“Bizarre Foods” on the Travel Channel: Season 2, Episode 4 recap

by Aaron Hotfelder on

Location: Andrew‘s adopted home state of Minnesota, where he’s lived for 16 years.

Episode Rating: 3 Sheep Testicles (out of 4)

Summary: Andrew heads to tiny Cyrus, Minnesota, for a supper at a senior center-slash-diner. On the menu is a Scandinavian dish called lutefisk, which is cod that’s prepared with powdered lye and resembles a slab of see-through fish gelatin. Perhaps the only thing more translucent than the lutefisk was the skin of the two women Andrew was dining with, who were a combined 193-years-old.

After his trip to Cyrus, Andrew heads to the Minnesota state fair near St. Paul, where he samples deep-fried Spam nuggets and every food that can conceivably be served on a stick, including spaghetti-and-meatballs and a reuben. In Andrew’s conversations with fellow fair-goers, one can hear more “oot’s” and “aboot’s” than in an NHL locker room.

After the state fair, Andrew heads to a “meat raffle,” which sounds like something that might happen at a bachelorette party, but is actually just a raffle for meat. As Andrew explains: “Buy a ticket. Spin the wheel. Win a pot roast.” Sadly, our host didn’t have much success at the ol’ meat raffle: “Fifteen spins of the wheel, 122 dollars later, and I’m still a big loser.”

It wouldn’t be an episode of Bizarre Foods if Andrew didn’t eat some testicles, and in this episode it’s those of a wild boar. “Fabulous,” he declares.

Finally, Andrew heads to the White Earth Re-Discovery Center to harvest some wild rice, and then goes up to a small northern Minnesota town and samples some sauerkraut pie at– where else– Betty’s Pies.

Bizarre Foods: Spaghetti-and-Meatballs On A Stick; Lutefisk; Deer Heart; Pig Toe; Fish Eyes; Deep-fried Spam Nuggets, Chicken Gizzards, A “Goober Burger”– A Hamburger Topped with Peanut Butter and Mayo; Herring Row (mmm!)

For more on this episode, check out Andrew’s blog here.

AmericInn markets quiet rooms

by Catherine Bodry on

What do you look for in a hotel room? Soft sheets, a balcony, a decent rate?

AmericInn, a fast-growing mid-range chain based in Minnesota, is betting you’re also looking for quiet. The company began advertising a new sleeping amenity called SoundGuard at its 213 hotels. SoundGard is a construction material — instead of using wood-frame construction, the company uses masonry blocks filled with “sound-deadening foam,” plus thicker-than-usual drywall.

The result? A better night’s sleep, or so they’re hoping. Other hotels have made attempts to silence noise from traffic, pipes, and that loving couple next door by implementing double-paned windows, “quiet floors” for daytime sleepers, and softer heating and cooling systems.

As a patron of the never-quiet youth hostels, I find that earplugs are a much cheaper way to get a quiet night’s rest.

[via NY Times]

Extreme Geography in the United States

by Justin Glow on

Catherine’s post on the not-so-well-known geographical center of the United States got me thinking: there’s something fun and intriguing about visiting, say, the northernmost point in a country, or perhaps driving eastward until you can drive no further — if only so that you can say, “There’s no one further east than me,” unless there’s someone else standing next to you. If so you’ll have to say, “There’s no one further east than me…and this other person.” But somehow that’s not quite as romantic. Unless it’s a girl and you’re a guy and there’s a bit of chemistry going on. Anyway. Here we go:

All 50 states:

48 Contiguous:

P.S. This is my 500th post with Gadling. Woo!

Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center

by Adrienne Wilson on

Fargo may not be the world’s center for ragin’ night life or amusement parks for the kiddies, but there is one place for both children and adults I recommend visiting if staying in the North Dakota town. However, depending on where you are in the area you’ll probably need to drive a few miles, maybe 3-5 to get to the Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center which is actually located across the state line in neighboring city, Moorhead, MN. I found the place when I put in a search online for Fargo attractions. I’d never heard of it, but it seemed worth investigating.

It was noted that a man by the name of Robert Asp from Moorhead had dreamed of building a replica Viking ship and sailing it to Norway, the land of his ancestors. Asp started on his rather outlandish task back in the early 1970’s and naturally people thought him crazy and out of his mind. He completed building his Viking ship and test sailed it the same year he died in 1980 of lukemia, just short of sailing his ship the long haul, but his family members saw his dream through and made the voyage in 1982 to Norway where they were welcomed greatly. During a visit to the center you’ll see a video about Asp and his ship. It’s a very touching and inspiring piece and really shaped our entire visit. When we arrived we found out that the ship was having some work done on it and we wouldn’t be able to view it, which was a complete bummer. Yet, the video, our fantastic tour guide, John, and a trip to the Norwegian style church located in the back of the center saved all. Plus they gave us a discounted rate. The ship should be available to view by late November according to John and if you have the opportunity I say check it out!

Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center is located at 202 First Avenue North, Moorhead, MN 56561. Ph 218.299.5511

Fall Into St. Paul

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’m going to follow after Erik, who left us a list of links, just hours ago today on some of the best spots to experience fall. Having taken a look at the two lists I must say I’m surprised St. Paul. MN didn’t make the cut. I just spent three days in the city for the first-time ever and nearly fainted from such delightful fall beauty along the Mississippi River. I could very well be deprived from my living in Florida, So. California and Hawaii the last nine years of my life, but I thought the scene in St. Paul was something right out of a fairytale book. What I’m offering is my first-hand account of the seasonal grandeur and if you so happen take my advice before things take a turn towards the cold take a walking tour of the Summit-Selby neighborhood. Long known as a meeting place for people and ideas since the 1850’s, there are rows of Victorian-style mansions as well as small cozy homes mixed together. Famous names associated with the area include F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, August Wilson and Garrison Keillor. Really, it’s an area beyond enchanting.

If you’ve got the chance to make a run from a nearby area or somewhere just teeny ways further off, I’d throw Minnesota on your list of autumn destinations, NOW! St. Paul is just one of many fab Minnesota spots to watch the leaves breeze down from their branches to the ground. Check the Minnesota tourism bureau online for more recommendations statewide.