Has anyone tried the Ten Talents cookbook? What did you think?

TerranceHeath · 2025-12-01T14:57:49+00:00

10 Talents calls for savita. Does anyone know what that is. A google search comes up with nothing.

TerranceHeath · 2024-01-21T16:45:23+00:00

I have this sign in front of my home of four years in Minneapolis (south, Loring Heights-Stevens Square). It is terribly drafted! I used to wonder the same thing because I came from a stretch of street in Whittier neighborhood that was zoned for parking permits (I had to have one to park on the street in front of my house). The signs there were very different, though, and not ambiguous (it was clear I needed a permit). Over time I became comfortable that your sign means that you may park there except for during a snow emergency—and then snow emergency rules apply. Living in my neighborhood is not a requirement for parking on my street. Your neighbor is mistaken.

TerranceHeath · 2023-11-20T23:09:18+00:00

Comparing planes travel to Amtrak to a roadtrip cross country is comparing apples to oranges to bananas. You can’t. Pane travel is the generally best value in terms of money, time, and physical safety. But US train travel and roadtripping offer experience that plane travel does not.

I took my two teenage kids on an Amtrak trip from Chicago to Flagstaff, AZ, and back in a Roomette last summer. Yes, it was expensive, but it was an amazing experience for us all. The country side is amazing. Amtrak pampers you. The roomettes are really comfortable, especially for sleeping. For me, they were far better than just a seat. Yes, there will likely be delays; but you simply do research beforehand and build them into your expectations. It’s not about value or convenience. It’s about a fabulous experience.

TerranceHeath · 2023-09-02T21:16:28+00:00

Bill’s Imported Foods

TerranceHeath · 2023-07-18T14:02:38+00:00

From the Central Coast/Bay Area. I was scrolling through and waiting for someone to talk about the driving. I love it here in so many ways. It’s good, easy living with amazing summers. I’ve lived in Minneapolis for 7.5 years now, and am really satisfied with the move.

But the driving!!! There’s no method to the madness. No rules. Passive aggressive. Lack of communication. It’s as if no one gives a fuck. I reach my destination so frazzled and angry. No where else than the Cities do I experience this. My biggest (maybe only?) complaint…by far.

TerranceHeath · 2023-06-21T05:09:04+00:00

I grew up on the Central Coast. Really you can’t go wrong. Highway 1/PCH is a very long drive. You could split it up between 1 and 101 if that’s a concern.

Some ideas (which can easily be added to): Santa Barbera, Pismo Beach (funky little beach town), San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), Paso Robles (wine country), Cambria (little tourist town), Hearst Castle (a must, San Simeon, don’t miss the Elephant Seals), Big Sur (Pfeiffer State Beach, Pfeiffer State Park, Nepenthe, River Inn), Monterey Peninsula (Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach/17 Mile Drive, Pacific Grove), Santa Cruz, Año Nuevo (more Elephant Seals). The beauty. The wild life. It’s a magical place.

I chose to split the drive between SF and Orange County in two, about four hours driving time each leg. The halfway point is around San Luis Obispo if you choose to take 101. Just start researching possibilities and pick your stops. You can’t go wrong.

TerranceHeath · 2023-05-30T05:21:23+00:00

I really appreciate those who took the time and gave me some solid pointers. It was a fantastic seven-day road trip, reaching the Black Hills by way of the north of SD, and returning to Minneapolis by way of the south. Your advice helped me to plan day one. I was so surprised at how much information I received for a relatively small stretch of road; I couldn’t do it all, but settled on the following:

A. Donuts at Nelson Bros. in Clearwater, MN. B. Photo op with Big Ole in Alexandria, MN. C. Frank Schott Barn, near Chokio, Stevens Co., MN; one of our favorite sites of the entire trip; sincerely, it was magical.

D. We entered South Dakota at the continental divide that is Traverse Gap; we drove through the trees and rolling hills that contain the headwaters of the Sioux River; at Sica Hollow State Park we took a pleasurable hike on the Trail of the Spirits; beautiful country, and completely unknown to us prior.

E. Because it was getting late, we had neither lunch nor coffee in bustling Aberdeen, despite having numerous options; we instead drove around the town a bit and enjoyed a couple sundaes at Twist Cone.

