Christmas In Minnesota--Conclusion

My Christmas Eve task is over, now it’s time to spend three days relaxing and enjoying the presence of my gals.  

Christmas morning rolled around and as is so typical, I’m the first one up.  In my normal household setting it’s no issue for me to get my coffee brewing and fire up the MacBook to check email and other things online.  But today, at this apartment, Geoana is still snoozing in the living room area so I extra-quietly start my first K-cup and surreptitiously fill the two stockings waiting under the tree.  (In my last entry I neglected to mention that after the offloading Geogal assembled our Christmas tree.  We’ve had this artificial arbor for a few years now and given I had plenty of room for cargo it was no problem for me to bring it along so the Minnesota apartment could have more of the Christmas feel.)  

Finally everyone’s up and we enjoy emptying the stockings.  No wrapped “presents” this year, given the whirlwind nature of my journey and the stress of maintaining two households, if only for a short time.  I suggested, with tongue-in-cheek, we have our Christmas gift exchange in early June, at which time we hope much of the dust will have cleared.  Geoana’s response indicated my spouse and I should just “go away somewhere” for our Yuletide present.  (Should that happen, I vote for Nashville.)  

After church and the midday Christmas meal (ham with all the trimmings) the afternoon and evening felt, to me, a bit odd.  Not so much that I was not at “home” but rather the feeling of being cooped-up and subsequently restless.  “Not to worry,” I kept telling myself: “Tomorrow you will have the chance to get out and see some of this town.”  

And I did.  On Thursday Geogal and I (plus our 18-year-old home-from-college child) met with our buyer’s agent, who took us through a couple of houses for sale and added in a leisurely tour of the area.  Friday the Geofamily went to Baxter and spent some money at Mills Fleet Farm then when evening hit Geogal and I had an early anniversary celebration meal at A.T. The Black & White.  I recommend the almond-encrusted walleye sandwich—to die for!!

Then Saturday arrives and with it, time for me to hit the highway back to Kansas.  I’m scheduled to return to work on Monday and wanted the extra day to relax and do laundry.

I planned to depart just as soon as I awakened which for me is always early.  Sure enough, I leave at 4:30 a.m.  I’m taking a different route this time given a winter storm is predicted to cause some concern for roads in the western part of the state.  Take 10 to St. Cloud then meet I-94 to The Cities.  From there on south it’s I-35, much to my dismay.  While there’s nothing wrong or objectionable about 35 I have traveled it so many times the past six years it now has a boring sameness.  

The starting leg proves to be no problem.  Gas up at Petro in St. Cloud, then it’s accelerate to interstate highway speed.  In my headlights I see very small snowflakes.  However once I pass Rogers the light snow turns into rain.  Then the rain begins freezing on my windshield.  Hit the washer fluid to clear my sight.  Intersect I-494, which I plan to take around the west edge of the metro area to avoid unnecessary city traffic, even at this early hour.   

Then my plan hit a snag.  Or should I say a slide.  As in my Suburban beginning to lose traction and slightly move in directions against my desire.  

Nice way to phrase my immediate concern (actually closer to terror) with the road conditions.  Seems the pavement was just cold enough to turn the rain into a skating rink.  I’m proud to say I kept my head, eased off on the accelerator and then carefully and slowly took the next off ramp, hoping there would be a 24-hour restaurant specializing in breakfast.  You know—Perkins, IHOP or even Denny’s.  Unfortunately this exit offered only a Holiday gas station/convenience store.  I settle for a banana and a protein bar and grab my library books to pass the time.  Again, another benefit of a Suburban is the large interior space meaning I can recline my seat to a non-driving position while I wait to see what will happen both meteorologicaly and road-wise.  Will crews be out with salt or other types of treatment?  If so, when?  

I also remind myself, for the first of several times this day, that I’m so thankful to not be pulling a U-Haul trailer.

Fortunately the rain stops yet the temperature remains around 29 degrees.  After an hour the sky is dawning and I decide to head out and see if I can make progress.  

Back on 494 I notice the vehicles in front are kicking up what looks like slush.  All right!  If I drive slow and stay in the already-traveled lanes I might just get through this.  Then another mile or two I see numerous taillights in the distance.  

