fair game

granted, the minnesota state fair is not for everyone. there's a lotta noxious smells, there's a lotta ill-fitted clothing and there is a LOT of unhealthy food.  but if done properly, you've got a fighting chance at makin some great memories.

new to us: we took an express bus from the burbs. one, we aren't huge fairgoers. we like hittin the music and grubbing a bit - but two, we sure as shit have never ventured into the human abyss that is  first saturday evening at the great minnesota getagether. but we gave it a-go and parked at kmart, downed a few cans of sierra nevada and hopped on for a ride "there and back again." well, presumably "back."

the comfy cruise took us west on 94 in a roundabout way, flying past a brainless cyclist (i support biking but this dude was hiiiiigh! millimeter flyby miss by the maybe-a-little-aggressive-but-sorta-justified bus driver) coming to a slow motion crawl towards the cattle lot that was "the metro transit loading zone." talk about mmmooooo. we departed the bus with pleasantries and when we finally snaked around the bodies at every community's "stop" we found a huge line for tickets. screeeeech on efficiency. luckily pete doesn't handle lines well and suggested we walk a few feet east to a completely empty entrance. goodbye cows, hello....fair.

much to my surprise, pete then headed straight into the miracle of birth barn....only discovering his misdirection when he looked up and saw video of an emerging placenta on mounted tv at the entrance! yes! placentas rule! I was totally pumped by at least getting to cut through the barn cause I knew i'd have a solid chance at seeing some piglets - no matter how brief. that'll do, pig. that'll do.

first food stop? poutine! our pals are from ottawa and this didn't compare, but reminded us of the time four years earlier that we hit the fair with them and there then four-month old son who did NOT like the horses neighing. "no, we don't need to try it again, lou! he's just gonna screeeam again!" neeeeeeeeigh.....waaaaaaahhhhh!

next up, a wander towards judson and nelson, my free outdoor news (maybe just a hug says the sportsman in the booth) and then off to corn. gotta get the corn. famous daves ribs, a cold beer (finally) and some blues, baby!  it was dry and it was windy so ya hadta cover yer cup if it wasn't to your mouth. but the tunes were nice and the crowd was friendly.

but our real destination (at this point in the evening anyway) was dear old heritage village.  pert near sandstone was playing soon and we wanted to go get a spot and catch up with our pals. EVERYtime i walk into that subculture i love it even more.