Some photos from an unusual foggy December day here.
Foggy Days
Millner Heritage Winery
I have now been to 11 different Minnesota wineries. A couple of them I've visited more than once. I'm not an expert but I do have a little experience. Well, back at the start of November before all the holiday insanity hit me I went to the one that I believe has been the best so far. The name of the place is Millner Heritage. The tour I was taken on was over an hour long and I learned more about wine than I had in all my previous visits. Everyone working was knowledgable about the product which has not always been the case at other places. We were greeted immediately when we walked in the door and offered a glass of mulled wine which I had never had before (I did enjoy it a great deal). I tasted 15 different wines and liked a great many of them. The whites were quite standout and I bought six different bottles that I served throughout the holidays. I really cannot say enough about what fun this place was and how everyone there seemed to be having a good time. I am really looking forward to going back when it is warm and I can walk around the grounds.
Snow
Franconia Sculpture Park
I've been on a mission to see the odd, wonderful things in Minnesota and the surrounding states. I've found and visited some places I had no idea were here and oh-so-cool. One such place is the Franconia Sculpture Park. In mid-October I went here as the sun set to explore. I was only there for an hour but next time I want to go longer as I didn't get to see everything. What I did see was so neat. Minnesota is full of creative people and this is one more great example of their work. Oh and I took lots of pictures.
Minnesota Monday, Wild Mountain Winery
In continuing to tour the Minnesota Wineries, a trek was made out to Wild Mountain Winery. It was a bit of a drive but the land around it is quite beautiful. The same day I spent part of the day in the town of Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Taking a boat ride and shopping in a great beads and gems store. The stop at the winery lasted a couple of hours most of the time spent exploring the grounds. We did a tasting as well and there was a wine on the menu that tasted just like lettuce. No kidding. It was quite odd. I do so enjoy a great deal of the Minnesota whites and here was no exception. The one thing I'd say as with some of the other ones I've been to, they really rush your tasting and that gets a bit tiresome. We usually end up asking for them to slow down so we can savour and enjoy what we have. Regardless of this, visiting the Minnesota winieries is turning into one of my favorite things to do.
Flashback Friday, NASA Vehicle Assembly Building
One of the best things I've ever had the privilege of doing is getting to tour the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building. It's no longer open to the public as it closed to prepare for work on getting to Mars. When I was there (About 3 years ago) it had not been open since the 70's and we were apart of the second group to get to go in. I was besides myself with glee. What's more is the Endeavor shuttle was inside waiting to be prepared for her final stop at the Smithsonian. I got to stand about 10 yards from a real space shuttle. Yes. Geek Girl Ultimate.
What to Eat Wednesday but on Thursday, The Chicago Diner
This is one of my favorite places to eat when I get to Chicago. I just love it, love it, love it. The food is so yummy. There was only one location of The Chicago Diner the last time I was there two years ago but now there is a second one. We drove straight to the new Logan Square location as soon as we got into town. It's a fancier location so it would make for a decent dress up dinner. The food was still so perfect. I love the diner building in the Halsted neighborhood but, boy does it get crowded. Of course, seeing so many people willing to eat veggie makes me pretty happy. I cannot recommend the breakfast food enough and if you're feeling decandent- definitely get a shake. The Vegan Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Shake was to die for...and I had a vegan poutine which I've never had before...wow! Certainly this wonderful eatery is only safe for me as vacation food. As I would probably eat far too many of these things otherwise. Best keep the 400+ miles between me and this magical place.
Lake Michigan
It is gloomy here this election day. So I was looking at pictures from my visit to Lake Michigan in Chicago about 6 weeks ago. It was a nice, warm fall day. I really love visiting the Great Lakes. I've been to Chicago many times at this point in my life. It's a place I like a whole lot. I have old favorite places to visit but I also always find something new each time I go. You can never be disappointed by Lake Michigan and this particular day was no exception. Have a great day!
Drinks in the Sky
Had a little visit to the Hancock Tower about 6 weeks ago. I had never been there. I enjoyed watching sunset from the deck a great deal. I highly recommend stopping by one of the great observation decks in Chicago. I have been to the Sears Tower a few times as well, though it's not called that anymore. I'm old school.
Taylors Falls
Some pictures from my day trip to a great town called Taylors Falls. I took a paddleboat ride on the river and walked around the main street. It's such a pretty area and a lot of people were out and about(these pictures were taken in the middle of August). There is a good deal of geological history in this part of Minnesota. Without earthquakes nor major erosion some of the rock formations in the midwest are millions of years old. You'd never know how much history is around here as Minnesota is a very polite and unassuming place. Mostly.
Wisconsin, Minnesota's Naughty Cousin
I've been to Madison, Wisconsin a few times. Most recently before going to see the Dita Von Teese show in Chicago. It's a fun town, full of good food, friendly people and great shops. I always enjoy stopping in. The food is ridiculous. A favorite breakfast place is Monty's Blue Plate Diner. The owner always stops by and he told us a very naughty joke this particular morning.
