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If you know me or have read past posts, you know that I grew up in Minnesota. Minnesota is beautiful this time of year. Grass and trees are green, flowers are blooming (only downside really is humidity, which for a now desert dweller is hard to take). We just returned from flying up to visit my mother who lives in northern Minnesota now. It was a nice change of pace for us, slowing down to explore is one of the things we do best as humans. Exploring is something I really enjoy doing and really would like to make that an actual occupation…..guess I should have been a scientist or something.
When returning to the area where I grew up I usually find something that reminds me of childhood. Since I grew up in the Twin Cities area, I wasn’t sure what would bring me a reminiscent feeling this time – since we were flying in and out of Duluth (quite a bit north of the cities). When I have traveled to the cities with my husband in the past I could take him to where I went to high school, or the nature center where we would go walk every week and I could even guide my husband to just about every Dairy Queen that exists…he actually finds this pretty funny and it is a subject of loving teasing on occasion. I had visited Duluth when I was young, but I didn’t really remember much of it – besides the aerial lift bridge (which will be a subject of a future post). Needless to say, I didn’t expect that AHA moment at all, something that would get my history juices flowing….until…..
©320photography Nikon D300 ISO 200 f/7.1 80mm 1/13th sec
We went to the grocery store. There we found two sweet items that brought back a ton of memories. Cinnamon crisps and Snack Toast. The image above is a Cinnamon Crisp – it is a flat pastry that is crispy (falls apart when you bite into it crispy) covered in cinnamon and sugar. It is crispy on top and sticky on the bottom and is oh, so yummy. Not a strong taste by any stretch, but one I certainly remember always wanting my mom to buy them when we went grocery shopping. Not even close to nutritious or healthy, its all about the sugar. Yum.
Also incredibly unhealthy, Snack Toast. Snack Toast is hard, crispy and full of cinnamon and sugar. Again with the sugar. If you dip a Snack Toast in coffee or milk it soaks it all up and becomes mushy goodness. My mom always would say “put butter on it, its better that way”, but for me, plain and dipped in wet is the best. I have not seen anything remotely close to this since living in the desert, so having some of these treats was really amazing to me on this trip.
More about our adventures in the north to come.
One of the major construction projects that is of interest not only to Las Vegas locals, but nationally and internationally, is the Hoover Dam bypass project. The project itself broke ground in 2005, but my photographic memories for purposes today begin in 2008. The bridge is an architectural marvel and it is going to be very exciting to drive over the first time – which the news reports say should be in November 2010. Additionally it has been reported the public should be able to walk over the bridge in addition to traffic. It will provide an awesome view of the dam and of the surrounding canyon area.
The bridge is officially named the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. The namesakes represent important people from both sides of the bridge. Mike O’Callaghan is a former Nevada governor and an editor at a Las Vegas based newspaper. Pat Tillman was a member of the Arizona Cardinals, but gave that up to join the military after 9/11 and was unfortunately killed in Afghanistan. The construction of the dam has been the subject of at least two TV documentaries run on the Discovery/Science Channel – Megabuilders and Build it Bigger with Danny Forster (I say at least because I think there is actually another one, but I cannot find any evidence to support that theory). According to the official project website (http://www.hooverdambypass.org/) the bridge will span nearly 2000 feet and it will be the third highest bridge deck in the country – over 800 feet from the canyon. The entire bypass, including the land based aspects of the project, will be 3.5 miles long.
The looming question for the local economy is how much the bypass will affect visitation to the Hoover Dam visitor’s center – which has yet to pay for itself. Also, how much commerce might spring up along the new route. Only time will tell on this, but it will be an exciting day when traffic is finally diverted onto the new roads and bridge.
May 2008 ©320photography Nikon D300 ISO200 f/18 36mm 1/100th sec
May 2009 ©320photography Canon G10 ISO 80 f/4 6mm 1/800th sec
October 2009 ©320photography Canon G10 ISO200 f/8 6mm 1/500th sec
March 2010 ©320photography Canon G10 ISO80 f/4 9mm 1/320th sec
I really have started to look for those “National ….. Days” and I stumbled on this one I think on an architectural website (unable now to remember which one). I thought I would share a quick couple of pictures from one of the great cities of the US and one that is very well known for its skyscrapers. These were both taken from Sears (ah hem, I mean Willis) Tower. First looking out over Lake Michigan and the other looking due west. It was incredible to be up there at sunset, I highly recommend it.
From Sears Tower - Lake Michigan
From Sears Tower - looking west
This sunset shot is also on jpgmag.com
Hey everyone, it is National Eat Outside Day…..unless you live in the desert. (I suppose we could eat outside if we wanted to, but for it to be comfortable outside we need it to be late at night – or we need to be visiting Mt. Charleston, which is kinda hard on a Monday – with work and school, etc.)
So, go outside if you like and enjoy the day!
This shot was taken on our road trip in 2008, somewhere in Nebraska.
This past weekend was some time off for me and my family….and being the geeks that we are, we went to Comic Con 2009 in San Diego. We had a blast and I am happy to say we went to most of the panels we wanted to. We saw lots of cool stuff, some sneak peaks and a LOT of other geeks just like us. Comic Con is really all about the fans. The lines are crazy, the costumes are extraordinary and the opportunity to meet some of your favorite personalities is really a treat.
We got to several panels – the most fun by far was Robot Chicken. Those people are crazy……if you have ever seen their show on Adult Swim you already know what crazies they are. Also got to see Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku at the Dollhouse panel. The sneak peak of the new V was awesome, can’t wait to see the next one. We also sat in on Assassin’s Creed II, Simpsons, 24, Bones and Fringe.
My daughter loves Hellboy. She got to meet Mike Mignola and he autographed a Hellboy book for her. My son loves Mythbusters. He got to meet Jamie and Adam and they signed his messenger bag. My hubby met the artist that carved the Wolverine bust that he bought (Comic Con exclusive, only 500 made). Overall, it was more fun than I could have imagined and I can’t wait to do it again. More photos on my Facebook page – follow the link to the left.
Robot Chicken panel
Dollhouse Panel
Myth Busters
