For the first time this year, I intentionally watched the Vikings Sunday. The reason, of course, was simply because it was the last game played in the Metrodome, a “souvenir game” so to speak.
It turned out to be reasonably entertaining for a late-season game between two teams who had no playoff hopes on the line. It even had some unusual quirks, such as the Vikings playing a solid first half, and most of all, not blowing the lead in the fourth quarter.
Outside of the stadium during the final game, it was below zero temperature before even calculating the windchill. I would like to go back to the ‘70s and read some of the material from when the community leaders at the time would have been touting the benefits of building a domed stadium in Minnesota.
At least the new billion-dollar baby will have a roof as well. Pro sports are for the upscale crowd these days. Why would rich people want to sit outside in terrible weather for three hours plus? How many $12 beers can you drink when it’s below zero?
The Metrodome was state-of-the-art at the time it was built, and it’s sad to see it be tossed away like an old car that would cost more to repair than it’s worth. It served us well – mostly because we always knew there would be a game and it would be comfortable.
That’s where the Twins still missed the boat with Target Field. Milwaukee’s Miller Field has the modern appeal like a Target Field, but also has a retractable roof for those awful-weather days you know will occur. The retractable feature, despite the high price tag, gives everyone the best of both worlds – open sunshine when it’s nice, and protection when it’s not.
I won’t be bidding on any Metrodome memorabilia, but definitely hanging on to memories of a stadium that wasn’t perfect but still was ours!
Mouth-watering Omaha Steaks
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Restaurant review: Don Pablo's, Eden Prairie MN
Even though I’d been to Don Pablo’s in Eden Prairie with others before, it took several years to learn how to get there.
You can easily see it cruising along where 494 starts to head north. But it’s nestled between a couple hotels – over the underpass and through the service roads . . .
Over the years, we’ve had several failed attempts to get there where in which we simply gave up and went somewhere else. Now, after a couple times of reaching the destination, maybe the changes in plans weren’t so bad.
The best thing about Don Pablo’s was the pre-meal basket of chips, which come out slightly warmed. We hurried through these, and a second basket, so fast, it took the edge off the appetite for the meal. Although the chips were delicious, the salsa serving was on the stingy side.
Otherwise, things were extremely average. Nothing wrong, but nothing to get excited about. Plenty of menu choices. The food was ok, but just didn’t have the flavor like El Mazatlan.
And by the time we’re done, the tab runs up faster and higher than the value received. Although we know how to get there now, I don’t have a reason to hurry back.
You can easily see it cruising along where 494 starts to head north. But it’s nestled between a couple hotels – over the underpass and through the service roads . . .
Over the years, we’ve had several failed attempts to get there where in which we simply gave up and went somewhere else. Now, after a couple times of reaching the destination, maybe the changes in plans weren’t so bad.
The best thing about Don Pablo’s was the pre-meal basket of chips, which come out slightly warmed. We hurried through these, and a second basket, so fast, it took the edge off the appetite for the meal. Although the chips were delicious, the salsa serving was on the stingy side.
Otherwise, things were extremely average. Nothing wrong, but nothing to get excited about. Plenty of menu choices. The food was ok, but just didn’t have the flavor like El Mazatlan.
And by the time we’re done, the tab runs up faster and higher than the value received. Although we know how to get there now, I don’t have a reason to hurry back.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Business review: Edel's Meats, Montgomery MN
Walk into any small-town meat market and the aroma is overwhelming. It makes you salivate and it makes you buy. It even follows you out the door for a few minutes.
Edel’s Meats is no exception. They all smell great, but when we make a southern trip, I make a point to stop at Edel’s, not for the smell, but for a product: jiternice.
Jiternice (pronounced e-thur-nitz-uh) is a Czech liver sausage that reportedly uses almost every part of a pig. According to the label, ingredients are pork, barley, pork skins, pork snouts, pork tongues, pork hearts, natural juices, salt, spices, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Although there certainly are others who make it, the only place I know of to get it is at Edel’s in the town of Montgomery, MN, where Czech heritage means many names are spelled with very few vowels.
Jiternice is good when baked to a golden brown, although I confess to having warmed it in a microwave. Jiternice in a microwave is like making pizza in a microwave – you get it heated, but not the toasting effect.
Of course, these days there are more options, as with many products. Besides the traditional rings, you can also get jiternice in links and even patties.
