Daytripping: Breakneck Ridge

It was a beautiful fall day and we took a day trip up to the Hudson Highlands State Park for a hike. I'll admit I had some trepidation about going to a place called Breakneck Ridge, which is considered a somewhat advanced hike with steep rocks that had to be scrambled over (and yes, some people have fallen and died from the hike.) After packing more snacks than two people could eat in a week, it turned out to be just my kind of hike--rigorous and even difficult and scary at times, but really, really fun.

For the record, we did get lost briefly when the trail markers suddenly disappeared, and I did experience momentary panic. But then the two orthodox Jewish girls who we kept running into during the hike also got lost and wandered our way and we figured out where we needed to go. Whew.

10K Lakes Nice: Must. Stop. Eating.

I'm sure I've said this before, but I really love going home to MN. It's a combination of fond memories and the fact that I don't live there anymore, as well as the fantastic summer weather. There's something about driving with the windows down, cheesy Top 40 radio station blasting, on my way to eat something tasty and see some old friends that just makes me so blissfully happy.

This particular trip I saw a lot of people in a short period of time and I ate more food than I should have.


Here was my original food wish list from before I left and what I actually ate (in blue):

• Hot mini-donuts from the MN State Fair CHECK. 1 bag.
  
• French fries from the MN State Fair CHECK
• Cheese curds from the MN State Fair CHECK
• Something breaded and deep fried on a stick from the MN State Fair Not enough stomach space for this. I heard the bacon on a stick was good. The bucket of chocolate chip cookies was tempting also.

• Baker's Square french silk pie CHECK. I almost had to skip this one, I was so full. But it just wasn't right for me to not have some.
  

• Dairy Queen Girl Scout Thin Mint Blizzard CHECK. First night. Had a 2nd Blizzard on our last day.
  

• Hot Fudge malt from Snuffy's (or Annie's or Malt Shop) I had a malt from the State Fair Dairy Goodness Building. Not nearly as good as Snuffy's or Annie's.

• Torte slices from Wuollet bakery CHECK.
  

• Vietnamese food in Frogtown CHECK. Although at a fancier than expected spot.
  

• Arby's roast beef sandwich Sadly, no time for this--ended up having lunch with my friend Jon (from NY) who happened to be in town for work. I didn't think it was proper to take him to Arby's his first time in MSP.
• Eclairs from a big chain grocery store Too full. I went into a grocery store to get one, but just couldn't do it. However, I did get a slice of grocery store sheet cake. Fabulous.
  
• I've also been thinking of the cheese bread at Carbone's. I was never fond of their pizza, but that bread is good. No time for this.

One place I did go to that wasn't on the list is the Uptowner Cafe on Grand Avenue, in my old neighborhood. They make some great hash browns. And the bacon is thick cut--much better than anything you'd get in a New York diner.



















I also didn't mention the best sweet corn ever at the State Fair. So sweet and juicy! Rumor has it that the family that owns that corn stand only works the 12 days out of the year for the Fair and that's all, they turn such a huge profit.

I am currently on a deep-fried food detox. I am also in dire need of a nap.

MN State Fair: You Betcha!

I don't think there is any way to make it clearer: Minnesotans do not mess around when it comes to the State Fair. It's been around since 1859. The 320 acre fair grounds are located in the Twin Cities, and well over 110,000 attend each of the 12 days. Rumor has it we are one of the largest state fairs in existence, second only to Texas.

Also, I should mention we like our deep fried foods. Even better if on a stick.

We had the most delicious of treats: super sweet corn on the cob, cheese curds, fresh lemonade, french fries, malts from the Dairy Building and the best of the best, fresh hot mini-donuts.

48 hours in the MSP

Recently, I mentioned to a friend at work that I was craving a bologna on potato bread sandwich. Her response "Bologna and potato bread? Fortune, you're so ghetto even with all your fancy clothes."

I'm glad I didn't mention how I also like Fritos on white bread sandwiches...

Besides, I don't know if it's ghetto, so much as Midwest. We are the land of Jello mold salads. [I'm not saying it's right...]

