A Chill Grill

We all know the feeling.

Whirly birds, snowbirds and icehouses. A strifing runat 7am.

A view leaving Northome

Excelsior: The McGrath Cabin built in 1853

Robert McGrath build a rough log cabin for shelter in 1853. He had spent enough time sleeping with a log for a pillow, camped nearby at Christmas Lake, surrounded by the Big Woods. He was sent by George Bertram to prepare the area for a new settlement. Robert McGrath was 22 years of age.
In the words of George Bertram:
"I have been to a country about twenty miles west of St. Anthony to visit a lake the Indians call Minnetonka (big waters). The country around the lake is as yet unbroken.
I have designated a town site, and selected a lot where I wish to build my home"

Note: My source is the book "100 Years in Excelsior" written by Daisy Dillman. The photo above was taken later in the 1800s, and at that time the log cabin was used for school board meetings.

Christmas Lake

Upcoming Historical Articles

My recent posts have been a bit delirious; loads of snow and cabin fever has taken it’s toll on my psyche. My next post will be filled with historical content. Authentic, and of course esoteric.
I have recently purchased an out-of-print,signed copy of “100 Years In Excelsior” published in 1953. The author was Excelsior resident Daisy Ellen Dillman. Somehow I have the impression that it was her personal copy. The book is lovingly written and provides first and second hand knowledge with documentation of the founding of Excelsior. Some photos.
Also, stuck within the pages of the book was an odd, 1953 Minneapolis newspaper clipping about a Excelsior bank sting.

Convergence

There is snow in 49 of the states. There are 55 names for snow in the Yup’ik Eskimo language. Baskin Robbins has 48 flavours (note European spelling) of ice cream. There is a glaze across the Northern Hemisphere. Richard Dreyfus hums a tune.
One hears a sound, an audible a convergence... like the one in 1987 at Mount Shasta. It is the sound of a million ergonomic shovels working in unison.
We are the world....

Carson's Bay, a bit desolate today

Shot on Friday.

Cat installation gone wrong.

Of course I misread the instructions! I was supposed to "Insert Tab A into Tab B" Now I have a self-cleaning litterbox installed backwards.

Lake Minnetonka Pond Hockey Championship 2011

Water, water everywhere, a sea of hockey rinks. Even a "Pink Rink"
I borrowed the following info from their site:
LAKE MINNETONKA IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR POND HOCKEY – Maynard’s, BayView, Jake O’Connor, 318 club, Haskell’s, with a Big party Friday night with Live music.
WHEN Date Friday January/21-23,2011 - All divisions play 4 on 4 (except mite)


I slipped and slided through the event last year. The ice was covered with a thin coating of water last year. Just standing around was a challenge. But it was winter fun in Minnesota.

For the sunlight deprived

About short days:
"It gets late early out there"

On the New Year:
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future."

- Yogi Bera
Finally: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it"

Lake Minnetonka Polar Plunge 2011 - JUMP!

I arrive at 8:30 am. The crowd is smaller than in previous years. I sidle up to an open space along the railing. A guy is standing on the icy platform with a cellphone. It is 0 degrees. He's doing an interview with the "good neighbor". A line of blanketed jumpers trail behind waiting for their que. He is brief. He is the founder.

Founder

I get up, and nothin' gets me down
You got it tough, I've seen the toughest around
And I know, baby, just how you feel
You got to roll with the punches and get to what's real......

Ah
Might as well jump
(Jump)
Might as well jump
Go ahead an' jump










"OMG"- #1participant response.