The toffee is good too

Hanging near the five pin bowling alley

“Boy with Apple” is used as the concierge of the year award at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Spoil ’em? Just a little…

He would’ve totally loved this trip

Pop > Soda

This town is really something

Off with his head!

The Ghost Bride @ Fairmont Banff Springs

Old shot of the Banff Springs course

Feels colder in C vs. F

MSP-YYC

Temperatures will plummet to values not seen in years…

The Bean still rocks, though

Thanks, AF

We had a great time on Maui last week, despite the record high temps (and crazy dew points). We had lots of great food recommendations from people, but Mama’s Fish House took home the prize for most memorable experience. Located on the central north shore of Maui just outside Paia, Mama’s was a 2018 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant. Open Table says Mama’s is the second most popular restaurant in the United States, Trip Advisor has them listed as a Top 10 U.S. Fine Dining Restaurant, while ZAGAT has them number one for food on Maui. Everyone we talked to said Mama’s was expensive, but also a can’t miss.

Needless to say, expectations were high…

Floyd and Doris Christenson have an awesome backstory. The location, atmosphere and general setting of Mama’s is probably the most Hawaiian thing I’ve ever seen in my life. You turn off the Hana Highway at the fishing boat and enter a lot that offers complimentary valet. Once checked in, you get to roam around their own private beach, which we were told often has sea turtles playing in the water. The day we visited had a high surf warning, so the turtles were (hopefully) playing elsewhere. After checking in at a second host stand, we were escorted into the open-air dining room and seated near the bar.

Our server Lacey was wonderful. We started with fancy tropical drinks: Colleen had a Mama’s Margarita, while I had a Pink Hibiscus (hibiscus, elderflower liqueur, lime, cranberry and Maui PAU vodka). We shared an appetizer of seared island venison with honey lime sauce, which was extremely tender for venison. We both had autumn salads, with Waipoli greens, Kula persimmons, spiced pecans, goat cheese and Tahitian vanilla vinaigrette dressing. For the fish main course, I choose “kanpachi from ocean waters off Hawaii Island,” while Colleen had “onaga caught bottom fishing off Keanae by Joe Hobson.” We both loved that they customized the menu daily with who caught the fish (and where). I was super-excited to order the Polynesian Black Pearl for dessert: lilikoi (passion fruit) chocolate mousse in a pastry seashell (with a beautiful plate presentation – pics after the jump).

When we looked at the menu before we went, I didn’t think the prices were crazy-high. Afterwards, we found out it just all adds up, turning in to the most we’ve probably ever spent on lunch. That’s also part of the trick – there is no discount for having lunch over dinner. We heard one of the servers say they average about 1,000 covers a day, so I think they can price however they want. I’m glad we went, though, and would highly recommend it at least once in your life. Mahalo, Mama.

Fun stop on the way to the airport

Not Ohana-friendly (per the lifeguards)

He gets to live here all the time

Thank you, Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Still pretty fun, though

Lifeguard @ D.T. Fleming Beach Park

Kapalua Plantation – closed for remodeling

RC Burger Shack

Haleakala National Park

CK @ Mama’s Fish House Beach

Cows too on the road to the summit

The silversword of Haleakala

Sounds like a lost Wilbury song

As seen on Diners, Drive In’s and Dives

My new golf glove

Kaanapali Beach Hotel – older, but pretty decent overall

Only one on the island

Chicken and pancakes @ Roy’s

Day one on the beach

The Milaca MegaMall

Oktoberfest in Milwaukee

Sweargen, you cock-sucka

Still love the British phrasing, though

It was a year ago today when a blood vessel in my head decided it had enough, resulting in a ruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhaging on the train platform outside U.S. Bank Stadium. It was a humbling experience to see the outpouring of love and support from my family and friends throughout my recovery and I will be forever thankful to the good Samaritan in the pickup truck, the first responders that treated me on the platform and the entire staff at Hennepin Healthcare for extending my time on this little planet we call home.

Health-wise, things are almost back to normal. I’m still wearing glasses with a 3M Prism lens on the left side to correct the remaining double vision. The strength of the lens has dropped from +30 to +8 during the past 11 months and the hope is still that I eventually won’t need them at all. I can read most screens without glasses, but the “bilateral 6th nerve palsy” and resulting diplopia at further distances is really the only major remaining issue from October 8, 2018. I’ve been off all of the additional medications from my time in the ICU for a while now and have returned to most physical activities with no issues. In fact, my bike mileage in 2019 sits at 1,058 miles and I’ve played 21 rounds of golf (both of which are a little more challenging with glasses).

I won’t lie, walking past that spot nearly every day is unsettling. It can feel frustrating to not be 100% yet with my vision. And all that weight I lost in the hospital came back with a vengeance. But I am so thankful for having access to high-quality healthcare that didn’t bankrupt our family. This full year of bonus time had some amazing memories: an extra special Thanksgiving with family, the NCAA Final Four, MK’s graduation, Las Vegas with SK, lake visits to Vermilion and Superior, Rib Fest, Summer X Games, another epic State Fair, a quick day trip to Los Angeles, the Saints championship season, more Vikings football and lots of concerts and restaurants. Life at fifty has been good.

So where to from here? I’ll be seeing my eye doctor again soon and I need to get back to my “regular” doctor to start all of the normal old guy things that need to be tested and monitored. Colleen and I head to Maui later this month to check off the second milestone birthday trip that was postponed due to the incident. Hopefully we’ll get the third and final trip scheduled for January. This week I’ll find out about the 2020 London Marathon ballot, which would immediately kick-start a return to running. Quick trip next week to Milwaukee to visit the Buck’s new arena. After the Vikings-Eagles game this weekend, the football season will already be half over. And you know what Steve Miller said about flying eagles…

Is it, punk?

Mississippi National with the boys

Really didn’t know that is so close to Staples Center

Go to The Left Handed Cook, L.A. people

Everyone seems to hate LAX, but I kinda like it (mostly)

This market is so not like the others

https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2019/07/11/the-cosmopolitan-las-vegas-hotel-is-now-better-than-ever/

The American Integrity hauling ore past the Bayfront Park stage

Just *once* I’d like something other than the smallest one, Stompy…

Nothing else quite like it

MK + Gordy = true love ❤️

When it’s in the 90s in the Twin Cities, Grand Marais sounds awfully good

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Changi_Airport

The woman at Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais was very persuasive

Thanks for the pie, Betty

Scary-ass IGT slot monkeys @ Grand Portage

New(ish?) mural downtown

Too bad the patio is only open about 10% of the year

Don’t know how I’ve missed it all this years

Only the best on the North Shore

Spokane visit or Stranger Things audition?

Another great visit to Sin City

Beatles Cirque – probably last saw this a dozen years ago

In the “new” location @ Bellagio

Slot holds are rough on the Strip

Nice to catch up with Raiders Nation

Cool, but no thank you

Caesar’s Palace and the Palms

Not much return on a 2.50 bet

That would be an easy conversion