The Sportsman Show in St. Paul: Midwest Hunting and Fishing!

Meet Shantell!

She is a former school teacher who is now a representative for Midwest Hunting and Fishing.   As part of her job, she gets to go on wonderful adventures and write about them!

It was a pleasure meeting you Shantell!

The Sportsman's Show in St. Paul: WeFest!

Meet Mark!

 Mark is responsible for managing, sponsoring, sales and promotions for WeFest!  WeFest is a huge music festival that runs 3 days in Detroit Lakes.  So, if you are interested, in 2016 it is Aug 4-6th.   Register and find lodging soon!

The Fort Garry Hotel: The Palm Room Decor

The Palm Room has a wonderful domed ceiling with a beautiful chandelier. 

And, the lobby featured this Christmas tree.   It was quite stunning.

The Palm Room at the Fort Garry: A Band on a Friday Night

I liked this jazz band quite a lot. 

And, they had a small crowd of people that clearly knew who they were and were happy to be listening.

Nicely done, gentlemen.

The Palm Room at the Fort Garry in Winnipeg

I've mentioned before that I like staying at the Fort Garry hotel when I travel to Winnipeg.  It is over 150 years old.   And, the Palm Room is a wonderful testament to a more glorious era.  

I am often there late on a Friday afternoon because I couldn't make the last flight out.  So, I stop at the Palm Room to listen to wonderful music.

This gentleman was a wonderful keyboard player and vocalist.  And, his business card is long gone after I cleaned my office! 

Eagle Magic: With Larry

I have known Larry from Eagle Magic for years.   When I was doing a lot of traveling and when the kids were small, I decided it would be healthier to learn sleight of hand magic rather than hang around a bar.   And, the kids would have a very cool father.

The kids didn't think it was that cool.  But, I did!

I love walking into Larry's store (Eagle Magic ).  Everything on the shelves is mysterious and holds a secret.

How can you now be curious about the "Coin in the Bottle" routine??

Or, the famous Vanishing kit and color changing silks?

Thanks Larry.   You are a gracious and delightful person.   And, you have helped keep me entertained, and have helped entertain thousands of people.  

My sincere thanks!

Raptor Release: The Bald Eagle

This eagle was not able to be released.  His wings had been too badly damaged.  So, he was a permanent resident of the facility.

I thought he looked awesome. 

Raptor Release: 4 The Bald Eagle

Three birds were released the morning session.  Another three were released in the afternoon.  But, people really wanted to see the bald eagle. 

He had been hit by a car, suffered a broken wing, and had been nursed back to health.   

It was pretty amazing to see him take flight.  He basically starts from zero...with just a toss.

He needs to pick up speed quickly to gain altitude.  And, once in the air, he can go where he wants.

I was fortunate that he turned in a semi-circle back towards me.  

Then, he was on his way.

Raptor Release: 3

The first of the raptors to be release.

A Kestrel falcon.

And, his moment of freedom!

Raptor Release: 2

Local camera clubs were out in force!

And I was suffering from some lens envy.

Raptor Release: 1

At the end of September, the University of Minnesota Raptor Center announced a raptor release day.   This is a pretty impressive thing to see.

So, I wasn't surprised at the several hundred people who showed up.

And, took a seat.

To watch and celebrate. 

Returning to Key West for One More Post!

I had the chance to go on a "Ghost" tour on my last night in Key West.   In short, they drive you around in an open-air bus with very hard wooden seats.  I need to put more weight on if I ride in that again.

They stop at various locations around the area and tell about people who died due to illness and murder (rarely just old age because that isn't very exciting).  One of the interesting stops was at the a fort used by the Union forces during the Civil War.  This is interesting because most of the area was Confederate territory!

After the war, this fort because a hospital.  The area experienced several yellow fever outbreaks.  In July of 1852, the "Eldorado" anchored 3 miles off shore with 300 passengers, 75 of whom were sick with cholera, yellow fever and/or chagres fever. The vessel was prohibited from docking.  So, the crew tossed the dead into the ocean. 

Later that year, the "Star of the West" was cut lose from its moorings after local authorities learned there were sick and dying on board.  Again, the dead were tossed overboard.

Now...on to the photo below.  Locals were hired as "hookers" to row into the ocean and "hook" the floating dead to prevent them from washing on shore.  They they rowed them out at least 7 miles before letting them go. 

As part of the tour, we were left alone inside the fort for a bit under the pretext that the guide had left something in the bus.  This gentlemen appeared behind us and told us about his job as a "hooker". 

I am pretty glad I didn't live there in the 1880's.  

Leaving Key West

It wasn't late when I walked back to the hotel.   I turned to get one last look.  Sloppy Joe's is definitely one of the landmarks in Key West.  I was glad to have visited. 

This is about 10:00 PM on a Thursday night.   I was surprised.  I thought it would be much more lively.

As for Key West, I was glad I visited.  I have wanted to go for some time.  But, I am not sure I will be back.   On the other hand, I may need to go deep sea fishing one of these days!

Sloppy Joe's: Wrapping Up the Last of the Customers

This was the last couple I shot before leaving Sloppy Joe's.   They were further away from me and were busy chatting as I walked by them a few times.

As I was getting ready to leave, I walked by them once more and they looked up enough to catch my eye.  

My sincere thanks for taking a few minutes to let me get a photo!

Sloppy Joe's: More Customers

This couple was sitting next to me on the other side.   I think they were intrigued by the camera and me talking to people at various tables.

Once I got to their table, they were very gracious.  They were having a lovely time.  I was thankful they let me intrude for a few minutes!

Sloppy Joe's: Even MORE Customers

The two women (center and left) were at the table next to us.  The woman from yesterday's post (on the right) talked them into letting me take their photo...and joining in again!

My sincere thanks!

Sloppy Joe's: Even More Customers

If memory servers me correctly, this couple was down for a long weekend and were celebrating an anniversary.  

They were absolutely delightful and charming.  And, she helped convince the table next to us that they should let me take their photo!  (That photo is tomorrow's post!)

Sloppy Joe's: More Customers

Bring out a camera, and everyone wants to get into a photo!

I have no idea if all of these people were together.  It was incredibly loud and people were crowded about.   But, they were having fun.  

And, I know someone spilled a margarita on me.  But, they missed the camera and hat!

Sloppy Joe's: Customers!

I liked this couple.  They were most gracious and willing to let me take a photo.   It took a while to get across that I wanted to take a photo.  It was...NOISY!

I suspect that is why I don't have any additional information about who they are.   But, they were having fun!

Key West: The Band at Sloppy Joes

Meet the base player!

And, here is the band hard at work!

It was loud. 

Key West: The Band at Sloppy Joes:

Meet the lead guitar player!

Key West: The Band at Sloppy Joes

A band was gearing up to play so I asked if I could get a few photos!

Meet the rhythm guitar player and lead singer.

And, I am appalled that I have lost all my notes about the band!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today my dad turns 89.

Happy birthday, Dad.  

Key West: Sloppy Joes

My last night in Key West, I decided I needed photos for the blog!   More specifically, photos of people!

Meet Laura!

I stopped by Sloppy Joe's for a little nighttime refreshment.   And, she was the lovely, and very efficient, waitress!

Thanks Laura!