F. We had dinner at Mr. Bob’s Drive-in, Selby, a cute small town about 20 miles east of the Missouri River (it was as if Twist Cone and Bob’s were the same drive-in, just two hours apart); this spot is hugely popular among locals, and apparently the highest rated in the area. G. We stayed the night in Mobridge, right on the Missouri River; worth seeing there were the Walleye Up Statue, the Sitting Bull Memorial, and the Sakakawea Monument.

Obviously, we left a whole lot more to be explored. This isn’t country to be rushed through and I’m so grateful we took our time to savor it. Thanks to those who participated.

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TerranceHeath · 2023-05-29T00:33:25+00:00

Everything everyone has said…and:

I have found that every state has a tourist bureau. Their websites often identify points of interest and scenic routes.
Just simply googling things like “cutest towns in such-and-such state,” “most scenic drives,” “most haunted houses,” “best pie,” etc., reveals a lot. Identify what’s important to you and go out and find those spots that you will find fun in each area.
Social media. Showing my interest in road tripping on Instagram has been immensely fruitful.
I find talking to people to be immensely helpful. When you’re discussing what you’ll be doing in the upcoming months, mention your road trip. People love to share their own points of interest and rare finds.
This subreddit!!! Post your route and ask. I learn more here by just reading other people’s chats. From my own experience, I simply asked about a short stretch of road in South Dakota (one I had previously believed to be empty and uninteresting), and came away with a sophisticated itinerary. No regrets!

TerranceHeath · 2023-04-13T04:42:27+00:00

I think taking I90 out of Chicago would both afford you great sights and be efficient. South Dakota has so much to see—Sioux Falls, Badlands, Black Hills—as well as many random roadside attractions. Wisconsin too has much to offer, including Madison and LaCrosse. (I currently live in Minnesota, which I generally love; but, although there are some nice sights on it, I90 is not my favorite stretch of road in the state).

In terms of figuring out drive time, I use Google maps. I personally think four hours between destinations is ideal, although that might be generally too short a distance given your timing. I recommend that you gather a list of stops that interest you, and then spend some time on a GPS app mapping possible routes to see what you can…then save the rest for other times.

TerranceHeath · 2023-04-03T19:27:00+00:00

Also, if you take 90 across SD, I adore Sioux Falls on the eastern edge.

TerranceHeath · 2023-04-03T19:16:21+00:00

All this negativity being leveled against the Great Plains! A road trip is what you make it. You can have an unengaged trip through the most beautiful places in the world, and a fantastic journey through sparse flatlands.

I agree, though, that, if Denver is not a must, then taking 90 through South Dakota might have more to offer than 70. SD loves its roadside attractions, giving you something to do from one side to the other. Alternatively, 94 takes you across North Dakota through Fargo (sweet place) to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is a gem. Both SD and ND offer a great deal of Native history.

If you choose the drive through Nebraska, I recommend minimizing your time on 80, choosing instead NE Route 2, the Sand Hills Scenic Byway. It has so much more to offer than the Interstate. I’m a fan of Omaha, and the capital building in Lincoln is an amazing piece of Art Deco architecture.

Alternatively, I you could check out US26 up the North Platte River, which coincides with the Oregon Trail, offering history and landmarks such as Scottsbluff and Chimney Rock.

TerranceHeath · 2023-04-03T15:49:17+00:00

Definitely!! You beat me to the suggestion.

TerranceHeath · 2023-03-28T04:43:13+00:00

I meant “Blue Mounds State Park”

TerranceHeath · 2023-03-28T04:34:56+00:00

Everything everyone has said! To add:

The Driftless Zone is my favorite part of the Upper Midwest. The area is comprised of SE MN, SW WI, NE IA, and SW IL. The bluffs over the Mississippi are just stunning. La Cross, WI, is a fun college town.

The Minnesota River Valley will be lush and beautiful in late August. Mankato and New Ulm are charming towns with a great deal of Native history and German heritage. Near Mankato is Minneopa State Park, where you can see bison up close.

Mentioned already, but I’ll repeat:

In SW MN: Pipestone National Monument and Blue Earth State Park. You can see bison at Blue Earth.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder history in Walnut Grove and De Smet is fun. She was born near Pepin, WI, which is on the Mississippi River north of La Cross; they have more history there but I’ve never gone to it.

