Why We Need Rick Santorum *wink wink*

No, I haven't drank any acid-laced moonshine (that's what it means when someone refers to 'drinking the Kool-Aid' in my native-state.)The Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary caused such a stir (okay, just with the media) that I can't help but trot out some thoughts and predictions. Keep in mind that although I consider myself a Liberal Progressive Socialistic Democrat (and any other choice descriptions that annoy Conservative Republicans) and that these GOP candidates have zero chance of getting my vote, I am objective enough to give the contenders a fair assessment. You may not always agree with the beliefs and record of a candidate, but that doesn't mean that you can't judge them on their electability and general candidacy. So, from the next dropout to the man who might be occupying the White House, here goes:

Rick Santorum, the testy, family-focused, ultra-conservative from Pennsylvania, needs to pack his bags. He'll do alright in South Carolina with the gospel-according-to-Rick that people in the Palmetto State like to hear. Although he was eight votes shy of stealing Iowa from "The Mittiest" of former Massachusetts governors, his showing in New Hampshire was poor since he didn't bother to campaign there. Unfortunately, the Rickster's fundraising has yielded terrible results and he is quickly running out of cash. Santorum must have a 2nd place finish in South Carolina to continue to Florida. Good riddance.

Perhaps Jon Huntsman and Santorum should hop the next plane together. Although Huntsman's finances aren't as nightmarish as Santorum's, Conservatives just don't trust the guy--as they shouldn't. His job as
Ambassador to China came courtesy of President Obama and his governorship of Utah could be viewed as moderate in many ways. While his horrendous 1% showing in Iowa (he didn't bother to campaign there) was dismal, his 17%, 3rd place in New Hampshire was respectable. Unfortunately, he should've beat Ron Paul to be viewed as a serious contender. South Carolinians will smell a rat and he'll do poorly there. Anything less than 3rd place in the Palmetto State will send him packing, which is sad, since he's the one out of the bunch that I like best. Huntsman's probably the most genuine, sensible guy on the platform.

I'm a little nervous to say anything about Newt Gingrich. I think that the former Speaker will survive nicely in South Carolina; 2nd or maybe 3rd place. SC is around Newt's "neck of the woods" and he is well-liked there. He will go on to Florida, which is a very crucial state for him. He'll resonate with Conservative, Jeb Bush-old-guard followers there but I don't know how he'll fare against Romney or Ron Paul. Newt is one smart S.O.B. but his arrogance is a major turn-off and I think that my thoughts must be shared by others since his cash-flow isn't where it needs to be these days. Still, stay tuned...

Rick Perry, while close to being viewed in the same light of the R.I.P.-just-drowned candidacy of Michelle Bachmann, should certainly not be discounted. Not only will he do well in South Carolina, but he just might take 1st prize (remember: Romney is the front-runner but Romney is also a Yankee.) Perry's future in Florida looks a lot less certain, but his war chest is large, his debts are comparatively small and Southern states will be sympathetic to his rhetoric and folksy approach. If he could only shut his mouth and appear less confused on the stage. It's a question from a moderator, Governor. No one is expecting you to deciphyer ancient Egyptian code...

In any other election year, Ron Paul wouldn't have made it past New Hampshire. A 76 year-old Texas Congressman who isn't the moral preacher of the party, shoots off the hip, doesn't always vote with the posse, and spouts all sorts of Libertarian views that both confuse (and sometimes frighten) mainstream Republicans, shouldn't have this kind of traction. But 2012 isn't a normal election year, folks. And I think that Paul's candidacy is seen by many as a godsend. His views and ideas, many of which sound downright insane to Liberals, are growing on the GOP. His often-calm, grandfatherly manner appeal to many at a time when the Extreme Right predicts Armageddon should the President be re-elected. His 2nd place finish in New Hampshire wasn't necessarily close but that, combined with the strong percentage of his Iowa showing renders him formidable. I expect him to place in the top three in South Carolina and in Florida as well. Paul might be a senior who has spent twenty-plus years in Congress, but he has Obamaesque youth support and a considerable chunk of change. Watch out for this guy...

