Ely, Minnesota

The boys and I took a trip to Ely, Minn. for Memorial Day weekend this year for three nights at Camp du Nord (a wedding present from my boss). We stayed in the Pilot House (the single most photographed feature on the grounds!) and it was great!

We were able to kayak, canoe, hike and grab firewood for the fireplace - all included in the fee. Had we paid extra, we could have eaten at the cafeteria with the other families (I much prefer cooking our own food while camping), and a different weekend would have meant more programming for the little one. We did, however, take full advantage of the boats and hiking as much as possible for having a 20-month old bouncing along with us, and managed to sleep outside for two of three nights on our screened in porch above Burntside Lake.

I must also recommend a trip to the town of Ely if you are headed this way. There are tons of outfitters, shops and friendly people. In particular, we ate (twice) at the Chocolate Moose. It was kitschy food and pie for a decent price. They have all kinds of odd beers to try (Ryan had quite a few, including some kind of Dead Guy ale).

Also, we had to check out Soudan, Minn. where there was an underground mine. There are tours that take you down the original mine shaft 27 stories beneath the ground, just the way the miners did before it closed in 1962. Even Keegan could appreciate this as it was very kid-friendly (he kept picking up rocks and saying "rock!" real loud while the guide was talking).

Other than traffic getting there and back, (a 4.5 hour car ride made into five hours!) and a toddler who didn't want to nap, it was a GREAT and much needed vacation! It was great to get Keegan outdoors (he loved picking up rocks, checking out the ferns, and picking up all of the pine cones and putting them back on the pine trees) and he learned lots of new words dealing with nature.

Check out more photos here.

The Greatest Reception Ever

After a getaway to Florida to get hitched, plus a seven day cruise and two more days of exploring southern Florida, we had a reception back home for our family and friends to celebrate our hitched-ness. The planning was probably my favorite part - I wanted something people didn't dread going to, that was very Ryan-and-Katie-esque, and something that no one else does. So, I'll tell you all about it.

For starters, it was at Camp St. Croix in Hudson, Wisc. On a Y-camp training, I discovered their lodge had been beautifully re-done and the grounds were excellent. Granted this was a Valentine's Day reception and there was snow on the ground, so it was a different picture than I had seen last summer. I dubbed the theme to be "choose your own adventure."

Activities included sledding, broomball, and indoor board games by the fire. The camp cooked both vegetable and meat lasagna, plus salad and green beans at a very reasonable price. It was picnic table style dining, so everything was decorated with Valentine's Day decor.

The dessert was my own spectacular idea - see, I'm known at work for blurting out cooking and make-your-own dish days at my choice of a day to plan. So, to fit the theme of choose your own adventure, I made two different kinds of cupcakes, two kinds of frosting, then a huge assortment of toppings (gummi bears, sprinkles, oreos, butterscotch chips, m & ms, etc.). Wah-lah, make your own cupcake.

It was excellent. It was pretty cheap. We had a photographer last minute so I didn't have to worry about capturing the moments. Lots of family and friends, and lots of fun!

Katie does Tucson, Arizona

Today I was pleasantly suprised by Frontier Airlines. If you want to leave on time, on a plane that is not overbooked, and return on time, I recommend the airline.

Priorities: A) two fish tacos from Rubio's, B) a grilled chicken pita from Jack in the box, and C) get outside and get hiking (photos to follow).

I was also relieved that the cheap hotel I found doesn't suck. It's right by the road, but the other side of the room has a door and window that lead out to a balcony near the pool. For $40 a night, I think that's good. Plus I have cable, and after a day of driving around 100 miles around town, walking for two hours downtown and getting up at 4AM, I'm down for laying low.

I'm in Tucson for the USA Triathlon Race Director Certification. Learning a lot!

While here, I checked out University of Arizona campus eateries and shops, a rest stop that provided great hiking and views, and the Arizona-Senora Desert Museum. The shops were okay, not sure where I found that rest stop though! I did meet some New Yorkers admiring mountain as well, and we chatted for awhile before I hit up the museum.

I do recommend the certification for my race director buddies. It was a decent source of networking, but I learned a great deal from others about races around the country, and can't wait to get my own going.

Youth sports

The Pioneer Press is doing a series of front pages articles about youth sports called "a generation on the sidelines." I've been following it, and find it interesting.

Read the latest here

I think it's sad but true - you need money to excel in sports. When you're looking at raw talent in a sport, I don't think financial status matters too much. However, wealthy families can send their kids to fancy hockey camps, play year-round and have better equipment to play the game.

