VACATION in Bigfork or How I learned to live "Like a Boss"

The Bridge in Bigfork. One car at a time people!
Take Turns!

So I totally wanted to post a blog every night while on vacation... I was too busy! WHICH WAS AWWESOME!! So here is a Reader's Digest Abridged version of my vacation complete with illustration:


DAY ONE! Flew standby on Delta. Which was nerve wracking, especially when the gate attendant tells you to, and I quote, "Oh girl you better start praying that someone oversleeps or is drunk in a bar cuz your flight is way oversold." I then proceeded to ask him which passenger I should take to the bar and proceed to get them liquored up. Gate attendants laughed and I knew I was in. (Singin' in the Rain, "Make 'em Laugh was inspiring.) I made it on the plane and coincidentally was sitting right next to a woman and her grand daughter from Georgia whose Amtrak tickets were also canceled like mine. But it all worked out in the end and I arrived in Montana hours before I would have if my Amtrak plans had worked.

My friend Rebecca (from over at Flathead Mama) is an amazing cook and over the porkchops, mashed potatoes and garlic green beans, I swore I was never leaving.

My favorite float, Banana Split anyone?!
Please note the DQ swirl helmets they are wearing.

DAY TWO! Fourth of July! Let me just tell you, the Bigfork parade was LONG! How a little town can put on a hour and 30 minute + parade was amazing.  There were so many great floats, and the people in all their patriotic garb was amazing! I'm not sure I've ever seen so much red, white and blue in one place. It was a lot of fun to be there with Rebecca, Christopher and the Burrito.

Good Ice Cream comes in Square Packages.
Another waffle cone my good sir!

After the parade they walked home and I walked the town a little bit more. Made a beeline to Eva Gates for Huckleberry Jam and Syrup. (If you've never, you must.) Then a stop at Sweet Peaks for Ice Cream. A scoop of Peanut Butter with Huckleberry Jam with a scoop of Avocado Lime. Yeah I said. Avocado. Lime.
 It was AAAAAMAAAAAZIINNNGG!
The day was completed with 4th of July Naps for everyone, another amazing supper and the fireworks down at the lake.

DAY THREE! deserves its own post and will continue with my Red Bus Tour, how I want to run away and be a Jammer, Grizzly Bears, Ice Cream and when I went to the lake did I fall in?! Action Packed I know!!

Ode to Chester's

OK for realsies, who just licked their monitor? Just me?
There is no shame in it.

Oh Chester's.
How I love thee.
Let me count the ways....

Ok, A of all there are too many to count. and B of all the only thing you need to worry about is whether or not I'm going to get my fix, multiple a serving of Chester's Chicken Gouda Salad. It's a wonderful chicken salad mixed with Gouda cheese, sliced green onion on a bed of leafy greens and complimented with fresh fruit and two slices of banana bread with honey butter.

O.M.G. Baby Jesus take the wheel. Excuse me while I wipe drool from my keyboard.

And if you pair this culinary delight with an ice tea on Chester's patio on Peace Plaza, let nirvana fly!

My love of this salad made me send an email to Chester's chef and owner demanding politely inquiring about when it was going to be added back to the menu:

Hi Scott and Paul!

Will Chester's amazing Gouda Chicken Salad be making an appearance this summer to your Fresh Sheet? It is my absolute favorite from your menu! Last year when it was on the sheet, I came and ate it 4 days in a row. In fact it was my Facebook profile pic for awhile while I mourned the loss of it from the menu. Obsessed? maybe.

Thanks for having such a great restaurant, it is my go to place for anyone coming from out of town to visit and it is always requested for repeat visits.

Everything in that email is a fact. Including the 4 days in a row bit. Just like you need to strike while the iron is hot, you need to get your fix while something is on the limited time only Fresh Sheet.

Imagine my delight when not a scant hour later I got a reply from Scott, and in my total geek-esque way it made me smile in girlish delight. It was like Joey McIntyre just emailed my 9 year old self and said he was coming to dinner. Maybe that's dramatic. Whatevs. Don't judge me.

Hi Audrey,

Thank you for the great email and being such a great fan of ours!  We never tire of getting emails like yours!

We rolled out the menu for the summer and that salad did not make it back on to the regular menu however I have copied our Unit Chef, Derek Jensen on this so he will make sure and run this as a special at least two rotations during the season! 

Derek, lets save Audrey’s email and send her a heads up when you are planning to run it.

Thanks again Audrey for your kind words and loyalty!  Say Hi the next time you are in we would love to meet you personally.  Paul and Derek are there full time and myself and my partner Pat come into town usually Tuesday through Thursday………..

Cheers!

