Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Day Nineteen

I dropped off my truck in downtown Minneapolis for the day and pulled out my bike to explore more on wheel. I rode around for about three hours within the city and gave myself a pretty good little tour including downtown, the University of Minnesota, the bridge that collapsed a year ago, the Metrodome, Starbucks, and a Barnes & Noble. Later in the day I left downtown and went to the Nesvig residence where I spent the evening with Kirk and Mary, and their kids John and Ben. Kirk and Mary went to PLU with my parents and offered a warm bed and some warm meals for my travels through the twin cities. Upon my arrival, I found a box from Lauralee full of her world famous, and now web famous, monster cookies. She somehow managed to get the cookies to arrive on my one night stay at the Nesvigs, a very narrow window. That's like hitting reentry on an Apollo mission. Many thanks Lauralee- Kirk and Mary would like the recipe. Post cookies, we ate dinner on the deck overlooking the golf course and played a riveting game called Farkel, a combination of Yahtzee and Russian Roulette if you were to ask Ben. Myself being the rookie, only took second to last thanks to his selflessness. The Nesvigs will send me off tomorrow with some worthy reading to think about and pocket Farkel to ensure that I make friends along the way and spread the Farkel magic.


Midwest Mountaineering is an oxymoron.


Downtown Minneapolis, MN


Here is the wreckage from the bridge collapse in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007. Just up the river they are rebuilding. You can see the cranes.


Some downtown Minneapolis bike riding.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Kelly. Jess would be so very upset with you. Where is your helmet??

On a positive note... Farkel!! I freaking love that game.

Unknown said...

Kelly how did you take that picture of yourself riding your bike in downtown Min. with both hands on the handlebars and no helmet.....MOM wants to know

Aunt Julie said...

Hey Kelly,

What a fantastic trip! More fun than the way we have done it three times with a U-haul. It's too bad we are so far North here in New Hampshire, you could add us to your journey. Take care and ride safe.

Aunt Julie

Jessica Holden said...
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Jessica Holden said...

Totten! Kaarin is right, and I agree with your mother - WHERE'S YOUR HELMET!?!

Say hi to the homeland for me :-)

Jessica Holden said...
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Kelly Totten said...

Well one hand on the camera, one hand holding a burrito, one hand switching gears, and two hands on the handlebars.

Dave Stubbs said...

A belated comment to this day's entry , but very important as to put all of your mind's at ease re: the "no-helmet" criticisms and the ease of videography while pedaling. You see...it's really quite simple, because what Kelly's video fails to show us is that his bike is equipped with the state-of-the-art Specialized High-Tech KT 2000 Turbo Training Wheels. This bolt-on accessory allows for perfect balance and hands-free ease of cycling through busy intersections and roadways. And what's better, the State of Minnisota exempts all riders from wearing helmets if cycles are equipped with said equipment. It's a beautiful thing! Ride on Kelly!

Kelly Totten said...

Hahaha. Thanks Dave.

Unknown said...

OH my gosh...Farkel is our other family favorite game. Good thing you got to do train dominoes with us because that left you free to learn Farkel in Minnesota. So glad you loved it. Journey on Kelly

Unknown said...

Hey Vet,
I once tried hang gliding off the Sear's Tower with a water balloon launcher but I chickened out.
I wish I had the time and adventurous spirit that you have. You're living the dream that I only write about.

Wasn't Farkle the King on Shrek?