So I'm jetting off to the Twin Cities for a quick 48 hours. This means that I only have two days to eat all of my favorites. Here's the plan:

• Hot mini-donuts from the MN State Fair (one bag minimum, I'm going to try for two)
• French fries from the MN State Fair
• Cheese curds from the MN State Fair
• Something breaded and deep fried on a stick from the MN State Fair
• Baker's Square french silk pie
• Dairy Queen Girl Scout Thin Mint Blizzard
• Hot Fudge malt from Snuffy's (or Annie's or Malt Shop)
• Torte slices from Wuollet bakery
• Vietnamese food in Frogtown
• Arby's roast beef sandwich
• Eclairs from a big chain grocery store
• I've also been thinking of the cheese bread at Carbone's. I was never fond of their pizza, but that bread is good.
  

I think if I manage to eat all of the above, I will probably have consumed about 10,000 calories to honor every lake we have in that glorious state. Sure I'll feel gross and my jeans will be tight, but it will be awesome!

Overheard in AC

Trump Plaza restaurant at lunch:

Hostess: Do you have a Trump One card?

Hungover dude with backwards baseball cap behind us: Uh, I don't, but the girl who's coming does.

Hostess: Okay. Can I have her last name?

Dude: Ummm...(looks at people behind him and shrugs)

The girl showed up shortly thereafter. She did not appear to be a prostitute and they seemed to have a nice lunch together. Perhaps they finally exchanged names?

High Rollin' in the City of Atlantic

It was Vickie's emancipation from her current employer and she had three days to play before the new job started. I'm always game for a trip, and the vacation bank is slowly recovering from the three (that many, really?) international trips I took earlier this year. We decided Atlantic City was our best bet. Vickie's sister Mindy and Sonya joined us.

I've only been to Atlantic City one other time. I was 18 and with my mom and cousin Hope. We won over $500 on the quarter slots. It was fantastic and exciting. The next morning we went back down to win more, but lady luck was not on my side: I got carded. Apparently, the legal gambling age in NJ is 21, not 18 as in MN. Woops. To make a long story short, Mom and Hope ditched me and I had to go back up to the hotel room to watch cable.

But this time, I am definitely of legal gambling age and can actually enjoy those free crappy watered down casino cocktails.

I'll come clean: I did not win this time. I lost about $85 total. Which isn't bad, and reassures me that I am not a compulsive gambler, but winning is always nice. Sonya was really the only one who came away with some extra money. Like, $250 extra. All was not lost, because when I got home, I found myself with a $250 tax refund. I am not sure why NYS is refunding me a second time, but I'm just going to go with it--so I am now up $130!

Regardless, we had a great time. We gambled, ate, strolled the boardwalk, shopped at the outlets, enjoyed a casino music act (Louie Louie!), and sunned ourselves on the beach. I like the cheesy charm of Atlantic City and the crazy variety of people who go there. The casinos can be a little overstimulating, and it's depressing to see the hard core gamblers at the tables who don't even think twice at putting down $100+ on a single bet--and losing, and the very old people with cigarettes hanging out of their mouths on the slots, but there is definitely a certain level of excitement and fun in the stinky seaside air.

My Irrational Fear of Domestic Cities

I'm preparing to go to a conference in Boston, MA later this fall. I will be staying downtown near Boston Commons (wherever that is.) I have only been to Boston once in my life and I think I was maybe 15 years old. Most of my travel has been international and I think it shows, because after my sister suggested I go check out a bakery that a distant relation owns, I replied, "but will it be safe for me to walk there? I don't know about using some other city's public transportation."

My sister (exasperated) then pointed out that I have navigated public transportation systems in about every major international city I have been to, including non-English speaking ones: Cairo, Taipei, Paris, Budapest, Tokyo...And that I have lived in seedier areas than downtown Boston and walked home at 4am. I'd be okay in Boston.

I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about American cities that makes me much more anxious than foreign countries. Maybe I've watched too much TV?