Usually the warm, empty house impels us head over to the fair faster. It was a nice break to sit by the window in the dining room!
As we entered the grounds, the Military Veterans Parade was just passing by. It was pretty powerful to see all those men & women lined up and marching...more and more kept coming.
Needing a refreshing treat right off the bat, we walked through the Ag-Hort building to get a frozen Apple Cider stick. ( just a buck!) we cruised through the crop art since Stella missed it last time. We checked out the prize winning veggies and the heat has certainly taken it's toll on the collection! I did not take pictures of the rotting vegetation...you are welcome! Got a cute prize winning scarecrow.
Dad was volunteering for the Foundation, doing a stint at a kiosk selling coupon books and posters down by the Birth Center. Stella and I wanted to see him to make sure he did not need some water or a cool rag. The closest he may ever get to his self stated dream of being a Midway carnival hawker! "Step right up, get your coupon book he~ere!"
As we stood there talking, we got to watch the missing man fly-over. I got a picture of the tail end.
As we stood there chatting up customers I felt something on my head. I reached up and pulled off this enormous grasshopper! *shudder* It could have been worse!
We filled up Dad's water with some ice and moved on into the Birth Center. No calves coming now, but probably later today. I am not sure I will make it until "later today" but we'll see.
Stella and I wanted to see Heritage Square and get some pictures since this will be the last year it will look this way. The foundation and the State Fair have big plans for renovations for this space for 2014. Part of the space will become a transit hub, but the vendor and stage space will get a redo like the International Bazaar did a few years ago. Stella is sad, but as we walked through she understood that the infrastructure is falling apart and something needs to be done. I asked a vendor if their space was guaranteed for next year, and as she understands it, they all have to reapply for their status and hopefully there will be room for all those who want to return.
Had to stop for Jarritos!
I don't know that the Trading Post or Funk & Rose will fit into the decor of a "new" facility! They might have to be bastions of days gone by and remain as it in the new place!
The military trucks and service people had booths lining Dan Patch. They were giving away Military bandanas somewhere along the road and I did not bring my wet frozen rag today, but it was so crowded, the thought of going into the tents was more than I could handle. We found a misting fan instead! I saw this Australian guy.. awesome uniform!
We walked up Dan Patch and saw the Minnesota Glass Blowers just finishing a demo.
Beautiful glass. But Oh fer hot! They let me snap a photo of the kilns and as I did, my iPad went dark despite the brightness on high and Stella informed me I was overheating! I took a few more shots today that captured the overall feeling! 
We told Dad we would meet up with him after his shift, so we made our way back towards him and we passed by the Ranger tower. ~open!~ As an exercise in overcoming my fears (claustrophobia and vertigo) I figured this was as good a time as any since not very many people were interested in climbing a steel tower in the sun on a 93° day at high noon. I texted dad to let him know where I was so if it took a while, he could head our way. Stella chose to wait, in the shade, on a rock near the DNR. I started climbing and there was one kid behind me. I told him to pass me or he would never get to the top.
It did not take me long to get up there, but once I did, I was rather shaky. The tower was empty but for me and a Ranger sitting on a chair, who was sympathetic and handed me my prize for making it to the top. An induction card for the Ancient and Honorable Order of Squirrels. ~only available at the top of the tower!. Not wanting to drop my iPad from the tower, I waited until I had stopped shaking and took a few pictures.
Dad joined us and we all needed some lunch. Dad got the Jaunita's Chicken Salad fajita, because....I will say it again....it is AWESOME! Stella and I wanted to have our first Gyro from Dimitri's. Their Tzatziki is sooo good.
Dad needed a water fill up, so I took him to our secret oasis in the Blue Flame building. Even advertising they have A/C, the place was still quiet and cool!
Dad had yet to discover the super secret location of their bench. So, armed with the knowledge of where he had already looked and the photo clues I left him on the blog, I allowed only "yes or no" questions, we hinted his way to it!