I guess that's one reason I really like the YMCA - they are determined to not turn any families away from being able to use the pool, workout, play sports or go to camp. Every kid should have the right to be active and learn to play with other children, and every adult should have the chance to workout and socialize.

14 job-related things about me

25 job-related things about me

I read this article, and thought I'd make a list of my own.

1. My first job was a lemonade stand staffed my my brother, sister and I, and in two weekends, we were able to buy a giant trampoline with our profits. My second was a partnership with my sister to sell beanie baby accessories online - we were not nearly as successful.

2. My first "official" job was grounds crew and leader the of the jail convicts to clean and move thing around the fairgrounds. I lasted five years, and dealt with a lot of garbage!

3. I lasted a whole summer at another fairgrounds, where I regularly cleaned 120 horse stalls with jail convicts, emptied and arranged over 300 garbage cans and mowed over 100 acres of grass. My favorite was mowing until I fell asleep and rode into some soccer nets, and I didn't get to do that so much anymore.

4. At #3 I was required to wear an XXL bright green shirt with the intention to match the sanitation crew. Also, pants all summer, so I ripped a lot of holes in my jeans "by accident" to stay cool. I also learned to drive a skidsteer and tractor, so a big plus there!

5. I worked at a gas station for over five years, and was trained in by someone who quit during my second week to murder someone with her boyfriend, then cut him into pieces and bury him in her parents' yard. So every time I did something wrong, I totally blamed her training.

6. My best job perk ever was getting paid to work on a beautiful island on a marathon. While I worked hard setting up for a weekend, it was warm and sunny, and housing and food were paid for as well.

7. My dream job would be to manage a national tour of triathlons/running races, and set up training trips around the country for athletes (and get to test them out!). I'm also very interested in non-profit leadership, health and wellness, and tourism.

8. My first job out of college was security at a waterpark.

9. I've worked for 28 different organizations. This doesn't take into account working for several departments or several locations one place - always at least 2-3 at a time.

10. I've never been fired.

11. I sold programs and did some marketing for a baseball team, where I met a lot of great people and got free beer and hot dogs after the games. I still miss that job!

12. I used to work two full-time jobs both from 8 to 4. Of course, this was both 8 am and 8 pm that I started (casino and waterpark) and I wanted to die every day.

13. When I quit working at the waterpark, I had to bring a garbage bag full of uniforms because I had worked in every different department to help out at some point in time (my favorite was cabana server!).

14. I've worked on events as large as the Disney Half Marathon, inaugeral events like the Catalina Eco-Marathon, running events in California, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and even directed one with proceeds going to charity.

Katie and Keegan do Rochester/Lanesboro, Minn.

Six-word memoir:
Rochester: Very happening city, wasn't expecting that.
Lanesboro: Historic, saloon, river valley kinda town.

Ultimately, Keegan and I were headed to Lanesboro, Minn. on a suggestion from co-workers who have family there. We ended up making pit-stops in Rochester, knowing it is home to Kemps Ice Cream and the Mayo. The only Fazoli's left in Minnesota is there too, along with any stores, restaurants and parks you could ever need.

Arriving at the destination, you have have to drive down a big hill that overlooks the town. It was a saloon-type town where there was nothing corporate, nothing to wipe out the small businesses, which was refreshing especially after Rochester. There were a few bed and breakfasts, and outfitters for play on Root River. We saw two deer just hanging out near a library, and a waterfall nearby - this was without having to do any hiking, just heading into a parking lot. I wanted to explore the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, but it got dark and I couldn't see it (there was a ropes course there, though!). There were several large parks as well.


Definitelay a place to get a canoe next time!

(More pictures)

Katie and Keegan do Red Wing, Minn.

Red Wing, Minn. in a six-word memoir: Quaint town, smells like broiled chicken.

For our first Garmin adventure, Keegan and I choose a town about an hour away that was pretty simple to get to with interesting scenery. We ventured to Red Wing, Minn. and also made a stop in Prescott, Wis.


According to the city's website, it has been chosen as one of the 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and highly rated by National Geographic. There are historic houses and shops, a train depot, and it's home to Red Wing Shoe Company, and all situated near the Mississippi River.

(More press about Red Wing)

We chose to hang out at a two-level Caribou Coffee, then view the trains and walk around the shops for awhile. I've rock climbed there before (Barn Bluff) but will be back for more, as well as to catch the train or some good food in the future.

(More pictures)

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch

I've been looking forward to seeing this. I must say, I expected a bit more than what seemed like at times to be an advertisement for Carnegie Mellow. But the story and lessons were pretty good.

