Traveling Fool

Sometimes I feel like a combination between Sir Gawain looking for the Holy Grail, Don Quixote tilting at windmills, and a dork. This is one of those times. I noticed many years ago that Minneapolis has some unique manhole covers, but I never did anything except enjoyed them. After my enjoyable hunt for those pianos I felt like I needed another mission. The real challenging thing (or just sad) is that I believe several of them have been removed because of the construction on Nicollet Mall. So, this may be a really short exercise, but here are the covers I found this morning, all along 6th & 7th Streets, these were between Nicollet and Hennepin Avenues. There are also a few sites that give more information: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/minneapolis-manhole-covers  and http://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura/2015/06/22/a_series_of_minneapolis_manhole_covers_mix_whimsical_design_with_urban_planning.html Enough chit chat. Here are the photos. Hot dogs and hamburgers. Pa...

Prince was here in spirit It's that time of year here in Minnesota, all of the counties have held their county fairs and the winners have made their way to St. Paul to show their wares, crafts or animals, and the various food vendors are getting ready for a very busy two weeks. Now, lest you think this is going to be an essay on the makings of a state fair, rest easy. This is a love story to food...Whoa, that's pretty pompous. Okay, it's some pictures and descriptions of my annual trek to the Minnesota State Fair with one of my very good pals. It's been 'annual' for about six years; and we've been perfecting our visit for that time: a plan on what to eat and when, when to go and for how long. People that go tend to have their own plan and rhythm based on their family obligations, traditions and past experiences. This has been the best year that I can remember as far as weather; a couple of rainy moments, but nothing too bad and the heat has not been as...