Camacho Watcho

Minnesota weather is very unpredictable. One day you’re outside in short sleeves…the next day you need to pull out the wool sweaters. You have to learn to just go with the flow. Although I think I’m pretty good at this, I have to say it was a bit confusing last week when we were hit with an afternoon of slushy snow. I am definitely not ready for winter, but I have to admit that it was a beautiful snowfall, especially the way the huge white flakes contrasted with the bright fall colors.

On a day like this there is only one thing to do – curl up in a coffee shop with a latte…which is exactly what I did.

The State Fair is long gone, but I’m just now getting caught up on a few sets of photos.

Five days at the fair allowed me to capture many fair moments – below is a series of my favorites.

For more fair photos, check out my flickr stream.

It was tough…but we managed through it – shot photos of all the new foods at the fair for Metromix. A big thanks to Sarah for taking on this whirlwind tour of the fair with me! Check out the rest of the photos here.

On our way home from Sauk Center last weekend, we decided to stop for breakfast at Charlie’s Cafe, located right off I-94 in Freeport. We had never heard of it, although it is apparently well-known for its Garrison Keillor affiliation. (Later we read that years ago Keillor spent a lot of time in Freeport and at the cafe which led him to base his Lake Wobegon on Freeport and, some say, to model the Chatterbox Cafe after Charlie’s Cafe.)

Regardless, friends had told us that it’s an iconic Minnesota spot and that we should check it out. Enough said for a Sunday morning – we were there.

Driving up, I loved the huge sign outside that marked the spot “Charlie’s Cafe”. Given that there really isn’t much else around, and certainly no other competing signs, the sign screams at visitors with its bright yellow and red lettering. Walking inside I was instantly in love. From the booths to the display cases and the knick-knacks to the wallpaper, it was a true step back in time.

We took a seat in a small middle booth and immediately ordered coffee and one of their famous caramel rolls. The caramel roll arrived and we dug in – it was gooey, rich and tooth-achingly sweet. Seconds later, it was gone.

Our breakfasts arrived a short while later, the usual for me and a breakfast sandwich with sausage, egg and cheese for Kyle. A little disappointing, as overall it was pretty average fare on both accounts.

Perhaps not for their full breakfast menu, but when in the area again, Charlie’s Cafe’s throw back charm and caramel rolls might be just the thing to draw me back in for a stop.

Most people think that living in Minnesota is nine months of unbearable cold and three months of unbearable hot, humid weather. Add to that statement brisk, clear fall days and cool, wet spring afternoons and that more accurately describes Minnesota weather. But this does not mean that the weather is bad, it is the extremes in weather that make each season uniquely its own for enjoyment.

While I do enjoy each season in its own right, what I want to talk about is summer. Minnesotans love the summer. It is inevitable that if it is a nice day, most Minnesotans will be outside enjoying life…exercising, lounging around, doing water sports, you name it. But one of the favorite weekend activities for Minnesotans is going north to a cabin for a weekend getaway.

We were recently talking to some friends from Atlanta, describing this “going north” concept and they said, “isn’t Minnesota north enough already?” I had never thought of it like that before. And yes, that is true that Minnesota is pretty far north, but if you journey just a bit farther you will find a cabin subculture where Minnesotans go to play.

This past weekend was the scene for an annual cabin party event with good friends. Each year 15-20 friends gather at a cabin just outside Alexandria for good times. We eat, drink, ski, tube, play games, laugh…I won’t go any further in describing the weekend than that. (Although there are many a good story to be told). We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, marriages (Way to go Luke and Georgann for spending the first part of your honeymoon with us this year!), and friendship. It’s a tradition that has lasted 10 years and will hopefully last for a long time to come.

So when you think of Minnesota weather, don’t just picture the cold, winter days. Think of all the Minnesotans up north on a lake in the summer, drinking a cold beer and hanging out with good friends.