Welcome back to TourTalk.tv. I know its been awhile since our last show and I have a Doctors excuse for that! We are up to podcast #6. This podcast is less about touring and more about tourism. Actually its mostly about our recent trip back to Minnesota for family and to visit the “Great Minnesota Get-Together”. Also Known as The Minnesota State Fair. The (almost) everything on a stick State Fair.
Most of the month of September has been spent recuperating from throat surgery. I have been resting and trying to get my voice back to be ready for that all-important and final stretch of the 2014 tour season!! And IT’S BACK!!
But first, some tour notes
- We Want to Hear From You – Our New Podcast Listener Feedback Line 702-751-7958
- Taking a tour to San Fransisco?? Remember Fleet Week is October 9-13
- Condors mating in Zion National Park ?? condor chicks?
- Floods damage Death Valley Opera House
- Get ready for tour and travel sticker shock in 2015
Getting back on the bus after a break, always feels great. Having a voice you almost lost feels even better. So my first major tour to end the year is with Mayflower Tours as we head to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. A favorite place of mine to tour and I am happy to return to. With a special tour of the town of Santa Fe. It’s going to be an awesome, colorful tour, so look forward to a lot of photo updates on our Facebook Page !
On our way back to Minnesota, Miss Debbie and I had our flight on Sun Country delayed… While waiting for the plane, we had a talk with a manager from White Castle restaurants. He filled us in on the news that Las Vegas was finally getting one of their own. A normal White Castle restaurant costs $1.5 million to build out. The one on the Las Vegas Strip will cost about $6 million. So we are anxious to see it open here in October.
Butter Carving of a Princess
The Minnesota State Fair
One of America’s oldest fairs. Also one of the most popular. It’s a money maker for all involved. Entrepreneurs struggle hard and fight for a chance to have a booth at the fair for their newest creations to sit along side some of the most famous food, consumer products and more food vendors. To be seen here could mean success or failures of your business. Over $115 million dollars will change hands in 12 days of the fair with over 5000 jobs as well.
Tour Note: As with the Mall of America, there are organized tours/packaged tours that feature a stop the Minnesota State Fair.
This was Miss Debbie’s first time here and my first in about 20 years. not much has changed. Lots of food options on a stick. Dairy and Horse barns to see the farm creations, exhibits and shows. Plenty of shopping with new vendors, many of the “as seen on TV” products got their start at this fair or similar ones like it.
Must See/Do
- Dairy Princess’s carved in butter
- Cheese Curds. Gotta have cheese curds
- Machinery Hill
- Do the Sky Ride
- Get a bucket of chocolate chip cookies
- Eat something on a stick. Like alligator
- Have a freshly made shake or glass of milk from a cow that was milked that day… That’s fresh!
- Walk, people watch and enjoy the crowds!
Traveled 1800 miles for these!
The Vegas Effect
Just a curious note from living in Las Vegas too long. The ticket seller at the Grand stand made a big deal that the only seats left for that night’s performance for Toby Keith were in the patio area. A special viewing area with limited seating and almost perfect views. For a whopping “Fifty… Dollars”.. yes, a whole fifty bucks to see Toby Keith in prime seating… In Vegas, that same seat at the MGM would sell for about $500… Yes, it was a deal at $50 if you are from Las Vegas!
Show Notes Final
Currently no video for this podcast. There will a video added at a later date. We will be doing a Video Podcast next week when we visit Laughlin, Nevada and stay at the Aquarius Resort to cover the Pro Bull Riders (PBR) return to that family friendly gaming town on the Colorado River.
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