Don’t think about what’s in it. Just give it a try. Here’s where to find it.
Edel’s Meats is no exception. They all smell great, but when we make a southern trip, I make a point to stop at Edel’s, not for the smell, but for a product: jiternice.
Jiternice (pronounced e-thur-nitz-uh) is a Czech liver sausage that reportedly uses almost every part of a pig. According to the label, ingredients are pork, barley, pork skins, pork snouts, pork tongues, pork hearts, natural juices, salt, spices, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Although there certainly are others who make it, the only place I know of to get it is at Edel’s in the town of Montgomery, MN, where Czech heritage means many names are spelled with very few vowels.
Jiternice is good when baked to a golden brown, although I confess to having warmed it in a microwave. Jiternice in a microwave is like making pizza in a microwave – you get it heated, but not the toasting effect.
Of course, these days there are more options, as with many products. Besides the traditional rings, you can also get jiternice in links and even patties.
Don’t think about what’s in it. Just give it a try. Here’s where to find it.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Books: Heaven (and hell)
Keeping in mind that we should not take man’s word over God’s word regarding what Heaven will be like, there are a number of books on the market that describe stories of heavenly experiences.
Individually, these make no claims other than telling their own stories and sharing them with others. Skeptics will argue that the narratives are made up, based on dreams or wishes, or any other reason to refute them.
Being careful to not put too much reliance on any one account, taken collectively, these books do present at least a description of what we can expect or hope Heaven to be like.
Many of the writers simply say some things about Heaven are inexpressible in human terms and descriptions, such as colors and music that are way beyond our current capacity to see and hear.
While we’re still here waiting for eternity, here is a list of thought-provoking Heaven-themed books, all of which are worth the time to read and re-read:
• “Heaven is for Real” (Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent) – The 4-year-old son of a Nebraska pastor nearly dies during emergency surgery; then over the next couple years reveals astounding descriptions of Heaven itself, sitting on Jesus’s lap, and telling family members about events in their lives that young Colton could not possibly have known about except having learned in his heavenly visit.
• “Heaven Changes Everything: Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind” (Todd and Sonja Burpo) – The follow-up book a few years later describing experiences after sharing their original story with others, and best of all, lessons learned and to learn from the process.
• “Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife” (Eben Alexander) – The near-death experience of a neurosurgeon and how he finds that the spiritual aspects of life trump scientific beliefs.
• “90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life” (Don Piper) – A Baptist minister involved in a major car accident tells his spiritual realm experiences. Actually, this one focuses more on recovery afterward with only a couple brief chapters of describing Heaven.
• “The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World” (Kevin and Alex Malarkey) – Another car accident story, this one in which son Alex survives and later describes angels, life beyond this world, and even meeting Jesus.
• “Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry” (Akiane and Foreli Kramarik) – Go back to “Heaven is for Real:” after Colton Burpo rejected numerous paintings of Jesus as not looking like him, Akiane’s was just right. They had no connection whatsoever, other than agreeing on the appearance of Jesus. This book tells Akiane’s story of how she became a widely known painter and poet while just a young child.
• “23 Minutes in Hell” (Bill Wiese) – A look at the other side and its heat, stench, and eternal suffering. This also includes an escape from hell with Jesus.
Again, being careful not to put too much stock in any one account, together these books paint a fascinating picture of what’s in store for us. There are many other books as well, and that gives us something to do while we’re still waiting.
Individually, these make no claims other than telling their own stories and sharing them with others. Skeptics will argue that the narratives are made up, based on dreams or wishes, or any other reason to refute them.
Being careful to not put too much reliance on any one account, taken collectively, these books do present at least a description of what we can expect or hope Heaven to be like.
Many of the writers simply say some things about Heaven are inexpressible in human terms and descriptions, such as colors and music that are way beyond our current capacity to see and hear.
While we’re still here waiting for eternity, here is a list of thought-provoking Heaven-themed books, all of which are worth the time to read and re-read:
• “Heaven is for Real” (Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent) – The 4-year-old son of a Nebraska pastor nearly dies during emergency surgery; then over the next couple years reveals astounding descriptions of Heaven itself, sitting on Jesus’s lap, and telling family members about events in their lives that young Colton could not possibly have known about except having learned in his heavenly visit.