Mitt Romney is not exciting, and that's why there are so many Democratic Party-like fractions within the Republican Party. Helpful endorsements from "establishment Republicans" and popular figures such as Gov. Chris Christie have helped the GOP get over "the Mormon thing" and make him seen more electable. Although Romney's undeniably moderate tenure as Massachusetts Governor and noticeable flip-flops are troublesome, he seems a safe, stable bet to a growing segment of Republicans. Comparatively speaking, Romney, his espoused beliefs, and bland, parsley-like personality seem reliable when other GOP candidates should be on "Jerry Springer" or "Girls Gone Wild". Mitt is a step above John McCain: not totally Conservative but not totally nuts, either. South Carolinians wont yell "Mitttt!" when he walks into rooms down there (think "Cheers") but he'll do much better in Florida. As long as he doesn't place fifth or six in either state, the Republican Party will settle on him. Depending on who he picks as a running mate, he may very well be the guest of honor at a few inaugural balls on January 20, 2013.

I don't rule out a thing.

The Gays, The President and AK-47s on Sundays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAJNntoRgA

You watched that, right? I'm sorry, but did I miss something? Are
children no longer allowed to "openly celebrate Christmas"?! Governor
Perry, are you telling me that the yearly children's Christmas concerts
have been outlawed? And those gift exchanges-do they get jail time for
doing that?! Will they even be tried as children for such a heinous act?! 
Horrors.

Welcome to yet another pre-nomination, desperate campaign ad from
someone whose recent polling suggests that he needs your Benjamin
Franklins more than your prayerful support. With its lovely fall foilage
and background soothing flute melody, this ad initially leads one to think
that Rick Perry is getting ready to audition for the "Sound of Music." The
soft atmosphere doesn't match his real message: The President is the Anti-
Christ. He hates you, and The Gays and Liberals are to blame for every
single problem you have--every single one!

Oh, those damned Gays. They've been ruining your heterosexual marriages
with their public expressions of commitment for over a decade now (haven't
they??) They've been moving into your fledgling, just-above-Skid-Row-
neighborhoods and raising your property values with their pastel colors,
beautiful lawns, flower beds and--worse--track lighting! And they're doing
all of that while continuing to cut and style your hair, preparing those tiny
bouquets that you buy instead of spending more on the Mrs., and telling you, 
during your visit to Macy's, that if you try to match that tie with that shirt,
they will personally call security. That's not all, though: we can't call out The
Gays without calling out what they do in the bedroom! Folks, these acts have 
penetrated (no pun, I swear) sacred, time-honored Heterosexual pornography
and from our research, it seems that these porn actors and actresses are
attempting to--cover your eyes/ears--MIMIC what The Gays do in the
bedroom! Heterosexuals do not do these things at all, and this mimicry of Gay
Physical Behavior must stop! It is devaluing our currency, ruining our social
fabric and becoming detrimental to birth control manufacturers' profit margins!

Rick Perry says so.

And then there's Obama. Barack Hussein Obama. The nerve of that man for
trying to improve our economy with stimulus packages, long and short-term
job solutions and rebuilding a badly deteriorating infrastructure. What kind of
sleezeball would spend our taxpayer dollars so that a few (just thirty-some
million) people could get health insurance?! And now he's apparently waging a
"war against religion." Well, I guess that explains why we've switched focus
from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Southern Baptist Convention. And it must
be the sole reason why the Christian flag has been stripped from all worship
places and the American flag has been draped over all crosses. To be fair,
though, this "war against religion" really can't be blamed on the President,
folks. Unless a certain centuries-old document has suddenly changed, doesn't
the President still have to obtain Congressional approval for declarations of
war? Perhaps that's why Congress' approval rating is so low. Damned
warmongerers. Congress & Mr. President, leave Sunday School and
Communion ALONE!

