Duluth, MN Anniversary Trip 7/8-7/10/2011
Jul
25
The Amazing Jeff and I had been trying to decide for a few weeks where to go and what to do for our 2 year anniversary. We talked about Vegas…but for now- too expensive. We eventually settled on Duluth, MN. Not only because it is close, but because he had never been there!
So on Friday July 8th we headed north!
We had never gone away for the weekend for just us before. Usually when we go out of town- it’s to family for holidays or the like. This weekend was just for us. I had a ton of fun planning a weekend that was amazing!
First we checked into the hotel once we arrived. We stayed at the Super 8. We shelled out the extra cash and got the king size bed, and a room with a fridge and microwave. Let’s face it- left-overs rock.
Then, we called a taxi and headed to Pizza Luce’ in downtown Duluth. We had some of the spiciest wings known to mankind. I think they accidently gave us the wrong ones.
And then…
The best pizza at Pizza Luce’: A Ruby Rae.
And beers. Mmm beer.
Once we were done a Luce’ we walked down to Fitger’s Brewhouse. For well…brew.
Along the way we saw...
It's kinda like being in Vegas...right??
Last stop of the night was Carmody’s Irish Pub. I met the owner the last time I was there!
More tunes.
Then cabbed it home for some leftovers, and relaxing.
The next morning we went over to Perkins for some yummy food and then off to Target to get me some pants because I packed very poorly! It was supposed to be nice, but was freezing! Once I had the pants situation covered we headed down to the Ferris wheel that I saw the night before all lit up on our way to Luce’!
It was high. Very high. But fun! There was a fun little carnival going on that day- so we saw some camels, and rode the Tilt-a-whirl! Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo….
Then we walked down to Canal Park and had lunch and Little Angie’s Cantina…best food of the entire weekend.
Chips and Salsa, Fresh Margs and yummy tacos and BBQ burritos!
While walking back to the car at the carnival…we noticed that Duluth either is a very dirty city, or has a great sense of humor:
Heehee.
Then back to the hotel to get ready for the “romantic sunset dinner cruise” that I had booked and was so looking forward to. It turned out to be not so fun…
1. We had assigned seating…with another couple. That makes holding hands across the table and making goo-goo eyes at each other all night rather difficult. This little seating arrangement was not disclosed to me when I booked it. Bummer.
2. It was foggy all day- no sun= no sunset. Again bummer. Plus it was cold, poor packer here…all I had was a dress. Brrrrrr.
3. The water was suuuper choppy. Like make me sick choppy. So I couldn’t really eat my dinner L but… it wasn’t that great anyway. The Amazing Jeff’s…way better.
 |
| My dinner |
 |
| The Amazing Jeff's dinner...yum |
The desert on the other hand…
Sooooo worth it. It made up for all the other bummers.
Snagged a few more pics, and some of the Ferris Wheel at night…and then back to the hotel.
So Sunday was …well really sunny. And our actual anniversary! We had an awesome weekend, and I cannot wait to do it again. We both had a serious case of the Monday’s the next day.
Yay Duluth!
Motivation Monday...digging deep, Relay and hugs from the Afterlife.
Jul
18
Have you ever had a moment where time just stopped? A moment where things slow down so much you think the Earth has stopped spinning? I had that moment this weekend.
I was driving down to my parent’s house on Saturday morning to spend the day with them and then head over to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life later than night. I was just driving, drinking my coffee and jamming out to some tunes as I do on my road trips…and then my cell rang. It was my Dad; he wanted to let me know that they were at the Emergency Room. I asked what happened and he said that my Mom was not feeling well. But that she would tell me more when I got there… and in that moment I knew. I felt that all too familiar punch to the gut. “Mom has cancer again” he said. Tears began to roll down my face. He told me she’d be ok and not to speed. Time had stopped. I could see the lines on the road flying by, but time inside my car...was at a stand still. I didn't know what to do- I called The Amazing Jeff and told him. "Where do you want me?" he asked. I didn't know.
I spent the next hour fighting the inevitable emotional tornado that happens when you hear that word. I kept telling myself to keep it together…since I was flying down the freeway at 75 miles an hour. I had words with the universe…why does she have to do this again?!?! Isn’t 4 times enough?? That hour was a very bumpy emotional rollercoaster…and I know the ride is not over yet.
When I got to the ER, she was all drugged up since she was in so much pain. Not related to the cancer thank goodness. She had a bowel obstruction…still dangerous and scary. She spent all morning in the ER loopy on pain killers for the pain in her abdomen, and puking her guts out. The Doctor decided to admit her- just to be on the safe side. She of course, was much bummed. She really wanted to go to the relay for life. Once she got up to her room- she was doing much better. Dad and I left to go get a bite to eat, since it was nearly 2pm. After lunch we went back to the hospital and sat with her. I fully anticipated spending the night in the hospital; but amazingly enough- her pain went away and the surgeon looked at her and saw no reason why she should stay if everything as worked itself out. Awesome!
So she was officially discharged at about 6:45pm- opening ceremonies begin at 7pm… a quick stop at the house for a change of clothes (since it was almost 100 degrees out…we all smelled) and off to the fairgrounds to be at the opening ceremony! Whew… we got there just in time for the color guard. Mom got her shirt and pin- and we headed to the stage for the Survivor announcements. My Mom wanted me to help her on the stage, so I walked up with her and let her do her thing. She had a hard time talking, but made it through. When we stepped off the stage, and were waiting for the rest of the survivors to speak- I noticed that one of the survivors looked really familiar…it was the nurse from the ER earlier that day- her name is Vicki and she is an 8 year breast cancer survivor. Serendipity I tell you.