• “Heaven Changes Everything: Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind” (Todd and Sonja Burpo) – The follow-up book a few years later describing experiences after sharing their original story with others, and best of all, lessons learned and to learn from the process.
• “Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife” (Eben Alexander) – The near-death experience of a neurosurgeon and how he finds that the spiritual aspects of life trump scientific beliefs.
• “90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life” (Don Piper) – A Baptist minister involved in a major car accident tells his spiritual realm experiences. Actually, this one focuses more on recovery afterward with only a couple brief chapters of describing Heaven.
• “The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World” (Kevin and Alex Malarkey) – Another car accident story, this one in which son Alex survives and later describes angels, life beyond this world, and even meeting Jesus.
• “Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry” (Akiane and Foreli Kramarik) – Go back to “Heaven is for Real:” after Colton Burpo rejected numerous paintings of Jesus as not looking like him, Akiane’s was just right. They had no connection whatsoever, other than agreeing on the appearance of Jesus. This book tells Akiane’s story of how she became a widely known painter and poet while just a young child.
• “23 Minutes in Hell” (Bill Wiese) – A look at the other side and its heat, stench, and eternal suffering. This also includes an escape from hell with Jesus.
Again, being careful not to put too much stock in any one account, together these books paint a fascinating picture of what’s in store for us. There are many other books as well, and that gives us something to do while we’re still waiting.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Book review: 'My Life on the Run'
“My Life On the Run” by Bart Yasso (pub. 2008):
From the Runner’s World icon, a great collection of stories, especially of extreme races that most of us would never ever considering attempting for one reason or many.
Going through deserts, up mountains, naked, with burros, biking across the US (twice), on Antarctica, Mt. Kilimanjaro, India, training a group from a rehab facility for a 22-mile relay, the US Mountain Running Team, getting married in Italy and running a marathon the next day, and finally being inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions – the list goes on, each an interesting tale. The distance alone rules out most of us. Then add the extreme conditions or circumstances. He also tells of battles with addiction and Lyme disease. All told with humorous touches.
Yasso also describes inventing the “Yasso 800s” workout, which in many cases, gives a reasonably accurate prediction to a marathoner’s finishing time. There also is the reaction from one guy who didn’t get it right and changed the name (it rhymes).
The book also includes several suggested training schedules for everything from a 5k to a full marathon, each at three levels for beginner, seasoned, and hard-core. I myself will stick to my on-the-fly daily jaunts rather than a rigid schedule because, at my level, it works for me and keeps me interested.
As for apparel, there’s a discussion about running being a free-for-all as to what’s acceptable to wear. Unlike other sports, almost anything goes. Some “stunt runners” will do an entire race in boots or costume. I keep it on the plain side, but I guess I fit in.
At the end, is a series of short items about specific runners and another series about races around the world. About our own TC Marathon, besides the now familiar term as the “most scenic urban marathon in America,” Yasso also describes it as one of best-organized marathons in the country. Agreed.
Bart’s slide show is entitled “Never Limit Where Running Can Take You.” More great advice from someone who’s been there, literally.
From the Runner’s World icon, a great collection of stories, especially of extreme races that most of us would never ever considering attempting for one reason or many.
Going through deserts, up mountains, naked, with burros, biking across the US (twice), on Antarctica, Mt. Kilimanjaro, India, training a group from a rehab facility for a 22-mile relay, the US Mountain Running Team, getting married in Italy and running a marathon the next day, and finally being inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions – the list goes on, each an interesting tale. The distance alone rules out most of us. Then add the extreme conditions or circumstances. He also tells of battles with addiction and Lyme disease. All told with humorous touches.
Yasso also describes inventing the “Yasso 800s” workout, which in many cases, gives a reasonably accurate prediction to a marathoner’s finishing time. There also is the reaction from one guy who didn’t get it right and changed the name (it rhymes).
The book also includes several suggested training schedules for everything from a 5k to a full marathon, each at three levels for beginner, seasoned, and hard-core. I myself will stick to my on-the-fly daily jaunts rather than a rigid schedule because, at my level, it works for me and keeps me interested.
As for apparel, there’s a discussion about running being a free-for-all as to what’s acceptable to wear. Unlike other sports, almost anything goes. Some “stunt runners” will do an entire race in boots or costume. I keep it on the plain side, but I guess I fit in.
