Journal

Late Summer 2016 Road Trip - Around Denver

I cannot express how much I enjoyed being in the forest in the mountains around Denver.  Partially cause it reminded me, sort of, of the cabin of my Great Grandma Mimi around SLC.  And part of it was probably the general recovery of lack of oxygen from coming down the mountain.  I kind of like Denver, pretty expensive though.

Late Summer 2016 Road Trip - Wyoming

Late Summer 2016 Road Trip - South Dakota

Twin Cities Obligatory Food Photos

Spoon and Stable

We went to brunch and had several pastries (including my semi-obsession with croissants).  The best hash browns I've ever had, wonderful bacon (yes those thick slabs behind the hash browns are bacon)

The Bachelor Farmer & Marvel Bar

We shared:

  • Smooth duck liver pate, preserved vegetables, mustards
  • Salt-cured foie gras, arugula, cherriette radishes, cucumbers, pickled shallots, red wine vinegar
  • Sautéed ramps, parmesan, lemon
  • Warm popover, honey butter

Shannon had, "Roasted Scallops, wild rice, green garlic, lovage, asparagus broth" and I had "Duck Confit, wilted nettles, spelt, thyme, sweet and sour rhubarb", then for dessert we had "Chocolate cake, peanut butter ice cream, fudge, fleur de sel" and Vanilla Bean Panna cotta with blackberry jam? (the rhubarb one ran out, it made me sad)

At the marvel bar, I had Old Man and the Sea, Oakenshield, London Bridge, and Shanon had Candycane.  Fantastic experience all around.  TBF has shot up to one of my top five meals of all time.

Pig ate my Pizza (PAMP)

We weren't super hungry, but I didn't want to eat later and spoil the appetite for TBF.  So we shared Hog Tots and Royale with Cheese pizza.  Quite enjoyable.

Tiny Diner

This was relatively close to our first stop for coffee (Angry Catfish), so we headed over here and had a good meal.  The buttermilk biscuits!  Wonderful.

A Baker's Wife Pastry Shop

Very buttery croissant.

Short notes about Mason City

There is a surprising amount of public art in at least the downtown area.  Some is from this or that fund and some are in remembrance of teachers, parents or grandparents.  I find this a much nicer way to remember someone rather then a marker in a field of other markers. Something to think about. 

The MacNider Art Museum has a very eclectic collection.  Though nudity often exists in art, I was unaware of a nudity in any Grant Wood piece, which they had.  

I am glad the Vision Iowa program was able to provide a big investment into the Historic Park Inn. Such a beautiful building both inside and out. 

The area that we stayed in was generally pretty walkable and after the sun started to show up, it was nice to walk around in. 

Late Summer 2016 Road Trip - Day 3 - Chapel in the Hills, Rapid City, South Dakota

I was really looking forward to coming here.  I'd be on my own, I'd be able to take photos, I'd see the sunrise as it came up.  A place like this, clearly has a connection to the heritage history that I was was raised in.  Even though the Nordic heritage doesn't make up a majority of my heritage, it is what I remember.

This morning was interrupted by a doe and a couple of fawns, crossing my path while the sun rose.  It was a beautiful day and morning.  So glad I made the stop.

Big thanks to Brian, who gave me a little extra access that morning.

Late Summer 2016 Road Trip - Day 2 - Creston Dinosaur, South Dakota

Why here?  It was clearly on our way to Rapid City.  It has the appeal of trying to attract business to a town that no longer exists.  I just struck me as interesting.  Do I wish we could've gone closer?  Sure, but it wasn't my land, so, the photo os from a bit away.

Late Summer 2016 Road Trip - Day 2 - Badlands, South Dakota

You hear things, you see thing, but Badlands is amazing.  It's just a stunning display of time, rock water and wind.  I'm so happy we went.  After going to, rolling my eyes at, then leaving Wall, we headed out to the lesser developed part of the park (gravel path) and continued through that to the end of the park.

We got a chance to see a group of buffalo, where only a handful of people where there (including one with a lens the size of my lower leg.