If you knew you didn't have much longer to live, what would you do with your time? I hope I'm never in that situation, how awful would it be to know you've got a wife and three kids who are going to spend the rest of their lives without their husband/dad?

What were your childhood dreams? I don't think I remember mine. I know somewhere that I have a 50 things to do before I turn 50 that I made in high school, I'll have to pull that out and see how I'm doing.

Let's blame poor nutrition and obesity on a weak economy!

Should have been doing all along?

I'm going to put this out there - I believe that a big part of why the economy is heading south is because the media don't have anything else to report and the abundance of information we're getting is causing very low buyer confidence.

Recently, I read an article stating that consumer spending on Christmas presents hasn't been that low since 1969. Who needs that much "stuff"? Also, the US has been cutting jobs and laying off people - maybe it's a good thing. We may be just trimming the fat of who's producing the least in the workforce.

Personally, I'm sick of hearing just how bad the economy is. Yup, it appears we've fallen on hard times - deal. I feel that we are now putting blame on it as an excuse. Yes, jobs ARE harder to come by. It may be harder to keep your job - I say work that much harder so you are so valuable to a company that they can't get rid of you. Yes, stocks, bonds and 401Ks aren't doing well, but did you expect that they would just keep climbing? Of course at some point we were going to not buy as many cars, trips, and material things so the production would be slower. I think we as Americans are to the point now where we can just go, "Oh, I'm late to work because of the damn economy" and our bosses would just nod.

Obviously, we had it coming. The "war" is costing us billions for one. And the main reason is that people had it good, bought houses, cars and things that they couldn't afford in the first place, and now wonder what the hell happened. Sure there were some predatory lending practices - but who can't look at how much they make and how much the house will cost and realize the latter is more?

I know we've fallen on hard times, but come on people - you can take some of the blame too.

Anyhow, in reference to the article, I'm curious - do you think the economy is causing us to make poor food choices? Do you think the economy would make obesity rates lower because we go without food, or higher because we choose soda over milk?

It did make me sad to read this article. We're paying tax dollars to feed people, I think we have a right to at least know that they're purchasing more than chips and candy with it. If that means educating people on the basics of nutrition and exercise, than so be it.

A Ryan and Katie vacation

After the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving with a brand new baby (also known as the "four family tour" - breakfast and late supper with Ryan's families, lunch and dinner with mine, and I'm not talking immediate family here), we unpacked our warm clothes and packed up the long underwear and plenty of layers for a trip to Lutsen, MN.

Now, admittedly, we first took this trip after finding out Cowboy Mouth would be doing a concert at Papa Charlie's. But it's a four-hour drive from home, so that meant a hotel stay. That turned into finding a deal where we could get two nights in a hotel, two lift tickets, AND two rentals all for the price of one. PLUS booking the multi-night stay got us free concert tickets. So, with Grammy Pammy and gRONpa begging us for more time with their grandson, we obliged.

Off to become snow bunnies gracefully jetting down the mountain, right? Wrong. At least for one of us.

After a late night with the Mouth at the bar, we layered up and hit the mountains the next morning. After TWO trips down the bunny hill for me (where you conveyor belted up) with Ryan coaching me on how to ski (previously, I went once in college with no instruction, it was a doozy), we got into the chair lift. Apparently there was a bigger bunny hill somewhere up there, but somehow we missed something and hit only blue squares and black diamonds. So, after two good falls, some swearing and nearly having to change my three layers of pants, we got to the bottom and found a map.


I became a bit more confident after we took the gondola to the other mountain. We ate a bit in the chalet, and feeling a bit better about my skiing skills, I whizzed down the mountain and took an amazing fall. My hat was ten feet from where I ended up, my sunglasses shattered and my knees, head and pride all injured.

Back to the ACTUAL Big Bunny we went. While I stuck to that one, and another similar one, Ryan took some other routes that ended up in the same place.

After we exhausted ourselves, it was time for the hotel hot tub and sauna, where we met three drunk girls. We got some dinner, then more hot tub and wine. I awoke the next morning and nearly fell out of bed, I still hurt from all that skiing/falling. But all in all a very good trip, and a night full of sleep with no late night feedings to worry about.

But again, back to reality. Now, I sit with a sleeping baby in a very Christmas-themed apartment, but in a few hours, I've got 18 rugrats to bring home from school and try to keep from killing each other, followed by around 30 more to watch while their parents work out.

It's a great day to be alive :)

Family Vacation

So, my two-month old son is now a plane travel expert and been in more states than I was at 19. I think he's even picking up a bit of Spanish!