Rick Perry says so.

Okay. Now that I have exceeded my daily dose of allotted sarcasm, I'd like
to give Gov. Perry, Newt Gingrich and all of the other potential and not-a-
chance candidates some advice: this stuff is a major turn-off, and not just to
moderate voters who don't factor their religious beliefs when voting; it's also
appears a little sketchy to religious voters of the non-hardcore-right-winged
variety who tend to think on their own.

For starters, Barack Obama has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that in
1962 and 1963, the Supreme Court judged school-sponsored prayers unconstitutional. Unless the future President was arguing court cases at age
two, Barack Obama cannot be blamed for this. And unless I've missed some
headlines, he hasn't issued any Executive Orders banning children from
individually praying that time-honored prayer, "God, I hope I pass this
stupid test..." Many Americans know that the President isn't to blame for
any of that--and that he isn't waging any "religious wars". The other thing
that thinking Americans know is how certain words send out red flags.

When George-"Segregation Now, Segregation Tomorrow, Segregation
Forever"-Wallace ran for President in 1968, he received almost ten million
votes, carrying all of the electoral votes of five states. Very impressive,
considering that Wallace didn't run on either of the standard two-party
tickets. Wallace got all of those votes (all from the South) because he was a
bully and used scare tactics.

Being a bully in 2012 isn't cool, folks. And after years of racial inequality
and discrimination towards minorities, Americans are slowly, finally
starting to pick up on the fact that people who bully and scare usually have
something that they need to prove. As my pal Sean stated, America "is
statistically 76% Christian." So why tell us that you're "not afraid to admit
that I'm a Christian", Governor Perry--and continue with an infactual,
bullying crusade?! Shouldn't you be comfortable with your own religion!?
In a year that finds governing bodies considering Anti-Bullying legislation,
it probably isn't very wise to start picking on others. People who bully tend
to do so because it's their only way to be relevant and popular.

So, back off, Governor Perry and the rest of the "Party of NO". Is our
economy still struggling? Yes. Is the President the most popular rooster in
the barnyard? No. But unless you're ready to have a serious conversation
and solutions for how to fix our problems and unless you've got more
substance than what is demonstrated with these tired, trivial, ages-old
attacks, just stay out of it. Go hug your money. Become a lobbyist. Join a
church if you have a conversion and want to remove yourself from the
dirtiness of politics.

Just beware of machine guns at the altar.

Rick Perry says so.

The Earliest of Early Predictions.

"He'll win," my father stated in the most resigned, frustrated way available. When I tried to argue, he looked at me  with half-disgust and practically sighed, "trust me: he'll win."

If you didn't know my Dad and his Conservative, Republicanesque ideology, you would read his words as a prediction that a Tea Party-loving, Biblebelt-touring, Liberal-despising candidate would soar to victory on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Yet, Dad wasn't talking about his candidate of choice.

He was referring to his president.

It is just another subject, added to the pile of disagreements, which has grown taller than Sears Tower. (We'd open an observation deck, but can't seem to agree on the hours of operation.) Yet, this disagreement is unusual in a sense. Dad cries that President Obama is made of Teflon and won't lose his job. I mourn that the President is so controversial and disliked that he will not get a second term. Neither of us wants to be correct.

Yes, folks, the 2012 presidential election is coming faster than a virgin male at a Hooters' wet t-shirt contest. Unlike the case of the virgin, however, the end result will not come quickly. With just over thirteen months until the election, let me be the first to tell you: the weeks of verbal assaults will be long, the campaign ads will be many, the debates will be patronizing and none of it will be pretty. By the time we finally select our candidates on that first Tuesday in November, we'll be absolutely worn out--much more than we already are.

I go on record today in this blog, predicting what I believe to be true: Barack Obama will not be re-elected to the presidency. It is not what I want, and it is not what I think is best for our country, but I am realistic enough to sit back, look at the tide objectively to see that the President is about to be yanked from safe shores and cast out to sea. 