Fairy Festival Weekend at Ren Fest
I do a post about this every year now. My annual visit to the MN Ren Fest. This year for the fairy festival and perfect for a Minnesota Monday. Here is a billion pictures of the fairy house contest, the grounds, rainbows, details and really all the things that make Ren Fest so wonderful!
Padre National Seashore
I always try to get to an ocean if I am 3-4 hours from one. This does not happen too often but I was pretty excited to get to the Gulf Coast this year. I had always wanted to go to South Padre Island as a child and it never worked out for me to go. Isn't it funny all those things you hold onto from growing up that you become determined to experience regardless of how old you are? I certainly have been fufilling these missed opportunities as a kidult. A stop at a spectacularly crazy shop for trinkets was also in order. Hence the giant mermaid. Go off on Adventure!
Better Late then Never, What To Eat-Guero's Taco Bar
I'm a day or two off on my food posts but I do like putting them up since they seem to help people find vegan food. I get messages in my accounts about the pictures and I'm always happy to help. I love food and travel. I like finding new places and surprises. This is a place from my trip to Austin a couple of months ago. Austin is very vegan friendly. Guero's Taco Bar is no exception and I might add is a HUGE place. It does not look very big from the outside but it goes on forever and as such we were seated right away despite the big crowd. They have a seperate vegan menu. The margaritas were quite good but honestly, I think my favorite thing I ate was the baked beans. They were delicious. Not too salty or mushy. It's hard to find vegan baked beans as they tend to be cooked in animal stock but these were great. This is a popular, cheerful place and right on Congress Ave, you can't miss it.
Zilker Botanical Gardens
Back at the start of August I was in Texas for a week. We try very hard to not only visit big tourist sites but things a little more off the beaten path. One of the great things we found to visit in Austin, Texas was Zilker Botanical Garden. It was in the middle of the city near a very big park. It was a warm day and as such there were a lot of butterflies flitting about which made me very happy.
What to Eat Wednesday but on Thursday, Señor Veggie
In the last year I've been down to San Antonio twice. They have two fully vegan restaurants. I wish Minneapolis did as well. Anyway, we had gone to Green Vegetarian to find them unexpectedly closed. There was a woman there who sent us over to Senor Veggie. We were on our way to the Gulf Coast and wanted to have a nice meal before hitting the road. Neither of us had found this place yet and I am so glad we went. The food was delicious- especially the empanadas. I really could have eaten ten of them. The place was rather perfectly colored in the sense it was very bright orange and yellow with green. Like vegetables. Hehehe. Anyway, when I go back to San Antonio I will certainly seek this place out again. I always love having Mexican food down South. I love the Midwest but nowhere I've been around these parts has any comparsion.
I stayed somewhere fancy...
As we've been traveling the last few years we've used Airbnb a lot to find places to stay. It has worked pretty great for the most part. They are nice places and in good locations. However, on a recent trip to San Antonio, Texas I got to stay in a resort and even spend half a day at a spa there. It was quite fancy for me. There was a huge pool and a big veranda we went out on every night and even napped on. The staff was very friendly and helpful. You have to drive to get around Texas, there's no two ways about it. So being able to get good directions is pretty important. The Eilan Hotel seems to be pretty new and it was not super busy when we checked in on Tuesday but as the weekend came it became full of life. There is also residency on the grounds so there was a fair amount of kids in the evening which was bit a of surprise. The woman who did my facial even helped me solve a skincare mystery which I am very grateful for....
Austin City Limits
Some snaps from around Austin, Texas from my visit there about 6 weeks ago.
Cosmic Ascension
I am all about new things the last year. I mean I've never shunned them anyway but I've been actively seeking new experiences this past year. One of the new experiences I've had recently was to attend my first camp-out music and art festival. I had no clue what to expect and it was the first year of this particular festival. Cosmic Ascension turned out to be a pretty great and memorable experience. From camping with 6 of my friends to an amazing performance by Beats Antique. There was about 1500 people present for the three day event. I was so impressed by how nice and happy everyone was-I did not see or hear a single raised voice except in excitement. It was such a pleasant atmosphere. The land was breathtaking being on the White Earth Reservation, absolutely pristine. We had amazing food by Asase Yaa, who I can't wait to see again at TC Vegfest in a few weeks. There was cooking out, games, art, music and of course our two camp set ups. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing, right?
Blanton Museum of Art (or the time I realized I like taking pictures of naked people)
I went to this museum about a month ago to see the exhibit they had on Cats & Dogs. The Blanton Museum of Art is not a big museum which worked out well for me since I did not have a lot of time. Sadly, I was not allowed to take pictures of the Cats & Dogs exhibit but I did capture some snap shots only to go through them and realize so many of my favorite paintings contain the soft, curves of a naked lady. But of course. I mean we look nice. Don't get me wrong I also like naked men. Naked people. Anyway. The coolest thing to me was that I didn't get a lot of time to capture information about all the works but this awesome place has a database in which you can return time and again to read and enjoy the works. Thank you internet!