At the end, is a series of short items about specific runners and another series about races around the world. About our own TC Marathon, besides the now familiar term as the “most scenic urban marathon in America,” Yasso also describes it as one of best-organized marathons in the country. Agreed.
Bart’s slide show is entitled “Never Limit Where Running Can Take You.” More great advice from someone who’s been there, literally.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Restaurant review: Windmill Bar and Lounge, Mapleton MN
There aren’t a lot of places to eat in little Mapleton, MN (pop. 1,763). In fact, your only choice may be the Windmill Bar and Lounge on Highway 22, and on a Saturday, you’ll have to wait until 5 p.m. for the kitchen to open.
Once it does, though, it serves the purpose. This is not your fancy decorated fine dining. It is, as the name implies, a small-town bar and lounge. There is plenty of seating, free popcorn, game activities, a few tv screens, and if you’re staying away from the chain-names, it’s a good choice.
The menu points out the owners are Tami and 9 Toes, but doesn’t provide the details on the Toe reference, which seems to be obvious. You can “toe-size” any burger, and the prime burger choice is the Toe Burger – already upgraded in size with additional toppings including jalapenos. There are plenty of non-burger choices as well.
Unless you want to drive 20 miles to Mankato for more choices, when in Mapleton, blow in to the Windmill.
Once it does, though, it serves the purpose. This is not your fancy decorated fine dining. It is, as the name implies, a small-town bar and lounge. There is plenty of seating, free popcorn, game activities, a few tv screens, and if you’re staying away from the chain-names, it’s a good choice.
The menu points out the owners are Tami and 9 Toes, but doesn’t provide the details on the Toe reference, which seems to be obvious. You can “toe-size” any burger, and the prime burger choice is the Toe Burger – already upgraded in size with additional toppings including jalapenos. There are plenty of non-burger choices as well.
Unless you want to drive 20 miles to Mankato for more choices, when in Mapleton, blow in to the Windmill.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Christmas shopping: part 5, unofficially finished!
Retraced a previous trip. Because one of my readers is also a gift recipient, I can’t describe it any more than an Undisclosed Retail Establishment (URE).
Upon entering the URE, it was painfully obvious that the intensity level of Christmas shopping has increased from our previous steps. I even suggested that one of us acquire a place in line while the other picks up what we came for. We toughed it out and both shopped and waited. Judging by the volume, maybe the economy isn’t as bad as it still seems to be.
With that task complete, we were then left at a crossroads: whether to go to a frequently-visited Walmart or an unfamiliar one. We chose the adventure of a new one. (They are different – the same components, but arranged differently – sort of like buildings Legos into different arrangements.)
It was at the “new” Walmart, I made these comparisons of hiking through Walmart and hiking through the Rocky Mountains:
• you can go out-and-back, a loop, or simply aim for a desired distance.
• the scenery changes as progress from along a creek, through pharmacy, open meadows, housewares, thick forest, electronics, etc.
• you are constantly presented with navigational decisions to make: stepping around the tree root or the fat lady, avoiding the jagged rock or group of tweenagers, and so on.
• it is fairly like to run into Duck Dynasty-like characters in either place.
• for the advanced, you can even use your GPS to return to your car(t).
There are some differences, though, such as very few elevation changes in Walmart, not more than a few inches. And although you protected from the weather, you can’t follow the sun as a guide. In fact, in a 24-hour Walmart, time is irrelevant since you don’t have worry about finishing before nightfall.
Upon entering the URE, it was painfully obvious that the intensity level of Christmas shopping has increased from our previous steps. I even suggested that one of us acquire a place in line while the other picks up what we came for. We toughed it out and both shopped and waited. Judging by the volume, maybe the economy isn’t as bad as it still seems to be.
With that task complete, we were then left at a crossroads: whether to go to a frequently-visited Walmart or an unfamiliar one. We chose the adventure of a new one. (They are different – the same components, but arranged differently – sort of like buildings Legos into different arrangements.)
It was at the “new” Walmart, I made these comparisons of hiking through Walmart and hiking through the Rocky Mountains:
• you can go out-and-back, a loop, or simply aim for a desired distance.
• the scenery changes as progress from along a creek, through pharmacy, open meadows, housewares, thick forest, electronics, etc.
• you are constantly presented with navigational decisions to make: stepping around the tree root or the fat lady, avoiding the jagged rock or group of tweenagers, and so on.
• it is fairly like to run into Duck Dynasty-like characters in either place.
