Minnesota

This post isn't thrilling, but it is all about my lovley visit to the land of 10,000 lakes.   So, read it.

Minnesota and my friend T. are wonderful.  T. and I ate delicious food, had many great and trivial conversations, spent lots of time in the car, and enjoyed the coolness that is middle of July weather on Lake Superior.  Even the flight out was nice – chatted most of the trip with a lovely Brazilian-American woman who was on her way to Tel Aviv.  Interesting and fun – not much of the where are you from/what do you do banalities.  Refreshing.
 
On Lake Superior we stayed in Grand Marais at a place called the Mangy Moose.  Despite the grandeur of the lake and its environs, the most memorable part of Grand Marais was dinner Friday night.  On the way into town we drove by this inconspicuous restaurant – nothing special to see except for the sign – The Pie Place – and the potted geraniums out front.  The meal was perfect and the server delightful.  I had goat cheese tart and a gourmet salad with mandarin oranges, spiced pecans and pansies with a lovely maple syrup vinaigrette.  Beautiful.  Of course, the meal was followed with Pie.  I had blackberry peach and T. had the last piece of butterscotch pie (as a second choice to the no longer available sour cream raisin n – I’d never heard of sour cream raisin pie, but now am intrigued and shall make one when the weather cools). 
 
Went from Lake Superior to the Brainerd Lakes Area by way of Duluth.  We ate at Pickwick Restaurant and Bar in Duluth.  A lucky find, really.  I’m hungry, you decide, turn left and park.  A fun place in an old-school way.  Established in 1904 or 14.  Lots of dark wood, heavy chairs and tables, those crazy “marbled” mirror tiles on the walls, a seasoned waitress named Sandy.  Food was good solid, Minnesota fare.  We also wandered around the waterfront.  Lots of tourists, seagulls, and old anchors as public art. 
 
From Duluth to the Brainerd Lakes Area.  Beautiful country, boring drive.  After so much green, another field, another stand of trees is just another field, another stand of trees.  We spent our time near the towns of Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point.  The lakes have equally fun names – Loon Lake, Fishtrap Lake, Upper and Lower South Long Lake.  Sunday night we had cocktails on the dock, watching the sunset and listening to loons (not cicadas, vacation is all about a change from the normal).  I love loons.  Just Love ‘em.  I hear a “where am I?  Who am I?  Do I know you?” in their plaintive cries rather than haunting sadness.  That night we had wonderful beer and fried food on the deck of a bar/restaurant/we don't know what we are because we cater to folks vacationing at the lake.  Great view.  Great batter dipped waffle fries.  Mmmmm. 
 
Monday we headed back to the Twin Cities.  Met up with a friend of T. and had a great dinner at the Black Forest Inn.  Good German food, but not so great vegetarian selection, but my spaetlze with cheese was hearty and the side salad impressive.  Went to Cheapo Records and bought music.  Huge selection of local music there, good stuff Maynard.  I left with Low’s latest and T. left with Paul Westerberg’s 14 songs.

Then I flew home and went to my bed for sleeping.