Americans are looking for someone, something to blame for the way things are these days. We have always failed at accepting our national responsibility for messes and disasters (see Laws, Jim Crow or Affairs, Middle-Eastern Post-1948.) We don't want to accept the fact that President Obama is not to blame for the economic crisis that arrived at his new desk on January 20, 2009. And while we all hold him and his government to the expectation that things need to turn around, we are a society of instant-gratification which believes that three and a half years is more than enough time to tackle multiple-decades of financial misconduct, thank you very much. So what if he doesn't get along with Congress? So what if the majority in Congress is saying "No" to all of his policies and efforts, just for funzies? He's the President--he should FIX THIS.

So, we'll throw him out. We'll equate Barack Obama to Jimmy Carter, a man with noble, far-reaching plans who ultimately took on too much, alienated everyone and lost his ass on a plate in 1980 to a former actor from California. And just like we did then, we'll listen for a voice belonging to someone who gets stars in his eyes talking about patriotism and the 'American Dream'. We'll look for a man who may not have the sharpest policy-making intellect, but he's funny, down-home and appealing in a masculine way. We'll search for a "man's man"--someone that a regular guy such as, oh, I don't know, "Joe Plumber" could grab a beer with. And that's who we'll put in charge. 

Well, I'm sorry, but one Texas Governor was enough for me.

The American confidence in its government is the lowest that it has ever been. Still, before you decide that President Obama is to blame for your lot in life, please consider the following: we traded Jimmy Carter for Ronald Reagan, a man who tripled the national debt and ignored society's less fortunate. We got tired of the blue-dress floozie and scandals of the Clinton-era and elected a man who pissed off our allies, protected the wealthy from paying higher taxes and continued to increase spending abroad while ignoring dire domestic problems. In other words: is the grass really greener? Are these Congressional Tea Partiers, the ones who got their fame by saying "No", offering anything better than what the current Administration is proposing? Do you really think that the party who ridicules multi-bizillionaire Warren Buffett's call to increase taxes for the wealthiest people in our country is going to be the party that leads us out of a recession?!

As much as I tend to think optimistically, my forecast of the President's loss at the polls is a must for me: it'll be an easier blow to take when it actually happens. The GOP has a large field of recognizable folks these days, ranging from Sarah "Barracuda" Palin to Newt "Not A Reptile, I Swear" Gingrich. These two and other candidates who tend to suffer from Footinmouth Disease (see also Bachmann, Michelle) will find themselves waiting for the President in that same lonely sea. Yet, sooner or later, a frontrunner will emerge. He'll exude confidence, tell us that government is to blame for everything that we've attempted and failed. We'll buy it, we'll drink the Kool-Aid and that expected, cynically-driven cycle will start all over again. More than the troubled economy, more than any argument over the national debt and more than partisan politics: our own lack of patience will be our undoing and will headline President Obama's defeat. While I'll stop short of professing that I've always trusted the President's political integrity, I'll shout from the rooftops that I think he's trying to do a good job and is deserving of the confidence that he is trying to inspire in my country. Unfortunately, the American public won't agree with me. They usually don't, anyway.

Dad, I don't find myself saying this often, but I hope I'm dead wrong--and that you are totally right.

Getting Knocked Up. Or Not.

I have felt surrounded by kids lately. My co-workers want

kids of their own so badly that I'm privy to everything from
their ovulation cycles to the 'onesies' that they find on sale.
One of my dear friends just found out that she is pregnant,
and some friends are in the process of adopting. I've been
seeing more and more kids and hearing more parenting
stories lately, and I'm not sure why.

(If you think that this is the part of the blog where I'm
going to declare that my biological clock is about to
explode and that I want children and that I have always
secretly wanted them, I'm afraid that you have mistaken
this blog for someone elses. My apologies.)

