Tag Archives: Minnesota

Christmas Tree Wrapper

Ford Bronco at tree farm

The highlight of a recent visit to a Christmas Tree farm was the old Bronco pulling the machine that spins twine around the trees for transport. It had been 30 years, or more since I had last been at this farm. The farm seemed smaller, and there were large homes trespassing onto grounds where blue spruce used to stand.

Still… it was the Bronco that brought the best memories flooding back. When I first drove up to Alaska, I made the trip in a copper-colored Bronco like this one. Complete with the three on the tree.


US Bank Stadium

Minnesota State High School All Star Game

US Bank Stadium exterior

During my visit to Minnesota, I attended the State’s High School All Star Football game at the new US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

US Bank Stadium interior

My cousin’s daughter was cheering for one of the squads, which allowed us all a wonderful reason to check out the new stadium. I attended many games at Met Stadium and the Metrodome in my youth, but this was my first time at US Bank. The place is huge, absolutely huge. The Metrodome could easily fit inside of US Bank.

First impression: A well designed football stadium, with a truly unique (for now) roof. The clear roof panels make you feel as if you are sitting outside, and I love the large, clear doors at the end of the building. Even though it was a nice day, the large doors were not open. What a great place to watch the Vikings beat Green Bay.

ASG half time

North played South in the game. I was with a group of North supporters, and we were sitting in the middle of a group of Elk River fans. Elk River won the state title this year. As it turns out, historic ties won out, and I cheered for the South team.
North scored first on a 7 yard touchdown pass from QB Jaran Roste of Alexandria to WR Michael Wandmaker of Andover.
The defensive game continued until the fourth quarter when South finally struck back. RB Christopher Bain of Grand Meadow scored on a 1 yard run, and OL Eric Wilson of Benilde-St. Margaret’s, lined up as fullback and converted the two-point attempt.
South would go on to win 15-7.


Tires: Fair

IH Truck
International Harvester Pick up for sale


F3

Ford F3


Can Tommy come out to play?

Turkey at the door


Ellingson Car Museum

Ellingson Car Museum
Ellingson Car Museum, Rogers, MN

I took my Dad to the Ellingson Car Museum in Rogers, MN a couple of weeks back. They average 90 classic cars in their inventory, and from what I saw, all of the vehicles are for sale.

1955 T-Bird
1955 Ford Thunderbird; 292 V8/Automatic transmission

1949 Jeepster
1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster; 4 cylinder, 3 speed manual w/OD

I’ve always liked the Jeepster, even without 4WD. This is a nice one, with the Go-Devil 4 cylinder. I’m not sure about the Leinenkugel signage, however.

1957 Bel Air
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air; 327 V8, 4 speed manual

My Dad loved the ’57 Chevy, and there was a ’58 Bel Air tucked away in the back, but he gave the salesman a hard time for not having a ’55. “Best one of the bunch.”

1957 Fairlane
1957 Ford Fairlane 500; 312 V8, 3 speed auto

The Skyliner was a sharp, boat of a car, and the retractable hard top makes it stand out as much as those rear fins.

If you’re traveling along I-94 in Minnesota, and enjoy looking at some historic iron, Ellingson is worth the stop. The fee to enter the back showroom is nominal.


It’s Axe Week

axe-paul-bunyan


The Rivalry Returns to Mariucci

The University of NoDak hockey team comes to Mariucci Arena this weekend to play the University of Minnesota. The two teams have not met in the regular season since January of 2013, when they were both members of the WCHA. That ended a streak of 66 consecutive years with the rivals meeting on the ice. They have faced each other 291 times since their first game in 1930.

The last time Minnesota faced NoDak was in the semifinals at the Frozen Four in 2014. Minnesota scored the winning goal in that game, with .6 seconds left on the clock. The goal was a short handed shot fired by Justin Holl.

No current Fighting Hawk has skated against Minnesota. The Gophers have four players who have skated against NoDak.

The puck drops at 7pm. Standing room only tickets have been selling for $90.


Happy Halloween

Gopher Halloween
Photo credit: Golden Gopher Hockey


Campfire vs Bonfire

Mn Campfire
Minnesota campfire

Maybe Alaskans over do it, but campfires up there seem so much larger than in the Lower 48. (Knoxville excluded) Don’t you have pallets down here?
Since I’m on the subject: What’s up with not owning an axe? When showing two near-teens how to properly build/light a fire, I was splitting kindling in a garage with a brick chisel and a drilling hammer! The travesty! Life lessons lose some credibility when one does not have the proper tools, and you are forced to repeat the phrase, “Now, don’t you do it this way.”
In other news, I know what my cousin is getting for X-mas.