‘Sota Style Flask List 25
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My recent post on turning twenty-eight got me thinking about a lot of things.
Major goals, shortcomings I need to work on, and the realization that my metabolism no longer allows me to live off of fried food from Red Robin without some serious consequences.
It also got me thinking about the fact that I’ve never been to North Dakota.
I currently live an hour from North Dakota.
Not to mention the fact that the paternal side of my family is exclusively from North Dakota.
In other words, ‘Kota is the new ‘Sota.
In addition to venturing over to the “rough-rider state”, moving to the Smalltown has actually inspired me to try several new midwestern-themed activities. While imagining how I would look in snow shoes and wondering how much tickets to a Twins game cost, it hit me like a ton of cheese curds: I need a Minnesota-themed bucket list!
The only problem is…I hate the phrase “bucket list”. Hate it. With the passion of a thousand plates of lutefisk. I totally get the idea that it’s a list of things you want to do before “kicking the bucket”, but still, buckets just aren’t…well…me.
Naturally, this meant my list needed a new name. I bopped on over to thesaurus.com, and entered the word “bucket” into the search field.
Out of the dozens of results, “flask” seemed to be the most appropriate, although “cauldron” and “carafe” were a close second and third. At the end of the day, I’m just a “flask” type of gal.
(But not in an alcoholics anonymous type of way or anything.)
Katrina’s ‘Sota Style Flask List
1. Visit North Dakota
2. Make a homemade, vegetarian (possibly vegan?) version of tater tot hot dish.
3. Go Ice Fishing.
4. Go out for dinner at a Supper Club.
5. Buy a boat and give it a hilarious/flamboyantly inappropriate name
6. Travel to Wisconsin and eat lots of cheese.
7. Travel to Wisconsin and drink lots of beer.
8. Learn to cross-country ski.
9. Learn (and apply) the official rules of a four-way stop. (Currently I just aggressively plow through without waiting my turn, like the rude city girl that I am.)
10. Perfect the Minnesota accent and then post a video to prove that I’ve mastered it, dontchaknow.
11. Attend some sort of hockey game.
12. Go out for Lutefisk.
13. Catch a Walleye.
14. Travel to Two Harbors, the Minnesota hometown of my maternal grandparents.
15. Meet Chris Humphries.
16. Learn how to golf.
17. Attend the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Again.
18. Take Scott curling.
19. Conquer my fear of driving in the snow.
20. Go snowmobiling without seriously injuring myself or others.
21. Eat something grotesquely unhealthy at Mickey’s Diner.
22. Take a photo of myself in front of the Mary Tyler Moore statue.
23. Go camping. (I’ve never been!)
At only 23 items long, I realize this flask list is kind of lame. That’s where you come in. Feel free to send me any ‘Sota-inspired suggestions you might have, and I’ll happy add them to the flask list.
And of course, I’ll keep you updated as I complete each task. Because let’s be honest — I’m know you’re all waiting on bated breath to hear what it’s like in North Dakota.
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Jul 18, 2012 @ 09:20:42
Here’s on to add to you list! Go ice fishing at the Eel Pout Festival in Walker, MN. I would LOVE to read a post about that when you get back. Things get kinda crazy there.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:08:17
The Eel Pout Festival? I’m frightened, yet intrigued…
Jul 18, 2012 @ 09:25:06
Come to Wisco! I am sure we have more to offer than cheese and beer. Erm, um, we have Wisconsin Dells, if you like waterparks, and lots of scenery and it’s paradise if you hunt/fish. However as someone who refers to her designer purses by name, you might not find much to do. It’s still worth a trip though, come to the Fox Valley and bring Jolie so our pooches can meet and maybe date long-distance.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:07:54
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Wisconsin and can’t wait to eventually take a trip there! I actually think we might be doing a family vacation to the Dells, too! And yes, Jolie is desperately inneed of a doggie boyfriend
What’s your pup’s name?
Jul 18, 2012 @ 09:36:29
I have a sneaking suspicion that Chris Humphries has lutefisk for brains, but either way I would advise against the lutefisk. And the Hump.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:06:53
Bwahahaha!! Best. Comment. EVER.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 07:39:09
His name is Cooper. He’s a rescued Red Heeler and the best thing in my life (I’m sure my boyfriend would appreciate me saying that.) [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/2ptxb0n.jpg[/IMG]
(Maybe the IMG worked? If not: http://tinypic.com/r/2ptxb0n/6
The Dells are super fun, unless you grew up there. Then you have an ingrained distaste for any and all tourists, especially the people who buy the rastafarian-touristy-three-wolf-moon shirts and wear them immediately. If you have any questions, I can tell you which places to avoid like the plague.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 09:45:07
You need to go to the state fair! The people watching is AMAZING!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:06:35
I actually hate all fairs (I know…I’m crazy) but I think you’re right. The people watching alone would make the trip worthwhile. I’ll also probably go all “Templeton” a la Charlotte’s web and consume my weight in Minnesota dairy products.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:13:13
“fairs” are generally awful, but MN does have one of the best, I only go when there’s a good concert and get tickets to that.
I am so thankful that you’re well versed in MOA and don’t need to add that on your list.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 09:46:31
Born and raised in MN. Still live here. I have not done many of the things on your “flask” list. I better get on that! Good luck to you. Definitely go to Two Harbors. Beautiful area!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 09:47:10
I’ve recently started reading your blog and love it! I’m a fellow Minnesotah transplant. I personally would skip on the tater tot hot dish, but some people really love it.
You should probably add the SPAM Museum to your list. It’s an entire museum dedicated to the canned ham located in Austin, MN. It’s free, sometimes you’ll get lucky and score free samples, and there’s a gift store full of all types of SPAM souvenirs. It’s definitely one of a kind!