I don't hate children, okay? I don't even dislike most of
them. Yet, pushing thirty--an age where all of the people
in ones life seem to have or want kids (or more of them),
I can't even claim the desire for just one. Judging by
society's reaction, that somehow makes me a horrible
person.

Why? That stigma has always mystified me. I know in
my heart that right now, having children is simply not a
priority. I know that I don't have the finances that I would
want to have when bringing a new life into the World. I also
know that I have limited patience with children of any age
who cannot articulate what they want and/or need. I am
responsible enough to be cognizant of these factors. So
why does it seem that this self-awareness gives me a
socially acceptable ranking just slightly higher than that
of a known serial killer?

Here's the thing: people of like mind who don't want kids
get what I'm saying. Parents dont. A lot of parents see
the joy and reward in child-rearing and they think that
everyone should want the same. If you don't, you're just
odd and it makes you appear to have some sort of
deficiency in their eyes (I said some parents feel this
way--not all.) Those parents apparently feel that they
have something to prove (I've never understood that,
either.)

My parents were ages 42 and 39 when I was born. My
only brother is nearly ten years my senior. My youngest
cousin is fifteen years older than me. Needless to say,
I didn't have a lot of exposure to babies, toddlers and the
like. Although I had a few friends my own age, it was
noticeable to others that I preferred the company of older
women who were usually married. (It would sound so
scandalous if it weren't for the fact that I hadn't even hit
puberty yet and that most of these women quietly knew
that I wasn't...well...straight.) I wish they had clued me in.

But I digress...

The point is that my lack of exposure to smaller kiddos
did not prepare me to want any of my own. That is no
one's fault--because me not wanting children is not wrong.
Ask my loving, patient partner: I can be a selfish jerk. I
can be possessive of my time and, like most of us, I have
a tendency to be self-absorbed. But I know these things
about myself. And I think that potential parents must raise
themselves by strengthening their gifts and working to
minimalize their weaknesses--before they try their hand at
raising someone else.

I wonder how many infants would avoid being placed on
doorsteps (or worse, in dumpsters) if their parents had
taken the time to think about these things? Would welfare
reform have been such a hot topic had there been more
self-analyzation? Would the U.S. divorce rate be lower if
more couples fully considered their personal levels of
responsibility and commitment?

For now, I am quite content with my sixteen lb. Cat.
I feed him, I clean up his numbers one and two, calm
him when he cries (though not with a pacifier--I'd lose
my hand), and I both cuddle and play with him. Should
pets be considered children? No. But they're decent
training for those who desire responsibility of a mostly-
helpless being who depends on you for food, shelter
and support.

Like all other choices I have made, this one also comes
with a disclaimer: it is subject to change. I am twenty-
nine. At thirty-nine, after discovering more about myself
and figuring out more of my life, my comments could be
altogether different. All I know is this: when considering
becoming a parent, it isn't all about you. In fact, your
wants and desires are a miniscule fraction in this
equation. It isn't about how much fun you'd have. It isn't
about you leaving a legacy. It certainly isn't about
'keeping up' with your friends or the neighbors next door.
It's about what is best for the child--and I refuse to take
that lightly.

Day #s 6 & 7: Surf Ballroom, Field of Dreams, Conclusion

Well, I'm home! I pulled into our driveway at exactly 1am this morning. The trip was
pretty much everything that I wanted it to be, and I enjoyed myself immensely. You'll
have to forgive me for not uploading pics/blogging on the road; I found out some news
from home that put me in a funk towards the end of the journey.

After getting a speeding ticket in north-central Iowa (DAMN IT!), I made my way to the
Buddy Holly crash site, just north of Clear Lake. It's one of those places that you're
not going to find accidentally; I went down a couple of gravel roads to get to the site.
But you know where to start walking along the fence row when you see a giant metal
pair of Buddy's infamous glasses. I reached the site within half a mile. The small,
metal memorial has the names of the fated musician (Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie
Valens), and "the day the music died", February 3, 1959. It also features titles of some
of their hits.

