The Killer

Today, baseball lost a legend. From a Senator to Twin to Royal, killer represented why we love the game and why we keep coming back for more.
We'll miss you big guy. Crush a homer this way, when you get the chance.

Time has come for another long over due trek to the arctic tundra that is the frozen Minnesota North. Today marks the start of the 32nd annual Eelpout Festival in Walker, MN. It's a very festive atmosphere centered around celebrating and catching the elusive Eelpout fish. As the story goes, the Eelpout get their name from their appearance; Eel-like body and puffy, pouty fish lips. They also spawn and are only active at this time of year here. People come from as far away as Georgia and beyond just for this festival. This year, rumor has it Jay Leno is in town with his camera crew filming the event for his show. These fish know how to draw a crowd these days. For those who haven't seen, this should help explain everything:



Some footage from pouters of yesteryear:





Kent Hrbek and ESPN field reporters on The Eelpout 500 and more:



This is our first Pout festival. Will get video and pics (and stories?) to share later.

Cheers!

Pretty amazing stuff.
Vikes play the Giants at Ford Field tomorrow night.

I happened across this story on Yahoo! out of Wisconsin.

Check out the little old lady from Milwaukee & her 1964 Mercury Comet with over 560K miles clocked and still going. That's just downright awesome. I love it. Keep on truckin grandma!

Have a good Friday and weekend.

The Minnesota river is coming dang close to swallowing hwy 101 again this spring. This is nothing new. It's happened many times for decades. I crossed it yesterday to see how high the water is getting. Sure enough, a little more and hwy 169 will be the new river crossing for a time for many.

For historical reference: (For history buffs like me)

Hwy 101 during the flood of 1993. Hwy 101 during the flood of 2001

It would also seem that the Holmes street bridge in town is being taken down. It's been there for somewhere around 60+ years. scolio_hates_lj, yarrick & myself took pictures there a couple years ago. I think buran even joined us in doing so while she visited at that time. Save those pictures, folks. It looks like soon they'll be keepsakes of some local history.

Historical reference:
The bridge was built in 1928

The bridge used to be the main west side entrance into Shakopee. Kinda sad to see it go if they really are taking it down. These days it's a pedestrian bridge. But I'm sure by now it's time to bring it down.

In other news, it sounds like we may not be too far from the personal cloaking device. I disappear!

Speaking of disappearing...
Is it 6:30 yet? I need a beer and to go home and relax. Just another crazy busy week.

Can't think of anything else atm.
All reference images and more are from the SCHS.

While talking with topher_fox this morning, I found this on Tube of You:



Something to help get over hump day.
I want to go to the Twins game vs. Pirates tonight.

Having a total blast so far.
Already got to meet Tracy Butler, a badge commissioned from Michele Light
And was able to catch up on sleep.

The plan now is to cafinate and draw, draw, draw.
Also want to try and catch Topher's race too.