up the crowd into a frenzied dancing past the security guards bluegrass drunken mob. It was pretty cool.

THE Minnesota State Fair

It is a special treat when I get to go to the Minnesota State Fair. So much to see and so much to EAT! It was extra special that I got to go with the whole family, since my sister flew into town for the weekend.

The Fam.


It was cool to see the 123 foot tall wind turbine blade at the eco exhibit.


And nice to see all of the arts and crafts...


but all the walking around makes a person hungry. With some skepticism I tried the Fish Taco from San Felipe.... with a birch beer on the side.


I must say, I was mightily impressed. The fried Tilapia, which looked burnt was actually quite good. Normally I don't like sweet mango salsa, but something about their combination of mango-pineapple vinaigrette and creamy chipotle sauce did the trick, it was a tasty treat indeed.

After touring a few more buildings and to see a 834 pound pumpkin This time I went for a "giant fried pork tenderloin" (gigantic pork mcnugget on a bun), which of course was awesome.

I made sure to wash it down with a sort of local brew, a Leinie's "Summer Shandy" note the canoe with the lemon on top.

We toured some barns to see ducks, goats, sheep, cows and a 1240 pound boar... which of course made me hungry again. This time I sampled the czech sausage with kraut and spicy mustard.. Ohh Yeah, that's some good eats.


And before we left we had to try one of the new foods for the year, chocolate covered bacon from famous dave's. I think someone else described it best by saying that the whole was no greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Stuff remembered.

A trip back to my parents house wouldn't be complete without looking through some of my old stuff and perhaps throwing away some of the unnecessary clutter. today I came across this old class project from about 5th grade. I think it was supposed to be a self portrait sculpture, although I didn't have quite that color hair or green ears... I post it for your viewing pleasure.

Chillaxin' with the Folks

Dad, busy working a Sudoku Puzzle.

Mom, busy quilting away.

Me: Chillaxin'

Minnesota Foods

I started the day with a trip to a museum in Austin MN that celebrates a Minnesota food that we all know and love: SPAM. the displays were actually quite tasteful, such as this very large diorama of a SPAMBURGER that hung overhead.

Not so tasteful was the SPAM reuben that I had across the street at a diner.

Later in the day I made my way home to the parents house. It was very nice to see mom and dad. They are doing well and enjoying retirement. The weather was nice and they wanted to eat outside, so they took me to a swanky restaurant on the shore of lake Minnetonka. I very much enjoyed the asiago encrusted walleye...

which paired beautifully with a 2008 vintage Cherry Coke.

heading home

I started the drive back towards my parents place today. But I couldn't really drive across South Dakota and not stop at the corn palace, I mean, it changes every year.... and apparently this is when. If you look carefully at the picture you will see Mitchell SD is stuck in a time warp that includes both 2008 and 2009 simultaneously.

this was a welcome sign in deed.


you may already know that Minnesota is home to a very large fiberglass Paul Bunyan (or two). also that it is home to a very large fiberglass walleye. But Paul doesn't always like to fish alone and thankfully he doesn't have to since he's got his jolly pal the Green Giant. Somehow it's both creepy and reassuring to know they're out there.

MMm finger lickin' good

back to back to back. the third day in a row of fabulous climbing. This time back in Spearfish canyon at a different location, big picture wall.

Here's a shot of me on the excellent route "dead residents," which follows a crack-like feature up brilliant limestone.


There was really only one way to treat ourselves to three consecutive days on the rock:
All-you-can-eat-K-F-C ! I'll spare you the details, but here is plate #1, Sooo tasty.


PS: I think I've given up hope to become a really good climber, new goal is to become a really well fed climber.

PPS: I don't plan on posting pictures of what I eat for dinner every night, just when it's something different or something extra tasty... I hope the pictures serve as inspiration for your own culinary explorations.

Outlets

another great day of climbing with Reggie and Scott, this time at the Sylvan Lake Outlets near Harney Peak.
Sylvan Lake

Here's a great shot Reggie took of me belaying Scott up the first climb of the day.