Their final concert venue, The Surf Ballroom, is just five miles south. The Surf has been
preserved to look much as it did in the 40s and 50s, but still holds concerts for modern
groups. I was impressed with the numerous pictures of famous musicians who have
performed there; it seemed rather glitzy to be out in the middle of Iowa. I'd highly
recommend a stop there if you're driving on I-35.

When planning for this trip, I noticed that my map had a marker for the "Little Brown
Church in the Vale" about fifty miles east of Clear Lake. Curious, I stopped and took
some pictures and was interested to discover that this scenic, country church was the
inspiration for an old gospel hymn.

My final stop for Day Six was at the "Field of Dreams" movie site, near Dyersville, Iowa.
This is a real treasure, and if you're a fan of the movie (or of baseball), it is worth the
detour. The house, ball field, bleachers and farm look almost exactly as it did when the
movie was filmed in 1988. There is no admission and baseballs are provided, if you
wanted to bring your glove and play on the field. I was able to chat a bit with the owner
of the Field, an affable guy who was actually born in the house. He told me that he and
his family enjoyed doing it, even though he neglected to mention what the website said
(it's for sale.) I had a nice time walking around and couldn't resist asking one of the
workers, "Is this Heaven?!" He kinda chuckled but didn't say "No, it's Iowa!"--I think he'd
heard that one before...

Day Seven started with a lot of driving, but I was able to enjoy a visit at the Herbert
Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa. The museum had a
great collection and emphasized Hoover's humanitarian efforts during both World Wars,
as opposed to his unfortunate presidency. His birthplace and gravesite are both there,
and the Park Service was gearing up for an upcoming celebration of his birthday.

My last stop was at Lagomarcino's, a Moline, Illinois confectionery and home of the only
soda fountain that I have ever been to. This place is like a walk back in time; I enjoyed a
delicious (but expensive) Black Raspberry Soda Float. Everything is homemade here;
the chocolates looked heavenly and the shop has been profiled in several magazines
(I discovered them in the book, Roadfood.)

The remaining drive through Illinois and Indiana was largely uneventful. The last fifty
miles of any trip are always the worst, and I found myself getting sleepy but persevered.
I had, for the most part, an excellent trip.

TOTAL STATES TRAVELED: 8 (KY, IN, IL, WI, MN, ND, SD, IA)
TOTAL MILES TRAVELED: est. 2,400
TOTAL TRIP EXPENSE: $819.46
TOTAL TRIP DURATION: 7 days, 7 nights
TOTAL AVERAGE MPG: 28.2
TOTAL STATES VISITED TO DATE: 46

Day #4 & 5: North Dakota, South Dakota, Ocheyedan, Iowa

I'm fine, I'm fine...don't call 911 or the North Dakota State Patrol--I haven't
died. But I did finally get some much-deserved sleep and am writing this
morning from the home of my longtime friend Robin in Ocheyedan, Iowa
(pop. 500). My apologies for the delay; I was just too worn out last night,
after driving no fewer than 530 miles!

Yesterday morning started out in North Dakota, where I spent the night at
the Mayville Hometown Inn (a very clean and friendly establishment.) I
enjoyed a pizza in this small college town prior to heading to my room the
night before, courtesy of the Pizza Shop. If you ever find yourself in Mayville,
(what? you haven't already been?!), I highly recommend my lodgings and
the Pizza Shop. Tell Katie I sent you--she's the 6-foot Nordic-looking girl
who works there and has lived in "Dekotaaa" her whole life.

My first stop was the KVLY-TV antenna, just east of Blanchard. That
sounds like a lame thing to visit, but it is actually the second tallest
structure in the World, at 2,063 feet. North Dakota's flatness makes it all
the more impressive; when I first saw the thing, my GPS revealed that I
was thirteen miles from the site. Good times.

