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June 13, 2005

C'mon All You Travel Guides!

Dave from Ohligarchy is coming to Minnesota on vacation!

I have not determined which week I am going to be there, but I am working on what to do when I am in the area. There are a few things swimming around in my head, but if anyone from the MOB/NARN is reading this, I would be happy to solicit suggestions as to what to do with a family of six. Doug? Mitch? Cathy? The only thing that is a dead cert for this trip is a Thursday evening visit to Keegan's Pub. After all, I have been granted "diplomatic immunity" by the MAWB Squad.

Unfortunately, the Minnesota State Fair is out. Kids here go back to school that week. Anything else is under consideration. How's the Laurentian Divide this time of year?

Suggestions? Leave a comment!

Posted by Mitch at June 13, 2005 05:25 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Well of course they have to visit the "World's Largest Ball of Twine" in Darwin, MN. And then that large spoon in a field somewhere near the Twin Cities.

Posted by: JamesPh. at June 13, 2005 08:12 AM

Great idea! I have been dying to see the big ball of twine ever since I first heard the Weird Al Yankovic song about it. How about the Jolly Green Giant? Is that still around? I've already seen the Big Ear of Corn.

And, of course, Buck Snort.

Posted by: Dave in Pgh. at June 13, 2005 09:46 AM

Great idea! I have been dying to see the big ball of twine ever since I first heard the Weird Al Yankovic song about it. How about the Jolly Green Giant? Is that still around? I've already seen the Big Ear of Corn.

And, of course, Buck Snort.

Posted by: Dave in Pgh. at June 13, 2005 09:47 AM

The Jolly Green Giant statue is in Blue Earth, just off I-90 near Fairmont. He was standing tall when I was there for a funeral last November. There's a billboard of him on US 169 just North of St. Peter but it's not as cool as the one in Blue Earth.

It's a hell of a long drive from there to Lake Itasca, but I recommend you go to Itasca State Park so you can truthfully tell people that you walked across the Mississippi River without getting your feet wet. Then swing by one of the Paul Bunyon statutes for a photo (Brainerd or Bemidji) so you can show it to folks at home - they'll recognize it from the movie "Fargo." Northern Minnesota in the summer can be pleasant.

Whatever you do, Dave, do NOT agree to visit the Mall of America. Send the girls for the day if they want to shop, but find something else to do with yourself - ride the Train to visit the Mill Museum downtown, maybe. Or call me and we can sample a few local brews after you mow my lawn. Just don't get trapped into spending the day at MOA.

Put it this way - they knocked down a baseball stadium and filled the site with three stories of shops at which you cannot buy a 2x4, a shotgun shell, or a head gasket. Believe me, you do NOT want to stroll around that place all day.
.

Posted by: nathan bissonette at June 13, 2005 02:14 PM

I would agree with Nathan's remarks on the MOA. Avoid it at all costs. The Mill City Museum is a good place to hit. After that you can walk along the river, cross the Stone Arch Bridge, etc. Heck, you walk over to Keegan's from there and have a beer or three. After you wash my car.

Posted by: the elder at June 13, 2005 03:12 PM

Wash your car????

What do I look like, Paris Hilton??

(Actually, I look more like that big burger that outweighs her head.)

Posted by: Dave in Pgh. at June 13, 2005 05:50 PM

If you'll be in the Twin Cities, I'd recommend Ft. Snelling. Ideally, you'd want to go when the reenactors are doing their thing, and make sure you leave yourself enough time to look around.

If you plan to go to the north part of the state, you might want to check out the Iron Range. There are several museums, and at least one open pit mine that you can visit. There is also Soudan Underground Mine State Park, which looks interesting, but I've yet to go. Perhaps someone a bit more native than I am can give you more information.

Also, the road from Duluth along the north shore of Lake Superior is quite pretty, and somewhere between pleasantly cool and downright cold even when the rest of the state is oppressively warm and humid.

Wherever you go, though, don't forget the bug repellant, and if you've been out in the woods, check for ticks when you get to your hotel room (or wherever) at night.

Posted by: Doug Sundseth at June 13, 2005 07:14 PM

Find a big body of water and get in a boat. Fish, or just cruise around looking for trouble. That's about as Minnesotan as you can get.

Posted by: RBMN at June 14, 2005 12:09 AM

Take a Tank Ride (with live cannon fire!!!)
http://www.tankride.com/tankrides.html

And how could anyone not mention "The Spam Museum" in Austin, MN. (1937 Spam Blvd).

Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam

Posted by: JamesPh. at June 14, 2005 01:06 AM

Paddleboat cruise on the Mississippi is one I recommend to everyone coming here for the first time. And locals can join in and be amazed, too.

Once you're in the area, check out http://marcy-holmes.org/resources/tourism.html which has a bunch of things near my neighborhood. Easy to fill a day with that list before heading to Keegan's for refreshment.

Posted by: DaveP at June 14, 2005 08:19 AM

There are some mighty fine suggestions here.

I think a day that began at the Minnesota Institute of Art or the Walker Museum, had a tank ride in the middle, and a showing at Keegans in the evening would be a good day by any definition.

I'm told some of the breweries in New Ulm give tours - August Schell is the one that jumps to mind.

And a ride up to Duluth and the North Shore, I agree, is essential. A daytrip from Duluth up to Gooseberry Falls, Grand Marais and the Split Rock Lighthouse is a lot of fun.

Posted by: mitch at June 14, 2005 10:52 AM

If you want a brewery tour, don't bother going to New Ulm. Summit in St. Paul has tours every Saturday and the beer is better too.

Unless there is a good exhibit in town, I'd pass on the Walker (although the Sculpture Garden is a good spot for photo ops). The MIA is better, but if it's nice don't waste your time indoors.

Posted by: the elder at June 14, 2005 03:40 PM

Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions. I plan to be spending at least five days, so I ought to be able to fit everything in with little difficulty.

I don't plan on visiting the Walker, at least not the inside. I'll stop by just long enough to see if my kids recognize the fighting robot head from Toy Story 2.

Posted by: Dave in Pgh. at June 14, 2005 05:14 PM

Head out to Lake Minnetonka in the western burbs. Take a ride on the old trolley boat, running between Wayzata and Excelsior, about 6 miles. Stop in at Lord Fletchers on the lake for a beverage or five, and some incredible people watching.

Just don't try to get a fishing boat on the lake over a sunny weekend.

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