Blue Earth

From Vermillion, we cruised all day through Minnesota and Wisconsin on our way to Neenah. Unfortunately, we had to pass up some awesome offers to meet new folks in Minneapolis, get a tour of the local public radio station, and hang out on a disc-golf ranch. All things we’ll make time for on the next come through. This time, we had to make it to our friend’s place for trick-or-treating.

Having a time-line and a putting dates on things really changes the character of the trip. You just can’t schedule the kind of fun we’ve been having, and this adds some level of stress – no matter how minor – that I’d like to avoid. As I type, there are two more I can think of: Angela’s birthday (Nov 5th – NYC) and Thanksgiving (Texas) that will be pushing us forward.

Anyway, more interstate highway today. Long stretches of uneventful driving and 18-wheelers.

A quick stop in Blue Earth, MN to run around the Jolly Green Giant was about all we had time for today. Ho, Ho, Ho, Green Giant. That one.

Blue Earth was the title of the first Jayhawks album (my least favorite), so I assume this is it. The all-time best is Hollywood Town Hall, and it’s not too far away from here either. Also, we drove right past the SPAM museum in Austin, MN. We were actually planning on stopping, but the town just smelled like SPAM, so we kept driving. Not a smell I will allow my nostrils to get used to.

Drive drive drive sputter. We pull over and I pop the engine lid and take a look. The connector on the choke on one of the carbs doesn’t look right. I wiggle the wire to make sure it has a good connection. SNAP!  The spade lug breaks right off the carb. It’s not supposed to do that.

There is just no good way to quick-fix this puppy and we’re on the side of the road and it’s cold. Fortunately, Parker sent me away from Whitefish with a soldering iron and I get to put it to use.  First, I have to dig up a spare cigarette lighter socket that i just happen to have (future project) and wire it to the battery. Then plug in the mini-inverter, then plug in the soldering iron (add extension cord to the shopping list.)  Roadside emergency soldering – a first for me.  I solder the wire directly to what’s left of the terminal, fire it up, and we’re on our way again.

We cross the Mississippi and we make it to the Strubbes’ by dark.