And of course, there was good food afterwards in Hill City at the Bumpin' Buffalo. I think my meal was called "Chislic"... basically deep fried sirloin. Reminded me of fondue dinners past.

Sunshine

It was a great afternoon of climbing in Spearfish canyon at the sunshine wall, with Reggie and Scott.
Reggie:


Scott:


I had a blast climbing the heavily pocketed and featured limestone. Here I am on a fabulous route called "Sundance."


Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious meal at the latchstring lodge. Buffalo Stew = Awesome.

in the PARK

I got out a little bit today for a haircut, but the best time was time spent in the park just enjoying nature and the vibrant feel of spearfish, this place has the VIBE.

Wahooo.

Well, I was absolutely psyched to get out and climb today with a nice couple Reggie and Leslie (sorry if I misspell it, I'm guessing here.) we got in a couple routes up in Spearfish canyon at an area called "skeletal remains"

back at the city park I went over to visit the historic DC BOOTH national fish hatchery...

pedal

Home sweet home.


the bike gets a picture today,

because I rode it for the first time of the trip. just a short ride up the canyon a bit. stir-crazy to find a climbing partner. and yes, I did put the seat back on the bike before I rode it.

Spearfish

A big thanks to Alpine Coffee Company, for letting me sit around basically all day long to use their free wi-fi and make some phone calls. Dealing with insurance and looking for partners...



By the end of the day I was stir crazy, so I made it down to the City Park, for a jog and a few pullups at the playground... bars, rings, lucky.

ALONE!

After a quick stop by Mt. Rushmore I took Dave to the airport. It was a bummer to see him go. For the first time on my trip the co-pilot seat sits empty. Something that will take a little getting used to.



I did however, get to visit my cousin Josh in Rapid City, who I hadn't seen in years, so that was great.

like Butter.

Awesome, climbing in Ten Sleep was sweet. First of all, if you hike up the nice trail to the Circus wall area and beyond, watch out for this:

I sat in some pine pitch and got it all over my shorts and harness.
Here's Dave getting a route up there dialed so he can send it next time he's in the area.

We got in 10 climbs without really trying and got back on the road over the Big Horns before dark. a very good day.

Despite a light drizzle for part of the day climbing was accomplished on 7 routes, and Dave and I are getting a feel for the limestone pockets. Here is another view of part of the canyon, with the sun setting. Weather looks like it will clear up even better tomorrow.

Ten Sleep!

Devil's Tower got moody and rainy just after El Cracko Diablo, so we took the advise of some friendly folks we met at the tower and headed west to Ten Sleep, WY. The canyon there is amazing, with limestone cliffs on both sides of the road for more than 8 miles. The potential here is HUGE.

went to bed hoping for decent weather.

Tower Success.

Dave and I climbed up the classic Durrance Route, to the top of Devil's tower. We got an early start to avoid other climbing parties and were standing on the summit by 8am. Wahoo! It was a special treat to get that tick accomplished with a good friend.
Hmm, I guess that photo doesn't really show the perspective, you'll just have to trust me, or better yet go to the top and verify the pile of rocks, the wooden stake, and our note in the summit log.

A big thanks to all my climbing friends back in the AV who very generously gave me a new backpack for climbing. It is in action and working great. Thanks!

Bitter Sweet.

Today was bitter sweet. One good friend left my company and another arrived.
Sarah went home.. she will be missed.

Dave arrived eager to do some climbing.

So we headed straight for the tower, which was looking nice with the moon rising.

Where are the Fairburns?

The Fairburn Agate is the state gem of South Dakota and so it seemed fitting to see a few examples at the museum of geology at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. Pretty rocks.

Cavey

It was a rainy day, so underground was the place to be, here inside of Jewel Cave, it was nice and mostly dry.

Back at the casa Walmart in Rapid City there was a nice sunset just outside my front door.