Scott

OK, Do you see how many things in that email made my day?
1 of all, He copied important people to my request.
2 of all, will send me an email so I can stop feverishly casually checking the website for the updated Fresh Sheet and
3 of all, an almost guaranteed two rotations this summer!

<INSERT FAN GIRL TYPE SQUEALING HERE>

Putting aside all the drooling over menu items and squealing, I think this properly illustrates how great Chester's is and their great customer service. I have never had a bad experience while dining there.

The MedCity has so many great local restaurants and I'm proud to visit their dining rooms as frequently as my checking account allows. You should do it too and take me with you!

Almanzo Time!

Artwork from Almanzo blog - Chris Skogen

Oh Almanzo. If there was anyone at anytime that could say they "Lived Audaciously" it was Almanzo Wilder. You may know him as Mr. Laura Ingalls Wilder from the Little House books that were required reading for any girl under the age of 10 (and required re-reading for any girl over 10). Yes I still read my tattered, torn and well loved books. Don't judge me. You're just jealous.

What some people don't know is that he and Laura lived for awhile in the Spring Valley, MN area and he has inspired a bicycle race by the same name.

The Almanzo 100, a free, self-supporting dirt road bike race that winds you through 100 miles of some on Minnesota's most beautiful country side.

Artwork from Almanzo blog - Chris Skogen

Yeah I said 100 miles. These riders, much like Almanzo himself, are bad ass. And if you are thinking to yourself, "100 miles? I dunno... I kinda like a challenge". Don't
worry! new this year is the Royal 162, and it is sure to kick your tuckis. (Royal is Almanzo's oldest brother for those of you not in the know.)

Last year was my first time volunteering, and it was a blast! What amazed, (inspired? dare I say renewed my faith in humanity) was that among these 450+ riders that descended upon Spring Valley is that they were there to ride. Just ride. There weren't bad attitudes, ego trips or drama, they were there to ride and have a great race.

Among a group made up of so many different types of bike riders:  the die-hard-spandex-wearing-axle-grease in their-veins bikers, the ones who showed up in cargo shorts and crocs dreadlocks sticking out from under their helmets, and the ones who told me "I'm hoping to make it to the checkpoint, if not look for me in the ditch would ya?" there was a camaraderie that they were in it together and help each other out along the way. 

Bad ass volunteer shirts. Hell yeah crush gravel!
Even get a VIP lanyard. I know. I'm a big deal.

I'm volunteering again tomorrow morning and I've even sucked my dad into volunteering with me. I just had to tell him there was a free t-shirt in it for him and he was there!

So if you are in the Spring Valley area Saturday, check things out! The all city garage sales are on, pancake breakfast, the Almanzo Market Craft Fair. And don't forget the Spring Valley Awesome A&W Drive In!

And if you happen to be driving around and see a sea of spandex, don't worry, they come in peace. They are just here to crush gravel.

More information check out the Official Almanzo Blog
See you next year?

GARAGE SALE!!!!

 OMG! It's almost here. The weekend I look forward to all year. I would even be so bold as to say "The best weekend of the year". I know. Bold words.

100. Mile. Garage. Sale.

Sweet Bippy, just typing it makes me tingly and trying to haggle with blue highlighter in front of me. "How about a quarter?" No answer. "OK How about 50 cents?" I think the blue highlighter is playing hardball.


My love of the 100 Miler even got me interviewed for an article in RW Magazine. I'm kinda big deal like that.

As a garage sale aficionado, may I offer some tips to the newbies?

The best way to go, is either with a rough idea of what you are looking for or no plan what so ever. If you get caught up looking for that "one thing" you are going to miss a lot of stuff to buy so then you can wind up holding your own garage sale the next year.

My best find during the 100 mile was a solid wood bookcase, I believe it is made out of walnut and gorgeous. The man I bought it from had made it and even let me haggle him down $5 off the price. I was so happy we had decided to borrow my dad's suburban that day! It is in my bedroom now and every time I see it, I remember that trip and smile.
I've found old cameras, books, housewares and I am always looking for something interesting for my mom's Mother's Day present. She loves it, and likes hearing about where I bought, loves it even more if I've haggled down the price!

And speaking of haggling, have I mentioned the phrase "Haggle like an Arab Trader"? (Wait, is that even PC?)

C2 finding a nice place to hang out.
Not sure about any tequila encouragement.

I have no shame. I will haggle with the best of them, but (!!) I always haggle fairly and offer what either I am willing to pay or what I believe the item is worth. A good rule of thumb in haggling is never be afraid to walk away from what you want. AND NO HAGGLING AT CHURCH SALES!! That's bad garage sale karma.