• for the advanced, you can even use your GPS to return to your car(t).
There are some differences, though, such as very few elevation changes in Walmart, not more than a few inches. And although you protected from the weather, you can’t follow the sun as a guide. In fact, in a 24-hour Walmart, time is irrelevant since you don’t have worry about finishing before nightfall.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Hotel review: Fairfield Inn, Mankato MN
There’s something about sitting in a hot tub and being able to look out the window at snow-covered trees. Sort of a one-up on winter.
Besides the view, Fairfield Inn’s hot tub was a good temperature and in working order, with of course, plenty of chlorine, so make sure to shower. Best of all, the pool area had a tile floor that wasn’t that false-gravel texture that hurts tender bare feet.
The room and bed was clean and comfortable, but with several small half-pillows on each bed. Worked sort of nice for being able to adjust them for comfort, but a new concept we hadn’t seen before.
There were several all-commercial cable channels, with only brief interruptions of actual programming. (Or is cable tv like that all the time now?)
Highlight of the stay was the morning breakfast – a wide variety of waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal, breads, rolls, muffins, etc. Keeping in the mind that it’s prepared in bulk and served over four hours, it was very well done for a hotel breakfast.
Hotel coffee can run in a very wide range from motor oil to delicious. This, too, was on the excellent side of the spectrum.
The only catch was, even with a decent-sized seating area, it was full to the point of having to sit and eat on a couch without a table. Good things draw a crowd.
All in all, for a pre-tax rate of $89, Fairfield is an excellent value in hotel choices in Mankato. Here's more.
Besides the view, Fairfield Inn’s hot tub was a good temperature and in working order, with of course, plenty of chlorine, so make sure to shower. Best of all, the pool area had a tile floor that wasn’t that false-gravel texture that hurts tender bare feet.
The room and bed was clean and comfortable, but with several small half-pillows on each bed. Worked sort of nice for being able to adjust them for comfort, but a new concept we hadn’t seen before.
There were several all-commercial cable channels, with only brief interruptions of actual programming. (Or is cable tv like that all the time now?)
Highlight of the stay was the morning breakfast – a wide variety of waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal, breads, rolls, muffins, etc. Keeping in the mind that it’s prepared in bulk and served over four hours, it was very well done for a hotel breakfast.
Hotel coffee can run in a very wide range from motor oil to delicious. This, too, was on the excellent side of the spectrum.
The only catch was, even with a decent-sized seating area, it was full to the point of having to sit and eat on a couch without a table. Good things draw a crowd.
All in all, for a pre-tax rate of $89, Fairfield is an excellent value in hotel choices in Mankato. Here's more.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Restaurant review: El Mazatlan, Mankato MN
Hadn’t been to what became my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Mazatlan in Mankato, for some time, but was glad to find it’s still there and thriving.
In many aspects, it’s like other Mexican restaurants with a colorful decor and an extensive menu of how many ways you can use the same ingredients to make different things. Add some Mexican music, and there was even soccer (futbol) on the tv screens.
But best of all, for some reason, El Mazatlan’s food always tastes great. This time, had the Burrito Cancun – chicken and shrimp in a burrito with onions, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream. Even the accompanying rice tasted better than most rice dishes.
El Mazatlan is located at 1525 Tullamore Street, near the corner of Madison Ave. (the main commercial strip) and Victory Drive. See the web site here.
And if you’re up for it, they even have 27- and 45-ounce margaritas in a variety of flavors.
In many aspects, it’s like other Mexican restaurants with a colorful decor and an extensive menu of how many ways you can use the same ingredients to make different things. Add some Mexican music, and there was even soccer (futbol) on the tv screens.
But best of all, for some reason, El Mazatlan’s food always tastes great. This time, had the Burrito Cancun – chicken and shrimp in a burrito with onions, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream. Even the accompanying rice tasted better than most rice dishes.
El Mazatlan is located at 1525 Tullamore Street, near the corner of Madison Ave. (the main commercial strip) and Victory Drive. See the web site here.
And if you’re up for it, they even have 27- and 45-ounce margaritas in a variety of flavors.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Book review: The Big Open
“The Big Open” by Rick Ridgeway (pub. 2004). Remember, reading books about mountain climbing makes living through a Minnesota winter pale in comparison.
