transplanted.chicagoan

July 17, 2013

A drive through the middle of Wisconsin.

Most people, when needing to drive from the Northwoods of WI to Minneapolis, MN would take a direct or fast route. Google says this proposed route is 288 miles and 4 hours and 37 minutes. But, everyone knows my middle name is "adventure", so I took the road less travelled. Google also lists an option of a small two-lane highway labeled as US-8. I've come to find out this highway is also known by Wisconsinites as their "8 Mile".

In any case, I did something of a mix of two options, going down on Hwy 51 to US-8, cutting through WI solely on US-8, and going all the way to Minnesota's I-35. This route is listed as 285 miles, but jumps to 5 hours and 33 mintues.

The decrease in mileage (3 big miles) and increase in time is due to the fact that US-8 is two-lanes all the way and enjoys a maximum speed of 55mph (which seemed as though everyone went about 60mph without issue). Every 10-20 miles, you get to slow down to 45mph, then 35mph, and then 25mph to pass through small towns all along the way, with populations to match:

Tripoli, ~110
Tony, 113
Bruce, 771
Ladysmith, 3383
Cameron, 1784
Barron, 3425

But this doesn't take into account the real close up look that you get at small town America and the farmland that makes Wisconsin the dairyland powerhouse that it is. Though I will admit I may not choose this option everytime, it really pays to take it some of the time. There are just some things you can't see at 70mph.

July 16, 2013

If you have a car like this...

... You can have plates like it too.

July 11, 2013

Fun Wolf Factoids*

I can't stop looking up info about wolves since my real-life run-in and wolf-kill-fawn experience in Tofte/Lutsen, MN.

> Wolves weighing over 54 kg (120 lbs) are uncommon, though exceptionally large individuals have been recorded in Alaska, Canada, and the former Soviet Union. The heaviest recorded gray wolf in North America was killed on 70 Mile River in east-central Alaska on July 12, 1939 and weighed 79.4 kilograms (175 lb), while the heaviest recorded wolf in Eurasia was killed after World War II in Kobeliaky, Poltavskij Region, Ukrainian SSR, and weighed 86 kilograms (190 lb)... must be all the vodka and borscht

> The majority of victims of predatory wolf attacks are children under the age of 18 and, in the rare cases where adults are killed, the victims are almost always women...[insert quote about bears from Anchorman here]

> [Wolves] auditory perception is sharper than that of the fox, being able to hear up to a frequency of 26 kHz, which is sufficient to register the fall of leaves in the autumn period... that's just nuts, I bet they hear those fall too

> At least two fatal attacks by wild, non-rabid wolves have occurred in 21st century North America: in 2005, a man was killed in Saskatchewan, Canada, while in 2010, a woman was killed whilst jogging near Chignik Lake in Alaska... at least one more compelling reason not to visit Canada

*all from Wikipedia

July 10, 2013

Delano, MN: 4th of July Carnival & Fireworks

If you happen to be near this farm community of about 5,500 people in central MN during the week of the 4th of July, you're going to want to stop and check out the annual carnival. Lots of midway games, hand-pressed lemon-squeezes, bingo, tons of foods on sticks, frozen dairy treats, and the best part, fresh Minneapple Pie with ice cream. A deep fried hunk of sweet sweet love in either apple or pumpkin varieties.

Not just the food and games either. If you time your visit correctly, you can stay late that night and catch the fireworks. It was easily one of the best boom-boom shows I've ever seen, and totally unexpected.

July 9, 2013

Northern Waters Smokehaus, Duluth, MN

Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives isn't often wrong... and Northern Waters Smokehaus is unique and delicious. Like a number of my recent posts suggest, you should consider stopping at this place if you're in the Duluth area. They have a nice menu of unique sandwiches, which all incorporate their smoked fishes/meats or their homemade salamis (salamii?). They appear to turn a very brisk business (it was busy), but the staff knows what their doing and actually seem to be happy doing it. It helps when the people like what their doing, a lot.

Not only is the food worth it, but the DeWitt-Seitz building that houses this restaurant also has a ton more shops, and the whole area is down on the lakefront with lots of stores and eateries. It could easily be the perfect afternoon stop on your way back down to the T-C.

This is the Northern Bagel. It's a great helping of smoked salmon and a healthy schmear of scallion cream cheese. I would whole-heartedly recommend it. They have about a dozen other options too.

July 7, 2013

Lake Superior Shoreline

I saved the best of the Noth Shore for last. I was pretty well mezmerised by Lake Superior. Having grown up only miles from Lake Michigan, I might have to concede that this lake truly is superior.

I think I could get used to waking up to that everyday

Do you see the three geese? (I know, kind of hard...)

This help?! But now is another group too

Even when it's crummy out, the lake still has its majesty

I brought a bag full of rocks home, just cause they're so unique

microlife

I had a great time seeing all the small things growing along trails and roads and snapping a quick pic. Life is all around you, often times hiding in plain view. Take the time to check it out once in a while too...