And for you garage sale holders, may I just mention: If you notice lots of people trying to haggle down your prices, you've probably marked things too high. Never hold a garage sale to make money. Hold a garage sale to get rid of your extra stuff and making money is just the side benefit. We tend to stay away from the sales that look like a permanent business out of someone's garage or building. We've been to a few where they wanted $5 for a shirt, $10 for worn out jeans. That's ridiculous. Price it fairly and you'll watch it fly out the garage door.

My group of friends are awesome, we have the best time laughing at each other, and hitting the sales. This year is a first, not only are we going on Friday, but also on Saturday. We may even get out of Lake City for the first time in 4 years. Oh boy, it's gonna get wild!

I hope I have trained enough for this. I have more $1s then an ugly stripper and more quarters then a bus stop bum. I think I'm ready.

BRING IT!!!

Radio

Ah, radio. There is nothing quite like this immediate media source. See! I do remember something from Radio 101! Joy, please inform Mark that somethings were not lost on me, he should be pleased.

Radio. A career option that caught my eye in high school, inspired my college choice and has taken up most weeknds since.

As I sit on the cusp of celebrating my 10th year here at the station, it gives me time to reflect on the people I've meet, the programs I've run and the idiot callers who should have been given a test upon purchasing their phone. Good times, indeed.

Officially my anniversary is June, when I started as a lowly unpaid production intern for Cori Jensen. I was so intimidated that first day I could barely remember her name when I walked up to the receptionist. To this day, she still intimidates me is a friend.

During the next couple of months I'll be posting in review of my 10 years. A sort of "Best of",  if you will.

But one thing is for certain. I feel very blessed for having the opportunities I've had, the friends I've made, and yes, even for the idiot callers who should have been given a test upon purchasing their phone. Why? you ask. Two reasons, 1. they care enough to call and 2. THEY ARE LISTENING TO ME. And that is pretty amazing.

Eagles

It seems only appropriate for our National Bird to take my attention away from watching our National Pastime. It's rare for anything, or anyone for that matter, to distract me from Twins baseball, but the nesting pair of bald eagles in Decorah, IA seem to be succeeding.

I started monitoring them last night while the pair waited for their first egg to hatch. During breaks at work, I'd log on to see what was happening with the pair. Sure sometimes it was like watching paint dry, but then I would catch it at just the right moment when the sitting eagle would get up to rearrange things and the head nerd at the Raptor Resource Project would quickly pan in to the nest to see how the egg was progressing. One time, there was a clear view of a little beak poking through the tiny hole in the egg and I caught myself tearing up a little. Such a girl.

Reading up on the nesting pair, I learned "they have been together since the winter of 2007-2008. Her markings at that time indicated that she was about 4 years old. They successfully hatched and fledged 2 eaglets in 2008, then 3 in 2009, and 3 more in 2010." In further reading on wikipedia (so you know it's true) bald eagles tend to mate for life, but if their mate dies they will find a new one. Also interesting, if a pair has trouble breeding and not producing eggs they will "break up" and find new mates. No word on if there are eagle lawyers and if they split the nest 50/50.

Speaking of nests. Did you know that the Decorah nest is 80 feet up in the air and 5-6 feet across, about the same deep; it weighs about 1½ tons. 1½. Tons. Tons. as in the size of an elephant. "Say What?!", you say. Well look at the picture, I say. Those are grown men in the nest, they get bonus points for the carhartt hats...



Nature cinematographer Neil Rettig (left) of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and Dave Kester of Decorah, Iowa, remove old mounting hardware to make way for a new pan/tilt/zoom video camera at an eagle’s nest about 80 feet up a tree near the Decorah Fish Hatchery on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, in south of Decorah. Rettig, Kester and Amy Ries, of North Branch, Minn., helped Bob Anderson, director of the Raptor Resource Project, install new equipment near the nest to better capture images of bald eagles in the nest for the popular Decorah Eagle Cam. (Jim Slosiarek/SourceMedia Group News)


Tuning back in, I just witnessed Baby being fed fresh rabbit. It was amazing.  For only being a day old, Baby has a good appetite. I called my dad and we both giddily laughed like nerds at the coolness of what we were witnessing. And by watching the viewer counter rise, I knew we weren't the only nerds doing it. Ahhh, solidarity.

It's amazing how the Internet has brought nature into our homes, and maybe this brush with nature produces more armchair naturalists and excites kids to learn more about environment, nature, science and these magnificent birds. If you are looking for a great learning field trip, head to Wabasha for the National Eagle Center.

Check out the eagles here: Decorah Eagles Live UStream

I'm looking forward to watching this pair raise their young this year, they've been doing well so far. In the past years, they successfully hatched and fledged 2 eaglets in 2008, then 3 in 2009, and 3 more in 2010 according to the RRP. Here's to another 3 in 2011!

An Ode to My Little Plague.