![]()
![]()
We did the survivor lap together, and then she was done. Mom and Dad stopped to say hello to some friends and then headed home. Mom was ka-put, but still smiling...
![]()
I forgot to mention the cupcake!
![]()
I hung out to take some pictures of the Lumineria. And other things that made me smile. As I was walking around the track…I heard a familiar tune… “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On” by Mel McDaniel. My Grandfather used to sing that to me when I was very young. I loved my Lee jeans as a toddler, and this was his “Grandpa loves you” song. My “papa” passed away when I was 7. He lost his very short battle (about 4 months) with pancreatic cancer in the summer of ’89. We (My mom, grandmother, younger bro and me) lived in a hotel across from the Mayo hospital in Rochester that summer. He pops in to say hello every once in a while…and I REALLY needed him that day. Sometimes it’s a smell, or an old man who looks like him stopping to tell me I have a nice smile. But this time it was the song…so I KNEW it was him. Yeah- you’ve got goose bumps doncha? Me too.
When we got back to the house- my Mom noticed this:
![]()
A random petunia. There are no other flowers in bloom at the house. In fact, they are all dead thanks to the heat and lack of rain. But this one, which was NOT there on Friday, or even when my Dad and I stopped at the house on Saturday before going back to the hospital…all of a sudden- there it was. In full bloom. In the gravel, next to the driveway. Hi Grandma and Grandpa! They were both there to encourage my Mom and I. I had to smile…I could not be sad anymore after that.
A random petunia. There are no other flowers in bloom at the house. In fact, they are all dead thanks to the heat and lack of rain. But this one, which was NOT there on Friday, or even when my Dad and I stopped at the house on Saturday before going back to the hospital…all of a sudden- there it was. In full bloom. In the gravel, next to the driveway. Hi Grandma and Grandpa! They were both there to encourage my Mom and I. I had to smile…I could not be sad anymore after that.
So far she is doing good- not in too much pain. But it comes and goes. We hope to find out the plan of action today, and then we can begin yet another journey.
NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!
Wildcard Wednesday- Getting back on the training wagon after injury, and barefoot running
Jul
13
So for the last month I have been nursing an IT band injury- and I *think* that it has finally gotten to the point where I can get back out on the road. I do think that a new pair of shoes will plan a huge part in having a successful re-entry into the training area. I have been very interested in trying the Vibram FiveFingers®, and also the New Balance Minimus. Has anyone used these? I have gotten a great review of the NB from a TNT teammate and she loves them. I feel like perhaps the amount of cushioning in my Nike Motos and my Asics are hindering me from being able to sense my gait, thus causing injury. And injury is no good.
So I have been very interested in the idea of barefoot running, or at least the minimalist running craze.
Running and Transiting
I found a great blog- Barefoot Running University; it had awesome info for the new BFR (Barefoot Runner). They have outlined a "Lose the Shoes" Plan that details how to transition to minimalist or BF running. The plan outlines the transition in 5 stages, the first 4 to be over the course of 4 months. That seems like a very long transition- but I am not an experienced runner, and it seems like the blogger of BFRU is...so I will take his word for it. I don't necessarily want to run barefoot per se...but in a minimalist shoe for sure. Although, a transition to those shoes it highly recommended by Healthy Tipping Point's Caitlin, you can read about her transition to the Vibram's here.
Shoe choices
I will admit that the Vibram's look odd...and feel odd. I tried them on at REI once...and they felt strange. I think now though, that I had on the wrong size because they were very, very tight. I like the look of the Komodo Sport version, because of it's bright colors, and also the Speed- I love the vintage look! And I think that the laces may be a bit more comfortable that the velcro on the Komodo Sport. Most styles average $100. I think that I may have to give them another go...
I will admit that the Vibram's look odd...and feel odd. I tried them on at REI once...and they felt strange. I think now though, that I had on the wrong size because they were very, very tight. I like the look of the Komodo Sport version, because of it's bright colors, and also the Speed- I love the vintage look! And I think that the laces may be a bit more comfortable that the velcro on the Komodo Sport. Most styles average $100. I think that I may have to give them another go...
I love the look of the New Balance Minimis for women. they have so many options now since the release of the shoe in March of this year. They now offer a Trail Runner, Cross Trainer, and fitness walking shoe. All for around $100. These can also be worn with or without socks. And I hate socks...so this makes me happy.
I have also read other review of minimalist running shoes, but they all seem to be trail running, not road running shoes. And I am not yet up to trail running- so I think I will stick with the road running shoes at this point.
Have you tried minimalist running shoes? What do you think of barefoot running?
Motivation Monday- oops I forgot my motivation. :(
Jul
11
I have been sadly neglecting my bloggin duties the last few weeks due to injury and serious frustration. Since my Minneapolis half marathon, I have been dealing with an injured IT band and a lack of energy. Just not feeling like myself. But I think if I just jolt myself awake one morning and hit the bike I can get back into the swing of things.
Just about 6 weeks left until my Minneapolis Duathlon...and I still have not had the bike outside. And that is bad. I need to get the feel for riding the bike outside and learn how it handles.
This past weekend The Amazing Jeff and I went to Duluth, MN for our 2 year anniversary. It was awesome! Trip details and pics to follow in another post! It was a MUCH needed vacation, albeit min- vaca- still wonderful all the same.
So I will leave you with this gem:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