We took a much-needed vacation to California just before Thanksgiving. The trip started with an early morning flight out (we had to take the sleeping Keegster out of his car seat and snowsuit to get through security!) from 13 degrees in Minneapolis to 83 in San Diego. The three of us walked the La Jolla caves and shops before taking our time getting back to Palm Springs.

We stayed in the Springs for two nights at my favorite, semi-cheap tiki-themed hotel. Keegan went swimming for the first time and loved it (then not so much the second time), we ate GREAT food that I missed, and met up with JP and his girlfriend. The second day, we got out to Idyllwild to hike the Devil's Slide and visit various little shops. The next morning before heading back to San Diego, we hiked the Museum Trail (Lykken) and had breakfast with some friends.


That night we found Old Town and had GIANT margaritas and awesome Mexican food. The next day, we experienced Balboa Park, Ocean Beach and played around at Horton Plaza. For our last full day, we walked the boardwalk and piers of Mission and Pacific Beaches, went to Hotel Coronado and rounded out the night with some Inn-N-Out burgers with animal style fries.


It was pretty sad to leave, especially since it was a cool 80-90 degrees throughout our stay, and Minnesota was insane coldness. But California will always be just a plane, train, or automobile away.

Crappy jobs

So, as a girl who admittedly has had way too many jobs, spanning from county fairs to professional office slave to management, I've seen my fair share of bad times. To my credit, it's very normal for me to have three or four jobs at the same time, some of which are seasonal.

Anyhow, after thinking about the jobs that I have taken purely for money, thinking I'd give them a chance, I began to wonder what bad jobs are out there that I've never done.

Here are just a few I've heard of that would beat my worst three jobs (toolbox assembly line worker, horse stall shoveling/garbage truck operator with jail convicts, and overnight ash tray cleaner at a dirty casino):

1) Bean factory conveyor belt worker ("picking out everything that wasn't a bean")
2) Putting one piece of fat in each can of beans at a conveyor belt
3) Nailing the Jesus on crosses at a religious artifact factory
4) Anything having to do with hot dogs, cows, chickens, etc.
5) Punching holes in catheter bags all day

Everyone has bad days. There inevitably is something not ideal with any job - people you work with, the commute, doing the same thing every day, the pay, the benefits, seeing the sunrise and set during your shift, etc.

A wise person once told me that if you hate your job so much that you'd rather be the guy digging ditches on the side of the road on a hot summer day than go into your job, it's time to quit. The great thing about jobs is that there's always another one to try out.

Many people have asked how I seem to always have a few jobs at the same time - the answer is A)I'm constantly looking. Seriously, it's like a weird hobby of mine. B) I'm willing to do the jobs no one else wants. C) Do you see me with loads and loads of cash? No. I may be working 50-60 hours a week, making just enough to pay the bills. But if that's the case, I really like what I do. If you get paid to do something you like, it doesn't seem like work. For instance, one of my jobs involved getting paid to board a fairy to a gorgeous warm island and putting together a marathon, with paid room and food, for a few days.

Now, why can't all jobs be like that?

It's my ultimate goal for that to be the case - to combine events, travel, fun and nice weather. Someday, I will enjoy Minnesota summers and California "winters" as a snowbird. Seriously. Winter's coming, and I'm getting restless and cold.

Keegan is here!

Hurray! I had a son on Thursday. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

He was 8-lbs 6-oz, 21.5 inches and loves to eat, poop and sleep.

The first two more than the latter.

I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I already have, but this kid is fun. He makes silly faces and noises, and other than a few disagreements on whether to sleep or be awake, we're having a blast.

Nice try, CivicFest

I don't know that I'd ever want to attend CivicFest.

Apparently many people here would agree.

The festival is entitled "A Very Minnesota Celebration" and features exhibits and a marketplace. It is centered around Minnesota and U.S. history.

The original admission cost for adults was $15. Now, the Star Tribune is reporting that admission is "free" but suggests a donation with proceeds going to Hurricane victims. Why they didn't think of that in the first place? However, it is celebrating America, so following suit with the way Americans would rather throw money at something than volunteer their time seems appropriate.

I did find it interesting that the political buttons seller wasn't doing so hot (seeing as how you can go a few more miles and probably find them everywhere at the RNC) and the person selling books about the economy wasn't doing well (because when the economy isn't great, why not buy books about it!).