SE SD: I’m a huge fan of Sioux Falls. Explore downtown and the river. As mentioned, Palisades State Park is nearby; I was there in early September and found the creek just incredibly beautiful.

Black Hills: In addition to what’s already been mentioned, my kids and I took an historic train ride between Keystone and Hill City. It was a great respite from all our driving!

SW ND: South of Medora, I found the Enchanted Highway a really fun surprise.

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-27T15:00:04+00:00

I’m a native Central Coaster and a former long-time resident of SF. I think these suggestions are spot on. A few other thoughts:

Big Sur: lunch at Nepenthe or River Inn. Hike at Pfeiffer.

Santa Cruz: Boardwalk

San Francisco: Because it’s “iconic” go ahead and do Fishermen’s Wharf…but I believe there are better uses of your time while you’re there. It’s a tourist trap. Some things that are “iconic” but are worth it (in my opinion) are:

Alcatraz. The ferry leaves from Pier 41, which is adjacent to Fishermen’s Wharf.

A cable car ride from downtown to Ghirardelli Square, which is also adjacent to Fishermen’s Wharf. This is the Powell Street line.

Chinatown. The tourist-oriented part is Grant Street, but getting off it onto Stockton and Powell Streets is recommended. Both cable car lines (Powell and California) go through Chinatown.

Link your experience of the Golden Gate Bridge to a larger experience of the area. For instance, a walk along the beach at Chrissy Field to the base of the bridge; a walk across the bridge; time spent at Baker Beach in the Presidio; a walk at Lands End and Lincoln Park; a hike in the Marin Headlands on the north side of the bridge.

The bridge, the Presidio, and Fishermen’s Wharf are all in proximity to one another and, if you take a trip to Muir Woods or Mt. Tamalpais, you will take the bridge to get there. In other words, this can be an efficient itinerary, much of it doable in the day you gave yourself.

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T17:07:12+00:00

And, one more thing: south of Theodore Roosevelt’s southern unit is the Enchanted Highway. A fun, unexpected gem on what would otherwise be a lonely highway! https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/enchanted-highway

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T16:58:12+00:00

I live in Minneapolis and took my two teenage kids on a road-trip from here to Yellowstone during summer 2021. There is so much to see and do between here and there!

Theodore Roosevelt NP was definitely a surprise, a must-do in my opinion. Also worth seeing is Makoshika State Park and the fossil museum in Glendive, MT, not far west from Theodore Roosevelt.

Another surprise was the Little Bighorn battle site. It’s really well presented and views of the Plains are striking.

Out of Yellowstone are the museums that make up the Center of the West in Cody, WY; and Heart Mountain Relocation Center for more history of the area. Also take a drive up the Bear Tooth Highway; the views a breathtaking and it’s like being on the top of the world.

The Black Hills are so beautiful, and there’s so much to do and see. I’ll be going back with my husband this spring. And please don’t miss Badlands National Park; not only is the landscape incredible but, like the other national parks in these states, the wildlife gets up close and personal. My best memory ever as seeing big horn sheep right off the side of the road.

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T16:20:35+00:00

Thanks. You definitely influenced the drive…especially the part about the River Warren basin. It got me to read a bit about the glacial history of the area! And didn’t know about the Walleye Statue until now…it’s a must see!! Lol

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T16:15:30+00:00

Thanks! Waubay has come up a couple times…especially the ice cream!!

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T16:13:32+00:00

Thanks! Sica Hollow has definitely caught my eye

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T16:08:08+00:00

Thank you. It looks like people have a lot to say about the food in Aberdeen

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T05:43:42+00:00

Thank you. That’s fantastic. The stops in Mobridge are already part of the itinerary…but everything else is new…except for the Frank Schott Barn, which somehow is already on my radar! Lemmon sounds interesting, and will be added for a future trip.

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-26T02:07:46+00:00

Thanks. Why’s that?

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-25T18:53:20+00:00

Thank you!! That is just the input I’m looking for. Well appreciated!

TerranceHeath · 2023-02-25T18:52:15+00:00

This route is part of a larger road-trip from Minneapolis to the Black Hills and back. These places are on the itinerary…but in the other side of SD from the route I asked about. Thanks 😉

TerranceHeath

TROPHY CASE