You should take a visit to the MN State Fair in August too. A place where you can find almost any food on a stick is always a good idea
In Blue Earth, MN there is a giant Jolly Green Giant statue which I happened to find during a pee break along Interstate 90.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 09:49:31
I forgot to add that there is a curling club in St. Paul next to the Happy Gnome (very good food) where you can watch curling. A group of friends and I randomly ended up drinking beer there one Saturday afternoon.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:03:47
Scott and I actually wound up at that SAME club on a Sunday afternoon, too! We wanted to stay, but had a bunch of errands to run, so we weren’t able to. Looked like so much fun! We actually had a “curling” Christmas party at my work a few years ago, and it was seriously awesome. I have to confess that I still dream of competing in the Olympics, and curling might just be my only hope
Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:21:21
I was born and raised in MN but now live in Iowa (agh – MN is waaay better).
Go to a Vikings / Twins / Gophers game.
Go to the Meander (around the Montevideo area) in October.
Valleyfair!
Have a picnic at Minnehaha Falls.
Make Lefse – or find an old grandma to make it for you
Jul 18, 2012 @ 11:23:53
I love your blog. I’m originally from Minnesota, and I now live in Nebraska, but other than that I think we’re practically the same person!
As for your flask list, you definitely need to go to the State Fair, it is unlike any other state fair I’ve ever seen. Be sure to go down the big green slide and watch the lumberjack shows.
And then, you need to do the Polar Plunge in Duluth. Yea, it is a bunch of crazy people jumping into Lake Superior in the winter… But that’s no big deal, really
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:28:37
I’m a transplant to MN as well (from TN) I haven’t been to it yet but the state fair needs to be on your list. Very fun but not as widely know is the Back to the 50s car show. Also you need to attend an of the little towns “days” ie Prairie Schooner Days, BBQ days, River Lake Days…. You get the idea. There is some big to do with st Paul and hiding a medallion during the winter. Also, try snicker salad
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:34:32
The state fair is a MUST! Even if you don’t like fairs, it is one of the best in the country, and it should be done at least once. While you are there, you need to get the deep fried pickles (the cream cheeese version) and the Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookes… trust me.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 18:36:40
As long as you are going to Two Harbors, stop in Duluth and take in the beautiful lake and lift bridge. Then you can head over to the curling club and check off #18. On the drive up to Two Harbors take Scenic Highway 61 (NOT the expressway) and stop at Betty’s Pies. If it is in the summertime (don’t go in the winter!) stop at Gooseberry Falls and the Split Rock Lighthouse (but don’t pay to go inside – you can’t really see anything!). If you want to complete the tour of the North Shore, keep going to Grand Marais. It is a super cute lakefront town and they have some awesome villas to stay in along the way!
And please don’t try lutefisk. It is not worth the emotional trauma!
Jul 19, 2012 @ 06:47:53
I lived in MN as a kid and now live in the dirty south and miss it terribly! So let me reminisce:
1. Do the ‘Circle Tour’. Be sure to take the ferry ride through the Soo Locks.
2. State Fair. Must eat at least 2 different things on a stick. And visit at least one animal barn.
3. Participate in a rousing game of broomball.
4. Ice fish in a shanty!
5. See the Ice Palace during the St. Paul Winter Carnival.
6. Visit the tropical house at the MN Zoo during winter.
7. Take a Duck tour at the Wisconsin Dells.
8. Go snowmobiling.
9. Go ice skating in shorts in March. Or wash your car in shorts in the snow. (typical MN thing to do).
10. Go to St. Paul Saints game and participate in a least one silly thing.
*sorry if any of these things don’t exist anymore
Jul 19, 2012 @ 09:31:10
great post, Kota is the new Sota, love it!
Jul 20, 2012 @ 11:44:55
I am not a fan of the State Fair, but it is a sight to see. I think the people are the best attraction.
My add to your list? Play Duck Duck Gray Duck. It’s like Duck Duck Goose, only WAY better. Your creative side will appreciate the MN version. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_duck_gray_duck
I am well versed in the ‘Kota…my dear husband hails from the middle of the state. If you do go, be sure to travel West. The Eastern half is almost unbelievably flat and fairly un-scenic.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 15:49:38
wow, i’ve done 14 of the things on your list INCLUDING making a vegan tator tot hot dish. mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 16:33:53
Oooh! Can you share your recipe?
Aug 22, 2012 @ 06:12:39
I know I’m a little late to this party, but I was just catching up on my Google Reader and felt I had to add my two cents about things to do in Minnesota. I’m a transplant as well…from Wisconsin. When you do eat some wonderful cheese from WI, go for cold cheese curds. The squeekier, the better. When you visit Two Harbors, definitely also visit Duluth. I’m a little biased though, probably because I live in Duluth.
While in Duluth, visit some of the local restaurants. We’ve had 2 featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives: Duluth Grill and Sara’s Table/Chester Creek Cafe. Sara’s Table is one of my favorite places to get brunch on the weekends. You can also take in a hockey game while in Duluth. At U of MN Duluth we have two outstanding Div 1 hockey teams (men’s & women’s). Come anytime between October and March and there will proabably be a game happening on the weekend. Enger Tower is probably one of the best places to get a panoramic view of Duluth and the harbor. It was rededicated last year by, I believe, the King of Norway. I agree with the comments above, take the scenic drive up the North Shore to get to Two Harbors. I also agree that you should just keep going up the shore, the views are just breathtaking. One of my favorite places on the shore is Tettegouche State Park…amazing views of Lake Superior.