Last weekend I played a rare 36 holes in one day: the early round at The Summit Golf Club in Cannon Falls and the later round at the Meadows of Mystic Lake in Prior Lake. I’ve written about both courses earlier in the year, but I didn’t take any pictures of The Summit previously. Check out the 7MM photo section for lots of recent additions.

We paid our first visit this year to Inver Wood Golf Course in Inver Grove Heights last week. This city-owned Garrett Gill design is a popular layout that was very busy on a Saturday afternoon. Pace of play was a little slow on the front nine, but several groups dropped out at the turn and the rangers were doing a good job of keeping things moving.

A pair of wild turkeys paid us a visit on the par-5 seventh hole and I just love that this course has no houses on it. The overall conditioning was very good, especially compared to some of the other damage I’ve seen recently on local courses. The dramatic par-3 twelfth hole was as exciting as ever, but I realized that this is really a tough course for the average golfer. Very different from the usual wide-open muni course.

Earlier this week, we took the family to my 37th annual visit to the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. The highlight for me was going to the top of the DNR’s fire tower–an attraction that has been closed since 1978. The new Miracle of Birth and Eco Experience buildings were also very nice.

Of course, there are really only two reasons to go to the fair: people-watching and food. The crowds have been light due to the rainy weather, but I still managed to find a few people I knew. Favorite T-shirt sighting: black shirt with white letters – “I AM A LIAR.”

It’s getting really expensive to eat at the fair, so my intake is controlled as much by my wallet as by my desire to keep my weight in check. The list this year:

• Pronto Pups (2)
• Tom Thumb Donuts
• Sweet Martha Cookies
• Kiwanis Vanilla Malt
• Danielson’s Onion Rings (who were celebrating their 50th year at the fair with a new trailer booth)
• Cheese Curds
• Bull Bites
• Macaroni-on-a-Stick

Only missed out on the french fries and the original dairy building malts…DK

Above: tinted primer applied earlier this week. Today we wrapped up most of the painting: navy blue walls, white columns. One section was left blank, as we are waiting for the projector so we can paint the screen accurately (Silverscreen, by Behr). Tomorrow we get more estimates for flooring and will attempt to locate some nice used room dividers…DK

Last night I drove my kids to Grand Marais on the North Shore of Lake Superior to stay with my parents for a few days before school starts. Four hours and 15 minutes door-to-door, stayed overnight, then left at 7:30 a.m. to return for more painting in the new office. This was my first, and likely only, visit there this summer, unfortunately. Sven and Ole’s was closed, but I did get some donuts at the donut shop…DK

Dellwood Hills Golf Club, a private club located in the northeast suburbs, is offering a fall membership promotion. Join now and only pay social dues until April 30, 2007 ($40 per month). Initiation fees start at $6,000 for one member and include $500 stock. Click here to download a PDF information sheet from the club.

The Wild have a nice booth at the Minnesota State Fair on the second floor of the Grandstand, with special guests every day.

Today Mark Parrish was signing photos from 3:30-4:30 and was really personable. He seemed to be very happy to be back in Minnesota and anxious to start playing.

Picked up tickets for two more games: October 12th versus Washington and October 27th versus Anaheim. Only three weeks to pre-season…DK