Ragbrai

Ragbrai is almost here.

Ragbrai is a bike ride across Iowa though a lot of small towns. It is one of the biggest turnout bike rides in the world. People come from all over the world but mostly the US to ride the week long bike ride. One of the nicest things on Ragbrai are the friendly people of Iowa. At the overnight towns you can find dinners at local churches. Get in line because so many times they sell out very quickly. The feeling you get from a church dinner is so wonderful and you know the money is going to a good cause too. I will be riding most of the week and plan to photograph some church dinners, Mr Pork Chop and any other food related things on Ragbrai.

Setting up locations

Altoona, Iowa has 6 church dinners

Altoona United Methodist Church - Bake Potato Bar, Gluten Free Hamburgers, Fruit Pies, and Gluten Free Brownies.

Grinnell, Iowa has 4 church dinners

Grinnell United Methodist Church - Chicken and noodle served with mash potatoes and homemade pies. While waiting in line you can listen to live Dixie Land music. This is the 3rd time Ragbrai has pasted though Grinnell. This dish was created for biker by some veteran biker and past experience with big dinners from the past. Make sure to see the mural on the dinning room wall.

Boone, Iowa has 8 dinner locations

Boone First United Methodist Church - Hot Beef sandwiches served with mash potatoes and coleslaw. Homemade pies for dessert. Ice Tea and Lemon aid.
Trinity Lutheran Church - A taste of Iowa Dinner. All items are raised and grown in Iowa.
A choice of Grilled Chicken Breast, Grilled Pork Chop, Beef Kabob or Veg kabobs served with noodles and Peaches and Cream style Corn. For dessert many different types of pies and the Iowa Cow Pie (no bake cookie).

Wild Rice Restaurant in Bayfield, WI

All images taken with Canon 5D 

Wild Rice Restaurant in Bayfield, WI near Madeline Islandto see inside the Kitchen and more click here

Three Course Tasting Menu

First:

Mixed Baby Greens Salad

or

Creamy Wild Rice Soup

Main:

Pan Roasted Superior Lake Trout

smoked scallop, truffled coconut curry sauce, rapini salad,

pineapple pearl couscous

or

Wood Fire Grilled Teres Major Steak

scallion-sour cream mashed potatoes, grilled white asparagus, truffled mushroom sauce

Dessert:

Mixed Berry Chantilly, Puff Pastry, Fresh Raspberries, Raspberry Glaze

or

Warm Pecan-Wild Rice Cake with homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream

El Tapatio

El Tapatio

1111 1st St South

Willmar MN 56201

320-214-04444

Enchiladas De Camaron

The sauce is to die for. Light and creamy, not heavy at all. A pleasant surprise to a Mexican dish. So many Mexican restaurants give you the same old stuff, but this one was great. This was a great dish to share since we were going to have tea at Spicer Castle at 4pm.

The interior of the restaurant had very beautiful wood booths, chairs and tables with art work on them. I have seen the same booth and table in Arizona and somewhere else. But it is very beautiful artwork I have to say. The birds were on the tabletop.

It was so good Larry had to finish every drop.

The Blue Door

The Blue Door
1811 Selby Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 493-1865

Checked out the Blue Door after seeing the Show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode. We just love the restaurant Guy Fieri finds. What sets the restaurant apart is their burger. Stuffed burger with cheese...do I need to say more. So we just had to try it for ourselves.

For starts we ordered Spam Bites (cream cheese, pickles & spam deep fried served with a sweet chill lime sauce), Beer-Battered Green Bean, and Cheese Curds (from Wisconsin) I would order again the green beans. It was a great twisted to eating your green beans. They even still had a nice crispness to them.

We all tried different burgers and found we didn't want to share. I eat the Bangkok Blucy and it was so juice. The burger was stuffed with mozzarella cheese that is soaked in coconut milk and topped with pickled carrots, cucumbers, red onions, and ginger. The dipping sauce was so delightful but each time I dipped I would loss some of my burger. A very messy burger but the best burger ever.

Christmas in Arizona 2010

Christmas in Arizona 2010

How it is strange to celebrate Christmas without snow on the ground. We opened our gift on the patio in our shorts enjoying the warm weather. Oh how I miss that warm sun right now just thinking of it. My in-law winter in Mesa, Arizona and it is hard for them to drive to Utah for Christmas. So this year we traveled to see them for Christmas. We checked out places around Phoenix, seeing what Arizona had to offer. We hiked Lost Dutchman's trail and could see for miles and miles. Not like home.


Since we were in Arizona why not check out the Grand Canyon. First day was wonderful. Checking each stop to see all the different views of the canyon. I see a trip in my future back to the Grand Canyon staying at the El Tovar Hotel and hiking down the 8 mile trail to the bottom. And yes staying at the Phantom Ranch lodging at the bottom of Grand Canyon.


When we were leaving the Grand Canyon we know it was going to Snow/rain but, it snow harder than what the weatherman predicted. We know now when it snows not to be on Hwy 17... The roads weren't that bad for us, but it was for must of the drives. It turned into a parking lot for 4 hours and only traveling 2 miles. Lesson learned.


One of my favorite shows is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. When we are traveling we try to check out one of the triple D restaurants. On our way back to Phoenix we stop at Brandy's Restaurant & Bakery in Flagstaff, AZ. We enjoyed the Southwest Chutney Melt and Grilled Portabello Mushroom sandwich that was so tasty and filling. This helped us get though those hours stuck on the highway.

On one our days in Phoenix we had to stop at Over Easy Restaurant. Best Breakfast ever....Caramelized banana & pecan brioche French toast.. It just melted in my mouth.


Again I see another trip back to Arizona. Grand Canyon, Over Easy and who know what other places to find.

England 2010

England 2010
Scotland

Sept 27-29

Visited the Roman ruins on the southern boarders of Scotland. Saw the Hadrian's Wall and Roman Forts. Lunch at Deacon Bodie's -beer Deuchers IPA -food Fillet steak strips ciabatta.


Traveled to Edinburgh to our B&B and had dinner at New Bell Restaurant -beers Caledoza Autumn Red. -food mushroom wellington on a bed of potatoes & Salmon potatoes, careen sauce.


Walked the Royal Mile. Visited the Gladstone's Land, Dunfemline Abbey , Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse,

England Wells and Bath

England
Wells and Bath
Sept 21-22nd

Traveled Wells visiting the Cathedral and Vicar's Close houses. Ate at Wells City Arms Pub and Restaurant -beer Leyline and Strong Arms -food Curry Chicken with Wine, Chicken Stuffed with sausage wrapped in bacon. -dessert Apple tart

Traveled to Bath. Visited the Roman Bath House and pump room.







Enjoyed the walking tour though the streets on Bath.


Tea at the Pump Room - tea for two -tea Lapsang Souchey Smoky and Mediterranean Sun, Three different sandwiches, two different scones, four different desserts (fruit tart, coconut bar, chocolate and vanilla cream balls. Dinner at the Best Western Umpley Stoke hotel - food Steak and cabbage, Pancake with mushrooms, spinach and cheese.