It was hot. Have I said that? On our way out of the fair we ran into Dan Runyon ( Jaunita's) and talked a bit about how sales were going. I reiterated the awesomeness of his chicken salad on a hot day, but we all agreed that on days like this, people don't stay as long, don't eat as much and it is almost too hot to drink beer. All the vendors are down on numbers. As a woman who parks cars outside the fair every year, says " millions of dollars, not being made!"
We decided it was time to head back for some respite. It made me happy to walk into Mom & Dad's house and know that they had an escape from the heat.
Sitting here blogging I am listening to the reports that the humidity hit a record dew point today of 77. Hopefully as the week wears on, we will see a break in the weather. We are watching KARE11 news and there is a booth at the fair that lets's you try on an aging suit. Weights, weighing you down, rods in the elbows and knees restricting your movement and sagging you, a neck collar, and cataract goggles.... Randy's response was "no thank you, I already have one!"
Apparently it is the U Of MN health booth today!
I am thinking of heading back over tonight, but I have to work three eleven hour days Wednesday through Friday and I am hoping to get out to the fair after work each night.
We told Dad we would meet up with him after his shift, so we made our way back towards him and we passed by the Ranger tower. ~open!~ As an exercise in overcoming my fears (claustrophobia and vertigo) I figured this was as good a time as any since not very many people were interested in climbing a steel tower in the sun on a 93° day at high noon. I texted dad to let him know where I was so if it took a while, he could head our way. Stella chose to wait, in the shade, on a rock near the DNR. I started climbing and there was one kid behind me. I told him to pass me or he would never get to the top.
It did not take me long to get up there, but once I did, I was rather shaky. The tower was empty but for me and a Ranger sitting on a chair, who was sympathetic and handed me my prize for making it to the top. An induction card for the Ancient and Honorable Order of Squirrels. ~only available at the top of the tower!. Not wanting to drop my iPad from the tower, I waited until I had stopped shaking and took a few pictures.
A few more people were coming up, so I decided it was time for me to make my descent. The way down was MUCH harder. I had to just hold the railings and look straight ahead using my feet to feel my way down, because if I glanced downward, the world started to spin. As I approached the bottom, I overheard the Ranger at the entrance say to a little kid "Don't worry, I'm the guy who will carry you down if you get scared up there". I am sure he would not have let me ascend if he knew the risk involved with me! Randy texted me as I was atop the tower and I told him where I was. His response was "always good to exercise vigorously on 90 degree days".
Dad joined us and we all needed some lunch. Dad got the Jaunita's Chicken Salad fajita, because....I will say it again....it is AWESOME! Stella and I wanted to have our first Gyro from Dimitri's. Their Tzatziki is sooo good.
Dad needed a water fill up, so I took him to our secret oasis in the Blue Flame building. Even advertising they have A/C, the place was still quiet and cool!
Dad had yet to discover the super secret location of their bench. So, armed with the knowledge of where he had already looked and the photo clues I left him on the blog, I allowed only "yes or no" questions, we hinted his way to it!
It was hot. Have I said that? On our way out of the fair we ran into Dan Runyon ( Jaunita's) and talked a bit about how sales were going. I reiterated the awesomeness of his chicken salad on a hot day, but we all agreed that on days like this, people don't stay as long, don't eat as much and it is almost too hot to drink beer. All the vendors are down on numbers. As a woman who parks cars outside the fair every year, says " millions of dollars, not being made!"
We decided it was time to head back for some respite. It made me happy to walk into Mom & Dad's house and know that they had an escape from the heat.
Sitting here blogging I am listening to the reports that the humidity hit a record dew point today of 77. Hopefully as the week wears on, we will see a break in the weather. We are watching KARE11 news and there is a booth at the fair that lets's you try on an aging suit. Weights, weighing you down, rods in the elbows and knees restricting your movement and sagging you, a neck collar, and cataract goggles.... Randy's response was "no thank you, I already have one!"
