About 10 questions regarding Cathy's trip to Minnesota, for the2nd time this year

Cathy spend the weekend coming and going to Minnesota! Let's find out more!

1. Cathy, why did you go to Minnesota AGAIN?
To a wedding, of course, my nosy friend! My BFF's youngest son was married in Mille Lacs/Onamia.

2. Where/what the heck is Mille Lacs?!
It's a beautiful area about 2 hours north of Minneapolis, my geographically challenged friend. On an Ojibwe Indian Reservation, there's a big casino and resort. There's also a big lake. And did I mention the casino?

3. Okay, we'll bite on the casino. How'd you do?
Your concern is appreciated, my thoughtful friend. I'm chicken to play 21 and I suck at slots. Even penny slots. In other words: I did badly. But it was fun trying because they have free pop.

4. Free pop? Weren't you too sloshed from the free booze?
Unfortunately not, Kemosabe. Mille Lacs is a dry county. I mean, desert dry. Nada. Smoking at the casino--okay. Drinking at the casino--doesn't happen.

5. So how cold was it in Minnesota? We're sure winter has hit up there.
Not so much, my meteorologically inclined friend. While no record warm temperatures were set, it was a balmy 66, although much more cloudy with more chances for rain.

6. How about the fall color? Past peak?
I'd say, just at peak, my nature-loving friend. Many more reds and yellows than we see here. Also, more evergreens of the pine persuasion.

7. Okay, so you flew into Minneapolis. We know the airport is right next door to THE MALL of America and your personal Mecca, IKEA. Did you bite?
Fifty-fifty, my shopoholic friend. Indeed we could not pass THE MALL without a short lunch stop at Bubba Gump's and a quick dart into Marshall's. So sadly, IKEA must wait for another day.

8. In this time of financial crisis, how do you gauge the mood of the traveling/gambling public?
A discerning question, my inquisitor. Airports: busy. Airplanes: VERY full, to standby levels. Mall: Busy. Casino: Packed. Topics of conversation: Anything BUT the value of one's 401K.

9. And how was the wedding?
Tip-top and smashing, Miss Manners. The bride and groom, teachers both, were young and beautiful; the bridal party a fun-loving bunch; the families pleased with the union; the ceremony, heart-felt and joyous; the reception, a damn fine party. And did I mention the cake?

10. So, was the manic pace of the trip worth it?
Any trip that includes a visit to the Mall of America and wedding cake, my solicitious friend, is more than worth it. Plus, we saw two windmills on the way to the event. And, we got to dance to Hey, Ya! Now that's my kind of reception.

About when you travel, it's hard to write

Even though we had free internet access at the Radisson we were at in Minneapolis, it was all I could do to keep up with some necessary work emails and to check my Gmail occasionally, much less craft a coherent post.
Not that I spend days tweaking my entries anyway!
Until I get my brain back in gear and my fingers back in the keyboard just let it be known that:
10 hours in a car is long time.
Wisconsin is a big state.
Minnesota is very cold.
The Mall of America is very big.
IKEA is very fun.
Even girls play hockey in Minnesota, as evidenced by the team staying in the same hotel.
Nobody goes to the MOA on a weekday, but watch out on the weekend.
10 hours in a car is still a long time on the way home.
But it wasn't conducive to writing!

About IKEA and 8 Mile Road

What do I think of when I think of Detroit? CKLW, that's what, because when I grew up in northern Ohio in the late '60s and early '70s, that was the radio station we listened to. Detroit/Windsor, 50,000 watts of pop and Motown music wonder. I knew Detroit by the radio--the streets, the suburbs, the businesses, the music. (I'd been there a couple times too--the Henry Ford museum, Belle Isle. Not enough to count.)
I knew Detroit was rocked by the same kind of riots--even worse--than in Cleveland, neighborhoods burning, a city divided.
But when I thought of Detroit, it was the music, the cars, what to me at 14 or so seemed the height of cool.
By the time I was a junior in high school, our radio-listening habits changed--we started listening to FM stations out of Cleveland, and Detroit faded from view.
And now, so often it's portrayed a a city in trouble, automotive industry struggling, just one more rust-belt urban area on the downhill slide.
Or not all?
We went to IKEA in Canton, Michigan, this weekend. And that area seems to be anything but struggling. Plymouth, Canton, Novi--those area seemed alive and kickin' to me. Lots of shopping, upscale stores and dining, busy busy busy--no sign of urban blight anywhere.
I was watching the new last night and they were having quite the gala at the newly refurbished art museum, I believe--the reporter kept referring to the place by its initials and I had to infer just what was going on.
But it was tux and gown, jewels and diamond cuff link kind of grand, and a good time was being had by all--everyone seemed quite pleased with the facility, and predicted it would do great things for Detroit.
Well, between wanting to see the Henry Ford complex again, and desperately needing to go to IKEA again (now, that was FUN shopping!), and check out some other shopping we spotted, and being curious about the art museum, and the guys wanting to check out the baseball stadium for some time, I think another trip might be in order.
We passed 8 Mile Road. My memories of all the businesses I used to hear advertised there--and Eminem's movies--got all mixed up in my head.
Well, how about you? What are you thinkin' about urban renewal?