This one isn’t about climbing, but about climbers on a month-long trek through remote Tibet in search of migration routes and calving grounds of the chiru, a type of antelope. May not sound suspenseful, but the observations, thoughts, and feelings are a good read.
The trekkers are:
• Ridgeway, who was among the first Americans to summit K2 some 25 years earlier.
• renowned photographer/climber Galen Rowell. Sadly, unknown at the tim, this turned out to be Rowell’s last expedition before he and his wife died in a plane crash a few weeks after the trek.
• Conrad Anker, professional mountaineer.
• Jimmy Chin, 28, the youngster of the group.
Unlike some other expeditions, this group got along amazingly well while they traversed the wilderness to find the chiru and extend the research of wildlife biologist George Schaller. Their goal was to document aspects of the chiru to reduce or eliminate pouching of the animal before it went extinct – hides were used for expensive shahtoosh scarves. They built their own rickshaws to carry about 250 pounds of gear and supplies each for their walk across nowhere.
Some samples:
• After a long day of traveling, Ridgeway was exhausted and worried about getting pneumonia. The group debates whether to set up camp or go further. Rowell offers to scout ahead and takes off running, returning in a jog half an hour later. Ridgeway: “We have been pulling our rickshaws for ten hours. For the last four hours we have been trudging uphill at an elevation above 17,000 feet. Galen is 62 years old. How does he do it?”
• Dramatic point: crossing what they named the Gorge of Despair, they hear Rowell scream and start thinking about how badly injured he might be and that there’s no help whatsoever in the isolated area, only to find he had slipped and his camera got wet.
• After finding the sought-after chiru calving grounds, the men split up for a day in different directions. Ridgeway, without a camera, comes within touching distance of a newborn. Back at camp, he mourns missing the opportunity to record the moment as the others say they didn’t get close – but later reveal the fantastic shots and video they actually did get.
With the mission complete, in the last 100 miles on the way out, what do you expect these guys to do? They stop to climb a mountain – a relatively smaller one that could be scaled and descended in two days, but one that also gave them an overview of the land they had just traversed.
After caching some of their supplies and equipment and heading for the mountain, they realized they left behind passports and $10,000 in cash to be used for transportation home. They looked around at the remote surroundings and lack of human habitation.
Ridgeway wrote: “We look at each other, shrug our shoulders, and keep going.”
Toward the end, Ridgeway and Rowell, both veterans of numerous expeditions, agreed this was one of their most fulfilling trips ever.
For more, see:
• photos and summary from National Geographic
• Ridgeway interview
• video on the trek
This one isn’t about climbing, but about climbers on a month-long trek through remote Tibet in search of migration routes and calving grounds of the chiru, a type of antelope. May not sound suspenseful, but the observations, thoughts, and feelings are a good read.
The trekkers are:
• Ridgeway, who was among the first Americans to summit K2 some 25 years earlier.
• renowned photographer/climber Galen Rowell. Sadly, unknown at the tim, this turned out to be Rowell’s last expedition before he and his wife died in a plane crash a few weeks after the trek.
• Conrad Anker, professional mountaineer.
• Jimmy Chin, 28, the youngster of the group.
Unlike some other expeditions, this group got along amazingly well while they traversed the wilderness to find the chiru and extend the research of wildlife biologist George Schaller. Their goal was to document aspects of the chiru to reduce or eliminate pouching of the animal before it went extinct – hides were used for expensive shahtoosh scarves. They built their own rickshaws to carry about 250 pounds of gear and supplies each for their walk across nowhere.
Some samples:
• After a long day of traveling, Ridgeway was exhausted and worried about getting pneumonia. The group debates whether to set up camp or go further. Rowell offers to scout ahead and takes off running, returning in a jog half an hour later. Ridgeway: “We have been pulling our rickshaws for ten hours. For the last four hours we have been trudging uphill at an elevation above 17,000 feet. Galen is 62 years old. How does he do it?”
• Dramatic point: crossing what they named the Gorge of Despair, they hear Rowell scream and start thinking about how badly injured he might be and that there’s no help whatsoever in the isolated area, only to find he had slipped and his camera got wet.
• After finding the sought-after chiru calving grounds, the men split up for a day in different directions. Ridgeway, without a camera, comes within touching distance of a newborn. Back at camp, he mourns missing the opportunity to record the moment as the others say they didn’t get close – but later reveal the fantastic shots and video they actually did get.
