Taos Tempo on parade!

It was going to be a hot one today so Barb Drew and I headed out early.  I had done much of what I wanted  to do already, so this was my day to help Barb see the fair her way.

Barb is visiting from Taos New Mexico and she brought along the local newspaper for some photo ops.  If she sends the paper pictures of her with the Taos Tempo paper, they will print them in the paper!  We got some got some uniquely Minnesota ones!

On our way to breakfast, I wanted to capture this horse sculpture by the Carousel family. There is a bull near the Admin Building, but have not gotten a picture.  Not sure if there are more.  Research topic!

We began the day with a Pronto Pup for breakfast at Barb's childhood friends' stand on the NW corner of the  Kidway!  While Barb was catching up with her friend, I was meeting up with Gayle and her friend to deliver the Gopher face masks I scored earlier this week!  Turns out it was a good thing I got them when I did. They ran out!    Had to get a photo with the Gold'n'plump flying chicken truck!

Barb's plan for the day was to eat, see some iconic State Fair sights, eat and find Minnesota sports paraphernalia! .  So our next stop was Corn! We decided to check out the bottom level of the Grandstand to see what's new this year.  Barb had heard about a S'more on a stick for 50¢ and as we entered, there it was!  We used to get chocolate covered marshmallows when the kids were little, (cheapest treat at the fair) and now they have upgraded by adding crumbled graham crackers and calling it a s'more!  Barb thought it was great!

I have always found something new and interesting on the NE inside wall and there was a new electronic gadget that turns any hollow object into a speaker for your mp3 player. It seemed too good to be true, and maybe it is.  There is a sticky pad that connects the speaker unit to a pizza box, or window, or cooler and amplifies the sound.  They give you two extra pads and tell you they can be found in any craft store....NOT.  we looked and looked as we were school supply shopping (after sticking the first one to a dusty surface and rendering it useless) and could not find them.  I want to check back Monday morning and see where they specifically sell the replacement stickers. It was fun while it lasted but Caveat Emptor!

It was starting to heat up and as we wandered the Grandstand and we founf a nice place to cool off!  Misting fans...for the barn or shed....or Randy's backyard!

Barb was willing to go see some animals and wanted to try bacon cheddar mashed potatoes on a stick with me.  We headed towards the animal barns and on the way had to get a picture of the Taos Tempo on The Bench!  It was early and in the sun, so no people removal was necessary!


Food before animals, we walked to Potato Man and Sweetie.  This year the new food item is mashed sweet potato balls deep fried on a stick with a maple glaze and whipped cream.  Supposed to taste like sweet potato pie I guess.  We went for the savory.  They were smaller and not quite as good as I remember, but Barb and I enjoyed them!  We wandered into the horse barns and today found horses!

Western groups are here now, not sure if I will get to see a horseshow this year, but I just can't so it all!  We passed the Alpaca booth again and today there was a different breed of Alpaca!
These ones were called Suris.  They were so cute!

I wanted to check in on Google.  Barb thought it was pretty funny that I was so parental!  I took this picture of the side of CHS barn, because this is the first year I really noticed these metal cut out and I think they are cute!

Google was sleeping...the boys seem to be lazy!  So far, mine have all been boys.  He looks just like his Mom!

As we cut through the DNR to see the fish pond, I noticed the heat and humidity had taken its toll on the duck pond!  mmmmmm green muck!  Even the ducks stayed on the little island and out of the water!

We were constantly trying to find the quintessential "Minnesota State Fair" spot for the Taos Tempo.  Sadly, the picture has the worst lighting, but I think in front of the butterheads is the most unique spot we could find!  I hope the one I took with Barb's phone was better!

We saw a chicken on a spit...LOL  and I got one of the Tempo & Barb in the egg chair!






 I decided Barb needed to see the crop art so we stopped and got my daily apple cider freeze pop and got to have a free sample of some Twangy Cheddar beef sticks.  They were spicy and FREE!
  We did a fast glance at the veggies and never made it crop art, but I had them on blog so Barb could see them later.
We had a tight time schedule since we wanted to be off the grounds by noon and it was heating up.  We still needed to get to Fan central so barb could load up on her Minnesota sports team gear!  The goal was a hat and a t-shirt for each of her favorite teams.  Wild, Twins, and Vikes.   We started with the Vikings booth and did not have time to get in line to play plinko and win tickets but as we were shopping someone won some!   I made Barb pose in the Helga hat under the "show your horns: sign!  She was a trooper!













We found Vikings and Wild fan gear, but the Twins had their own booth outside the  International Bazaar.  I think she got some good deals and will go back to New Mexico a little less homesick!

We were on time to get off the grounds, but my friend Janice was working at the St. Thomas booth on her birthday  So I wanted to stop up and sing to her!  Barb was ready for a rest so I left her listening to the bagpiper at O'Garas while I ran up the hill to see Janice!

Happy Birthday!

When we got to the fair today these water jugs were at the main information booth and I did not know what they were for (forecast hottest day of the fair so I assumed it was something for the people) There were no cups or anything so curiosity got the better of me and I asked if the water was for people to fill up.  The worker said there were supposed to be bandannas to soak and wear on your neck, but they had not been delivered.  I am not sure if they ever came!

I ran up to find Janice just starting her shift.  no one there knew it was her birthday (and it is not something most people tout...besides me...) so as I sang to her, her co-workers then could all wish her Happy Birthday!  I did not need to beg for a bag, since Mom & I got our quota earlier!  It is Janice who informed us of the St. Thomas bag news, "so nice, they made twice as few!"

One last stop for some cold water at the Culligan booth!




As we left the grounds, we knew we would not make the light so we sat on a bench and I took a few snapshots of the view I have leaving the fair every day!  Buses, people, and pretty flowers!

So long for today.  I got a stamp but never did return!

DAY EIGHT STATS:

Walked:  found out my pedometer died.  My guess is about 5 miles

Food Consumed: Pronto Pup, corn, bacon cheddar mashed potatoes, free beef sticks, apple cider icy, S'more on a stick!  Barb missed having cookies, but I promised I would bring them Friday to cards!

Goofy hats:  Helga hat!

Calf Count.  I am good with my one this year!