Gracie Lu. Plauge.



I live with a 12 pound, 4 legged, gray and white tabby plague named Gracie. And I say plague with love.

She’s klutzy.

She’s bossy.

She pokes you with tiny daggers of death.

She squeaks and sings at you with what I am pretty sure is foul language in the language of cat.

She’s the most adorable thing you will ever meet.

And by meet, I mean in the 8.7 seconds she allows you to hold her before she has to GET DOWN NOW! It’s akin to holding a rodeo bull with claws.

This morning she was particularly plague-y.

I have to be at work at 6am Sunday mornings. It’s ungodly, I know, but hey! It’s a living. Unfortunately due to my weeknight work schedule, my body just doesn’t want to sleep until 1 or 2am. Any suggestions for a 9pm bedtime let me know. I’m not crazy about drugs, and vodka, while delicious, isn’t the solution either.

Tonight was no different; I finally fall asleep at 2am.

2:45am. I’m awakened by a plastic bag rattling, followed by cat bodies tearing around the bedroom. Then blessed silence. I fall asleep again.

3:30am. A tail is slapping me in the face. I open an eye to find the little darling sitting above my head on the headboard, with no real purpose other then to smack me in the face with her tail. “Yes?”, I ask. “MEEOOOOOORRWWW” she yells at me. I roll my eyes and proceed to pull the covers over my head.

4 am. More bag rattling. Pause. I fall back to sleep, within 30 seconds there is more bag rattling. After 5 minutes I can’t take any more, and turn on the light. There she sits next to a Target bag, batting around her favorite mousie that she has placed into said Target bag. I grab it and throw it into the hallway which then Gracie chases after merrily. 5 minutes later after I have fallen asleep again, she’s back. The mouse is back in the bag. The bag is rattling, and I’m staring at the ceiling, calling out “Why Baby Jesus?! WHY?!”

And because it is now 4:10am, Baby Jesus doesn’t answer because even he gets to sleep.

I crawl out of bed again, the mousie go flying into the hallway, Gracie goes tearing after it and the bag goes in the trash. Which, let’s be honest, should have been there in the first place.

4:45am I am awaken once again by Gracie, meowing and carrying on. It sounds as if she is dying. Being the concerned mother that I am, I swear and ask “now what?!” The bed has now become a jungle gym, and she is bouncing over me, meowing loudly. She’s begging, and pleading and being overly dramatic. Yes, cats are dramatic. Now I’m assuming she’s hungry, and bad mother that I am forgot to check the food bowl last night. So I get out bed, again, head to the kitchen and find the bowl still full with kitten kibble.



Gracie prefers down comforters and pillows to posh cat beds.



Grumbling, I stagger back to the bedroom, where I now find THAT LITTLE BEGGER IS HAPPILY CURLED UP IN THE STILL WARM SPOT THAT I HAD JUST VACATED.

I realized, I was in an episode of Simon’s Cat and didn’t even know it.

oh boy!

So as part of my Living Audaciously project, I wanted (ok, needed) to take a vacation that was mine alone. I love traveling, and the past few years I've been taking vacations with my parents. I love my parents. And I love traveling with my parents. No really, I do! (Remind me to write about Lord of the Rings marathons). We have a great trips up north to God's Country (Up Nort' dere, ya know) and the best time playing board games, cribbage and just general hanging out.  But there is always something about traveling with your parents that makes you feel like you've gone back in time about 15 years.

I've realized that I need to have my own adventure. I have tired several times in the past to go somewhere, anywhere, but something come up and plans have to be canceled. I almost made it to Twins Spring Training in Florida this year, but waited too long to book the trip. Next year, as God as my witness I will go, pending any unforeseen emergency (just have to add that disclaimer).

Which brings me to the point of this post.

I did it. I finally did it.

I pressed the "Purchase Ticket Now" button, not just once, but twice and I am now committed.

I felt panicky thinking about the money I just spent, but there was also a sudden rush of euphoria and giddiness. I am traveling to Montana. Sure not the hot vacation destination many would want, but its what I want and what I need. Fresh air and some breathing space.

Not only will my time there be an adventure, but my mode of trasportation will be too. I am taking the Amtrak, another LA project, to Whitefish, MT and visit friends before I find myself in Big Sky visiting my aunt whom I haven't seen in awhile. Seems like I can't get away from family. (ha!) Then I'm flying home. It will be a 10 day trip that will be amazing even if it's cloudy, rains, snows and there is a chance to rabid squirrel attack.

Now the hardest decision I have is, What on earth am I going to wear?!

- Audacious

Sweet Baby Jesus.

I started a blog. You can blame Tracy McCray. Everything after this point is all her fault. Thanks Tracy!!

(How am I doing so far?)