Furthermore, after twelve days of the Minnesota State Fair (where attendance was excellent), who wants more concessions? And after so much coverage of the RNC, protesters and presidential nominees, I'm not sure I know of anyone who wants to celebrate America too much more.

I must say this is maybe not the best timing for an event like that. It looks like an event on a rainy day with nothing better to do.

(photo from civicfest.org)

Events around the world

Here are two events that happened over the weekend around the world. Very cool!

1) World Bodypainting Festival in South Korea Why not? Not as cool as bodypainted people riding their bikes through the streets of Seattle, but maybe with a lesser chance of rain ruining your... paint.




2) Tomatina in Spain
What could be better than thousands of tourists hurling tomatoes at each other in the streets? Like many, this event is on my list of 100 things to do before I kick the bucket!

(both photos from yahoo.com slideshows)

Minnehaha Park

On Sunday, Ryan, Scout and I went adventuring to Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, MN. Neither of us had been there, but keep hearing about how neat it is. I was feeling restless and wanted to know what the hype was about!

Perhaps Sunday was a poor choice, considering how busy it was. But it was worth it. The park has a 53-foot waterfall, along with some decent hiking trails. It'd be a great biking destination, and I'm still eager to try out the light rail (and the rest of Minnesota's metro transit system).

2008 Summer Olympics

The Olympics proves one thing that unites us as a globe: we all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

The Olympics are something that we could all strive and train for, but even failure to accomplish this goal is a beautiful feeling as we can all cheer on our country or individual athlete. For several days every four years, we can rally sports that we normally wouldn't bat an eye at - swimming, gymnastics, triathlons, track & field, etc.

A great aspect of the games this year is that because they are in China, we become more aware of customs and the culture that is Beijing. For once the media is not only covering politics or natural disasters; Beijing can show off its history, heritage, venues and land, and pulled off an amazing opening ceremony.

The part I really enjoy, especially as an event guru, is building of tradition. The ceremonies and torch relays have the same concept, but customized and updated. Even the protests and controversies are similar, but thankfully the spirit of the games usually overshadows these yahoos.

I'd love volunteer or work for the Olympics in any way, shape or form. Far from 8/8/08, Beijing had over a million volunteer applications. Maybe the winter games in Vancouver or the next summer games in London would like my skills...

Home sweet (better) home!

Eff the cheese curds and great beer that the midwest boasts.

Granted, Minnesota is a very fit state (ranked first or second in the nation) and hosts many great races - I'd like to see some of these close to St. Paul.

1) Wife Carrying Championships- It is exactly as it sounds. Husbands carry their wives (or other women, since it originated because men used to steal women from neighboring villages) over their shoulders through a short obstacle course. The course includes logs to jump over, water, sand, etc. Winners typically win the wife's weight in beer, brats, cola, cash, etc. You can even attend the Wife Carrying Championships!

2) Grown-up P.E. class. For the floor hockey, spastic ball and kickball type of interval training you may have missed in your younger years. Red Rover is disallowed though - sorry kids.

3) High-Heel Sprint. There have been a couple held in New York, which is probably where is belongs but still it looks like a blast. Women (and on occasion men, which, more power to you!) run races in stiletto heals.

4) The Mud Run. It's huge in San Diego - there is more than one held at Camp Pendleton because it's so well-attended and sells out. You compete in a 10K with obstacles through the mud. I've asked every event director I've met here, and apparently one was held many years ago but not with the same enthusiasm.

5) Rock 'N Roll Marathon. I realize we have the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, Grandma's Marathon and the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon (all of which have been huge successes), I do believe we need a fun marathon. 26.2 miles is fun enough by itself I realize, however, why can't we put a band at every mile to enjoy as you suffer past?

6) 12Ks of Christmas. This is my baby to be produced by Brown Dog Endeavors. There's no link to it because it hasn't been created just yet, but it will be a 12K filled with costumed runners, hot chocolate, lights, elves, and great sweatshirts. Also, a Five Golden Rings 5K for fun. Oh, it's on. Definitely national tour worthy.

Grand Old Day

I worked as the headquarters coordinator for the Grand Old Day on the Go 8K/8K inline skate/5K/Youth Run this weekend! It was fun. As much as a few athletes wore me down, I'm recovered and ready for more.

Check out some event company links on the sidebar. A few of them I've worked with, and some I'm just using for research on areas, dates, and event themes.

Viva la Brown Dog Endeavors!

That's so gay...

... that I'm missing out on the fabulous Palm Springs White Party this weekend! It's only "the largest and best known gay circuit party in America," according the Desert Sun.

So many pretty boys and none to touch.

(photo by the Desert Sun)