About parades, the Midwest, and Milan, Ohio

Now, the way you say Milan is MY-lan, not mah-LAN, like in Italy, because believe me,you are not there.
No, Milan, Ohio, is about 20 miles south of Lake Erie, and its big claim to fame is being The Birthplace of Thomas Edison. Little house. Nice tour.
If I were writing an historical blog, I would also mention that Milan used to be the biggest shipping port in the country, because of a canal that ran between it and Lake Erie. The canal is long gone--as dead as Edison.
Here's another cool thing about Milan, though--they have one damn good festival. With one fun parade.
I don't know if melons of any type are even grown around Milan anymore, but the festival doesn't care--it's the Milan Melon Festival, and it may be the only place in the universe where you can get both watermelon sherbet and cantaloupe ice cream.
Milan has a little town square that's usually quiet and green, with some benches, and big trees, and a gazebo. During the festival, it's hot and noisy and crowded and full of food vendors and ringed by rides and craft tents and music, and it's all wonderful.
We always go up on Sunday to have festival food for lunch (for the record: bloomin' onion, fresh corn on the cob, and a cantaloupe ice cream cone) and watch the parade.
The parade is a cacophony of bands and baton troops and church floats, firetruck sirens and horns blaring.
And all the royalty of northern Ohio festival shows up, from the basket queen from Berlin Heights to the Dam Festival Queen of Monroeville to the Port Clinton Walleye Festival Queen. All there, dressed in their royal best, slowing waving to the admiring crowds.
And we waved back, in between standing up a dozen times for the veteran groups and color guards, marching by with the flag.
And who got the biggest crowd reaction? I think it was a tie...between the Ohio State University float (was that a real cheerleader on there?) and Spongebob.
Well, how about you? Did you enjoy a visit from a TV cartoon character this weekend?

About roadkill

And how's THAT for a segue from yesterday's canine inspired post!?
Because, on my way up to Ang's on Thursday later afternoon, I came across rather odd roadkill, which is saying something for me.
I think it was a goose, and it was right in the middle of the lane, and somehow in its demise, its wings were sticking straight up in the air. It made such a large hunk of roadkill, everyone was actually slowing down to go around it. And on Hilegas Road, that's quite a concession from the NASCAR-lovin' crowd.
Remember, you're reading the blog of someone who drives to work everyday on U.S. 24 West, mostly in Huntington County. I believe that certain segments of this highway are designated as "Highway of Vice Presidents" [Thank you, Dan Quayle]. [Ed.note: I was incorrect. S.R. 9 has the V.P. designation.] I think there is a much more appropriate moniker for the byway:
Roadkill Road. [I suspect some would say: vice presidents=roadkill, but no politics on a Saturday.]
Because U.S. 24 is a roadkill zoo for animals, of such great quantity and variety I believe it really should be written up in travel books as a "must-see" ride for car-vacationing tourists.
The dead things I've seen on my 15-mile stretch! Everything from the expected puppies, kittens, cats and dogs, viewed with sadness because someone either should of loved them...or did.
So many raccoons, opossums, woodchucks and squirrels you'd need that googol number to count 'em.
Worst, and biggest of all, the deer. The carnage a deer makes by the side of the road, or in the median, just shouldn't have to be viewed at 7:30 a.m. In certain seasons of the year, maybe three dead deer along the way.
Most unusual: a dead fox. Reddish brown fur. Fluffy tail. I've seen an alive one too--now that was cool.
I think the state police or the county sheriff have folks they call to pick up the bigger specimens. And that fox--I wouldn't be surprised if someone with an interest in taxidermy claimed that one. They are pretty rare to see.
But the little things--oh no. They stay put for our viewing enjoyment, and we get to witness the spectrum of disintegration.
No, I have never seen anyone picking up the roadkill whom I thought was going to eat it.
No I have never taken pictures of roadkill.
Yes I find it almost impossible to look away from the roadkill as I pass it.
The worst: skunk. Because their impression lingers on.
Well, how about you? How do you avoid roadkill?