With the mission complete, in the last 100 miles on the way out, what do you expect these guys to do? They stop to climb a mountain – a relatively smaller one that could be scaled and descended in two days, but one that also gave them an overview of the land they had just traversed.
After caching some of their supplies and equipment and heading for the mountain, they realized they left behind passports and $10,000 in cash to be used for transportation home. They looked around at the remote surroundings and lack of human habitation.
Ridgeway wrote: “We look at each other, shrug our shoulders, and keep going.”
Toward the end, Ridgeway and Rowell, both veterans of numerous expeditions, agreed this was one of their most fulfilling trips ever.
For more, see:
• photos and summary from National Geographic
• Ridgeway interview
• video on the trek
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Restaurant review: Dahlgreen Golf Club, Chaska MN
Attended another event-type meal in Chaska, this one at Dahlgreen Golf Club. Well, it’s not “in Chaska” – it’s on a rural road south of Hwy 212, but a Chaska address.
I’d heard of it many times, but never been there. On a dark November night, it’s hard to size up the golf course itself. The clubhouse is a nice facility inside with a huge fireplace, but hosting night-time events apparently isn’t the norm – the outside lighting was almost non-existent, so even finding the front door was like looking for a sliced drive in the rough.
The meal was plain but adequate with two pastas, one in white sauce, one in red. Surprisingly, coffee wasn’t included in the meal package, so you had to go buy it at the bar.
Highlight was the mini-cream puffs which as part of the dessert along with a variety of cookies. They were just the right size to pop one at a time and savor the taste.
I’d heard of it many times, but never been there. On a dark November night, it’s hard to size up the golf course itself. The clubhouse is a nice facility inside with a huge fireplace, but hosting night-time events apparently isn’t the norm – the outside lighting was almost non-existent, so even finding the front door was like looking for a sliced drive in the rough.
The meal was plain but adequate with two pastas, one in white sauce, one in red. Surprisingly, coffee wasn’t included in the meal package, so you had to go buy it at the bar.
Highlight was the mini-cream puffs which as part of the dessert along with a variety of cookies. They were just the right size to pop one at a time and savor the taste.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Restaurant/hotel review: Oak Ridge Conf. Center, Chaska MN
Got the opportunity (obligation) to attend a fundraising event at Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center in Chaska.
An evening of rubbing elbows with well-dressed old rich white people. Now I know why I was there: I fit three of those descriptions, just not the one they were really looking for.
Step one was putting on my suit. A check of the pockets revealed where I’d been last in it – a co-worker’s funeral three years ago.
This muddies my blog categories because although we ate there, it was a banquet-type setting rather than a restaurant, and although it was at a hotel, we were there only for a few hours of an event.
Oak Ridge is an elegant facility. You can poke around for more details here.
Geographically, it appears to be the hotel that would be associated with any major events at Hazeltine National Golf Club, which is just a triple-bogey to the east.
The three-course meal was served by white-gloved waiters and waitresses over a period of time equal to seven innings of a Twins game.
Ahhh, fine dining. As I buttered my dinner roll, I smiled at the irony of why eating a hard, crusty piece of bread while wearing a tie is thought to be enjoyable. All in all, the food was fine, but realistically I could have gotten the same menu items from Perkins for one-quarter of the cost, albeit without the wine.
I’ll give ‘em one point for the dessert – which no one at our table was able to exactly identify, but it came closest to chocolate cheesecake embellished with whipped cream.
The best moment of the evening was the opening prayer, including a request that we let go of our entitlement mindset and focus on giving. Appropriate words for any time.
An evening of rubbing elbows with well-dressed old rich white people. Now I know why I was there: I fit three of those descriptions, just not the one they were really looking for.
Step one was putting on my suit. A check of the pockets revealed where I’d been last in it – a co-worker’s funeral three years ago.
This muddies my blog categories because although we ate there, it was a banquet-type setting rather than a restaurant, and although it was at a hotel, we were there only for a few hours of an event.
Oak Ridge is an elegant facility. You can poke around for more details here.
Geographically, it appears to be the hotel that would be associated with any major events at Hazeltine National Golf Club, which is just a triple-bogey to the east.
The three-course meal was served by white-gloved waiters and waitresses over a period of time equal to seven innings of a Twins game.