I am thinking of heading back over tonight, but I have to work three eleven hour days Wednesday through Friday and I am hoping to get out to the fair after work each night.
Randy made a lovely dinner...
This humidity has me thinking, home feels good. If I get a message from a friend telling me they are at the fair...I will be off like a shot!
This humidity has me thinking, home feels good. If I get a message from a friend telling me they are at the fair...I will be off like a shot!
Not one text, but three messages from friends and family, so I was off!
I got on the grounds and you could have shot a cannon through the fair and not hit anyone. I texted everyone and while I waited for replies I wandered through the empty merchandise mart. It was hot inside, but I would rather go through the building hot and empty than hot and crowded.
I took a picture of the first two booths inside the door and noted the irony...next door to each other are the Fairy Finery booth that Stella loved when she was little and the Low Vision booth which is more appealing to me now!
I walked around and was invited to sit down at the "Smooth Gator" lotion booth. This tiny lady (about four feet tall, if that) asked where I had pain and I said just my feet. I told her she really did not want to touch my "fair feet" so she grabbed some bags and covered my feet with the lotion. She had a good sales pitch, but the stuff is $40/bottle so I told her I had to see how it worked walking around. She said they are on commission, so if I come back ask for Linda, the tallest lady in the booth! I have to say, throughout the evening I realized a few times that my feet felt awesome!
I got messages to meet friends at the Ball Park Cafe, so I joined up with the Quinn family! 
As we gathered, my friend Joe Knight and his wife Kelly came by in search of food. I got a look at Joe's food consumption list from last year and he out-ate my brother Mark! They found the comet corn at the Blue Moon and gave it a good review! 
Quinn's got a basket of the new craft brew battered onion rings and they are really good! Thick sweet onions with a light crunchy batter. Nothing undercooked about these babies! 
They also got a bucket of cookies, and as Joe's wife Kelly said, it would be rude not to eat one when offered! I finally took a photo of this iconic Minnesota sign. I have walked by it 1000 times and I keep seeing it as a backdrop for friends photo ops so I decided I better have one too! 
It was a (hot) lovely (steamy) night for sitting (can't move) on the patio and having a cold one....or two. Kathy found us and her crew connected soon after. Kathy told them I knew everything about the State Fair..."just ask her" and I was stumped by the first question! "When did the State Fair start?" I had to do some research at home to find out it was 1859, the first year Minnesota was granted statehood. I will not forget now! 
The people are in the glow of the red Ball Park baseball lights!
I was lamenting the fact that I must return to work the next day, and putting in long days through Friday. Mike Q suggested I take a walk over to the AFL-CIO..."it's right over there". But I explained that I volunteered to do it, no one was forcing me. He still found it unjust labor practice, keeping me from the fair and thought I should visit!
I got a text from my niece saying they were at the Hanson concert, so the Quinn's and I wandered that direction...(with my feet still feeling pretty good!). Hanson...being younger than our music, but too old for the kids (their one hit, Mmm Bop, in 1996) the Quinn's headed home. I hope to connect with them all again.
I skirted the crowd and found Katie & Nick hanging at the back. We chatted over the band, heard Mmm, bop! And got a couple pictures. Since they just arrived, they had lots to see. Sadly many of the food vendors had already closed up shop by 9:30, I am sure due to low sales. Too hot to eat! I told them the Midway would be a fun walk and hoped to connect with them again on their short stay here in Minnesota. 
I headed home. On the way out, his great percussion group was performing for the street crowds. 
This was the first night I saw the Pedi-cabs working too. Maybe the temps were cooling down. I sure did not feel cooler.
Mom was hopeful the temps would drop down to the 70's over night so she could open the house, but I think when she saw me, dripping with sweat at 10:15 pm, she decided it might be best to keep the A/C running!
Tomorrow is work and hopefully a talent show with Mom, if she can take the heat!
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