Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2019-2020: Muzzling All Detractors
1. Minneapolis Burger Quest
As far as I'm concerned, the definitive place for Burgers, Fries & Malts -- anywhere -- is Annie's Parlour. 313 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414; (612) 379-0744. Located in the University Of Minnesota's Dinkytown neighborhood, it's walking distance from Ridder & Mariucci. I'm partial to the Hot Fudge Banana Malt. Order your burger according to taste, but at least consider the Smoky Cheddar Cheese option. But if you arrive hungry, try the Riverside platter. From there, you can walk a portion of the campus. Or check it out from the "virus-free safety" of your rental car. The U of M is a large B1G campus, in the city, in a University District. You'll feel right at home.
2. St. Paul Bakery Quest
Check out St. Paul's Grand Avenue, and find your reward at Bread & Chocolate. 867 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105; (651) 228-1017. After lunch, drive along nearby Summit Avenue & view the mansions. A bit further west , check out the St. Thomas campus. Someday soon St. Thomas may be a D-1 Hockey rival. The Women's program might even be a candidate for the Women's WCHA.
3. US Hockey Hall of Fame Pilgrimage
Fair warning, this is a 3 hour drive from the Twin Cities, located at 801 Hat Trick Avenue, Eveleth, MN 55734; (218) 744-5167. But with Ohio as our starting point, you don't get too many opportunities to drop by the Hall when you're "just passing through." Anything on "Hat Trick Avenue" has to be cool, right? And here's another Bakery Quest for you. On your way North, top off your gas tank and try the baked goods at Tobie's. 404 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037; (320) 384-6174. (You can see it from the Hinckley Exit on I-35)
4. The Women's Hockey Goodwill Ambassador Option
Step One: Make the 5 Hour Drive to Grand Forks, ND. Wearing Ohio State Hockey Jerseys, of course. Perhaps you'll wind up at the world famous Olive Garden. Better still, a cafe with counter seating. Engage the locals with hockey talk. Keep things 100% positive for several minutes. Then, have a moment of revelation. Happily & Loudly proclaim: Of course if there's no Women's D-1 Hockey team, it can't be a hockey school! Exchange a celebratory high five with your wife. Gauge the local reaction.
Step Two: After your return to the Eastern Time Zone, travel to Ann Arbor. Repeat the experiment.
Step Three: Survive Steps One & Two.
Step Four: Compare & Contrast the two experiences. Post research results on USCHO.
OK, let's take the current lemon and make some lemonade. We have a 4 Way Tie for the 2020 National Championship. The 4 teams that ended the season with wins:
Mercyhurst, Northeastern, Ohio State & Princeton
Now that's adding new blood to the Champions List. And hey, I'm sure we can count on Lindsay's support.
OK, now this is a good challenge: Planning a short trip that gives you a real "Taste of Minnesota," while keeping human contact to modest levels. With some college hockey connections tossed in. I'm thinking Driving/Walking Tours, with the drive/walk decision dictated by your preferences, and of course the weather. Perhaps one of these will be of interest:
1. Minneapolis Burger Quest
As far as I'm concerned, the definitive place for Burgers, Fries & Malts -- anywhere -- is Annie's Parlour. 313 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414; (612) 379-0744. Located in the University Of Minnesota's Dinkytown neighborhood, it's walking distance from Ridder & Mariucci. I'm partial to the Hot Fudge Banana Malt. Order your burger according to taste, but at least consider the Smoky Cheddar Cheese option. But if you arrive hungry, try the Riverside platter. From there, you can walk a portion of the campus. Or check it out from the "virus-free safety" of your rental car. The U of M is a large B1G campus, in the city, in a University District. You'll feel right at home.
2. St. Paul Bakery Quest
Check out St. Paul's Grand Avenue, and find your reward at Bread & Chocolate. 867 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105; (651) 228-1017. After lunch, drive along nearby Summit Avenue & view the mansions. A bit further west , check out the St. Thomas campus. Someday soon St. Thomas may be a D-1 Hockey rival. The Women's program might even be a candidate for the Women's WCHA.
3. US Hockey Hall of Fame Pilgrimage
Fair warning, this is a 3 hour drive from the Twin Cities, located at 801 Hat Trick Avenue, Eveleth, MN 55734; (218) 744-5167. But with Ohio as our starting point, you don't get too many opportunities to drop by the Hall when you're "just passing through." Anything on "Hat Trick Avenue" has to be cool, right? And here's another Bakery Quest for you. On your way North, top off your gas tank and try the baked goods at Tobie's. 404 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037; (320) 384-6174. (You can see it from the Hinckley Exit on I-35)
4. The Women's Hockey Goodwill Ambassador Option
Step One: Make the 5 Hour Drive to Grand Forks, ND. Wearing Ohio State Hockey Jerseys, of course. Perhaps you'll wind up at the world famous Olive Garden. Better still, a cafe with counter seating. Engage the locals with hockey talk. Keep things 100% positive for several minutes. Then, have a moment of revelation. Happily & Loudly proclaim: Of course if there's no Women's D-1 Hockey team, it can't be a hockey school! Exchange a celebratory high five with your wife. Gauge the local reaction.
Step Two: After your return to the Eastern Time Zone, travel to Ann Arbor. Repeat the experiment.
Step Three: Survive Steps One & Two.
Step Four: Compare & Contrast the two experiences. Post research results on USCHO.
OK, let's take the current lemon and make some lemonade. We have a 4 Way Tie for the 2020 National Championship. The 4 teams that ended the season with wins:
Mercyhurst, Northeastern, Ohio State & Princeton
Now that's adding new blood to the Champions List. And hey, I'm sure we can count on Lindsay's support.