Ahhh, fine dining. As I buttered my dinner roll, I smiled at the irony of why eating a hard, crusty piece of bread while wearing a tie is thought to be enjoyable. All in all, the food was fine, but realistically I could have gotten the same menu items from Perkins for one-quarter of the cost, albeit without the wine.
I’ll give ‘em one point for the dessert – which no one at our table was able to exactly identify, but it came closest to chocolate cheesecake embellished with whipped cream.
The best moment of the evening was the opening prayer, including a request that we let go of our entitlement mindset and focus on giving. Appropriate words for any time.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Christmas shopping: part 4, almost done!
This time, headed for Dick’s Sporting Goods at Hopkins Crossroad but took a detour into Michael’s, the Land of of Unnecessary Things to Buy.
I was happy to see that the small pieces of craft Styrofoam that we bought recently at Walmart for a school project for a whopping $7 a piece were $12.99 at Michael’s. Ouch.
We did find a nice picture frame for the neighbors (hope they’re still not reading this), and eventually a crafty string called Raffia.
I was surprised when the clerk asked if I wanted a bag. “Yes” I said, thinking that I just spent $25 on Unnecessary Things, the least you could do is give me a bag.
What’s with stores these days that they don’t want to give you receipts, and now bags? Does the few inches of receipt tape, or a convenient plastic bag add that much to the bottom line?
Eventually, made it over to Dick’s, looking for a running headlamp as a gift. Our favorite salesman, Joe, did such as good job explaining what it does and how it works – even for reading – that I added one to my wish list as well.
On to Knollwood and a stop at Burger King. Haven’t been to BK for quite awhile it seems, as I didn’t know they know serve flavored ice drinks. I also gathered from a poster that BK now has a menu item called Big King. It appears to be two all beef patties, spcial sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. How original! Next time, I’ll have to try one.
Couple other quick stops and our Christmas shopping is nearly finished.
Until next time, unnecessarily yours . . .
I was happy to see that the small pieces of craft Styrofoam that we bought recently at Walmart for a school project for a whopping $7 a piece were $12.99 at Michael’s. Ouch.
We did find a nice picture frame for the neighbors (hope they’re still not reading this), and eventually a crafty string called Raffia.
I was surprised when the clerk asked if I wanted a bag. “Yes” I said, thinking that I just spent $25 on Unnecessary Things, the least you could do is give me a bag.
What’s with stores these days that they don’t want to give you receipts, and now bags? Does the few inches of receipt tape, or a convenient plastic bag add that much to the bottom line?
Eventually, made it over to Dick’s, looking for a running headlamp as a gift. Our favorite salesman, Joe, did such as good job explaining what it does and how it works – even for reading – that I added one to my wish list as well.
On to Knollwood and a stop at Burger King. Haven’t been to BK for quite awhile it seems, as I didn’t know they know serve flavored ice drinks. I also gathered from a poster that BK now has a menu item called Big King. It appears to be two all beef patties, spcial sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. How original! Next time, I’ll have to try one.
Couple other quick stops and our Christmas shopping is nearly finished.
Until next time, unnecessarily yours . . .
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Recommendation: Rock and Roll Christmas Spectacular
While putting up our Christmas tree, pulled out a CD of Rock and Roll Christmas Spectacular. Haven’t been able to see them for a couple years, but the music is always enjoyable.
RRXS is a group of professional musicians from the St. Cloud area who put together a series of holiday shows each year. There are shows next weekend in Chanhassen; otherwise it’s quite a drive to get to them, but still worth it.
Here’s their website and schedule.
Their performance includes original lyrics to traditional holiday songs, and sometimes a combination of melodies and lyrics you wouldn’t expect.
Without giving too much away, my favorites are Little Drummer Boy/Wipeout, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen to the tune and beat of Aqualung, including the flute solo.
If you can possibly see RRXS, I highly recommend it.
RRXS is a group of professional musicians from the St. Cloud area who put together a series of holiday shows each year. There are shows next weekend in Chanhassen; otherwise it’s quite a drive to get to them, but still worth it.
Here’s their website and schedule.
Their performance includes original lyrics to traditional holiday songs, and sometimes a combination of melodies and lyrics you wouldn’t expect.
Without giving too much away, my favorites are Little Drummer Boy/Wipeout, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen to the tune and beat of Aqualung, including the flute solo.
If you can possibly see RRXS, I highly recommend it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)