Afterwards, I visited the November-33 and Oscar-Zero Missile Sites (now
owned by the North Dakota State Historical Society.) I've been to more
historic sites than I can count, but nuclear missile historic properties were
a first for me. Oscar Zero, the launch center, was very impressive. I took
an elevator fifty feet down into the bunker where select Air Force officers
were once on shift 24-7 waiting for word from the President to launch
missiles. I left the place awed and kinda sad, actually, especially hearing
from my all-of-sixteen-but-well-informed tour guide that there were still
150 active missiles in North Dakota.

Leaving the site, I took several picturesque county and state roads, many
with beautiful grassland, to get to southern North Dakota. There, I got my
picture taken with the World's Largest Catfish in Wahpeton. (Hey, a place
has to be known for something.)

The haul down through South Dakota on I-29 was long and tedious, and I
was ready for a break when I got to the Devil's Gulch Park in Garretson.
According to legend, Jesse James was cornered following a robbery and
somehow convinced his horse to jump across an 18-foot ravine here,
enabling him to get away. There is bridge now, and with the pinkish-colored
rocks and deep rivers, this is a beautiful sight. Right down from Devil's
Gulch is Split Rock Park, featuring an awesome waterfall.

Today involves a lot of resting and visiting with Robin. Tomorrow, I'll be on
the road again, "come sun up." *Cue old western theme.*



TOMORROW: Surf Ballroom, Northeast Iowa, Field of Dreams


P.S.-My Honda CR-V scored some victories yesterday: she celebrated
100k miles around Brookings, South Dakota and also gave me 29.8 mpg,
her best gas mileage to date.

Day #3: Twin Cities, Western Minnesota, Fargo

Greetings from Fargo (yes, we're more than just the movie), North Dakota.
It has been a nice day of sightseeing and driving. I am the only one here at
Babb's Coffee Shop downtown, and I'm just fine with that.

Woke up to a very rainy Minneapolis. In fact, everything from overcast skies
to annoying sprinkles and near-torrential downpours have plagued my travels
today. I'm not complaining though; it was the first day that I wasn't getting
a farmer's tan (burn, actually). When the rain was in intermission, I had some
very nice drives.

I navigated through the late rush-hour of Minneapolis to the Sculpture Garden.
There, I saw the famous super-sized "Spoon and Cherry", and took pics of
other interesting outdoor art. Trying to find parking downtown was a chore,
but I eventually succeeded and snapped a photo of the statue of Mary Tyler
Moore throwing her hat in the air. I kept singing the theme song in my head,
"Who can turn the World on with her smile?..."

It wasn't long before I was in the neighboring city of St. Paul, where I arrived
in time to join a tour of the Minnesota State Capitol. This is an impressive
building, though it is unfortunately falling apart. Being able to view the city
and seeing up-close the golden horse/chariot statue on top of the Capitol
was totally worth the informative tour.

Leaving the Twin Cities, I meandered up I-94, north to US-10, to the
picturesque town of Little Falls, boyhood home of aviator Charles Lindbergh.
A problem with traveling on a Monday is that a lot of smaller operations can't
stay open five-seven days a week, so they close one day during the week
and yes--this place was closed. I took some pics and went on my way.

The 130+ miles from Little Falls to Fargo was enjoyable. I took Minnesota
State Route 108, a beautiful road connecting US-10 to I-94. Listen: they
call Minnesota the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" for a reason, folks. I was on
that stretch for a good thirty miles and I can easily attest to seeing at
least two dozen lakes. I'm not kidding. Also found some great sunflower
fields and other good photo opportunities.

Fargo is actually kinda nice. It's not large at all, but the small downtown
is charming and the city has invested well in its main strip. There are
several shops and newer developments and concentrated efforts at
beautification. Unfortunately, there's just nothing here.

Okay. I am getting hungry and sleepy, and since I don't know where I'm
staying, it's time to work on that. Hope this finds you well. :)


TOMORROW: North Dakota, South Dakota, Ocheyedan