That can only mean an accident ahead.  I decide to stay on the road and just endure the wait, however long it takes.  Being surrounded by other cars and trucks easily eliminates my feelings of loneliness but I’m starting to get restless by sitting in this traffic.  

Getting through the bottleneck (turns out it wasn’t an accident but rather several larger trucks having lost traction on a slight grade which blocked about three lanes) takes between 75 and 90 minutes.  Finally I’m through and again making progress on 494.  Still taking it slow and steady I reach the I-35W junction in about 15 minutes.  South on 35W was much the same and I kept telling myself that once I cleared Burnsville and the 35E split the conditions might improve as I’d be leaving the metro area.  

Sometimes you get what you hope for!  I pull off at the rest area south of Owatonna for a potty and stretch-the-legs interlude.  Checking the weather app on my phone I see that my direction calls for rain but not snow.  Yes!  

During the next few miles the ice even on the road shoulders lessens.  Crossing into Iowa I decide my next stop will be Ames.  To keep my mind occupied I listen to the Camping World Bowl, hearing Iowa State get bested by Notre Dame.  Once in Ames I decide to splurge on lunch and go to Five Guys.  When you’re mentally and physically tired sometimes there’s no beating a hearty burger and fries!!

Re-energized, it’s back to 35 and finish up Iowa.  Weather continued to be a mixed bag of heavy rain, light rain and medium rain.  No matter—still beats ice.  

Next state is Missouri and I decide instead of skirting the northern edge of KC and taking the Kansas Turnpike I will exit at Cameron and go west on U.S. 36 until it intersects K-99, then head south through Frankfort, retracing the route I took on the 24th.  

36 is a well-maintained four lane highway all the way to St. Joe, which is good because that is when the sky decided to open up and drop massive sheets of rain on this part of the Show-Me State.  Visibility is extremely poor for a stretch and now daylight is diminishing.  

Yet my fear of heavy rain combined with darkness never becomes reality.  Crossing into Kansas I’m able to keep the road in sight with minimal effort and after Hiawatha there are patches of fog but no further raindrops.  

Even though I know it’s coming I had to wonder if I would ever reach Highway 99.  Of course it arrives just as it should and I know I’ve hit the homestretch.  The road is in decent condition as the temp is above freezing yet the fog still comes and goes.  Passing by Rock Creek High School I encountered a big patch of pea soup.  

Then finally…it’s home.  Familiar subdivision and I feel as if I’m on autopilot.  

I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see my front door.  I text Geogal that I made it and unload only what I need for tonight from the Suburban.  All the rest can wait ‘till tomorrow.  

I also joked (via text to my wife) that I was ready for a belt of whiskey.  While I did pour myself a small amount from a bottle of Buffalo Trace (one of my birthday presents), I chose to sip the libation rather than gulp it down.  

Stats for this day:  Total time on the road—15 hours.  Distance—662 miles.  

No one had to rock me to sleep that night.  

Christmas In Minnesota--Part One

Maybe it was payment that finally came due.  

Since the time of my daughter’s birth we (Geogal, Geoana and I) have not traveled during the Christmas holiday.  That makes a good 18 years of staying home during the holidays which certainly makes a sometimes-difficult season less stressful.  But Christmas of 2019 was destined to be different.  

Road trips are nothing new for me.  Beginning in 1985 when I drove solo from Albuquerque to Austin, Texas (in one day) I’ve done the solitary driving journey numerous times.  Thus when Geogal and I developed our plans for Christmas we opted for me to make the drive to Minnesota.  She now has an apartment but was very limited, vehicle space-wise, when she ventured north at the end of November.  However I drive a Suburban (tons of interior room) and also rented a 12-foot long U-Haul trailer to handle the larger pieces of furniture.  So with specifics about what household items she needed and which furniture items she wanted I was soon packed, loaded and ready to go north.  

4:55 a.m. on 24 December.  Journey’s genesis.  My route involved driving north until I intersected U.S. 36, then head east until I meet U.S. 75, taking me around Sabetha and into Nebraska.  Made a quick potty-and-more-coffee stop in Auburn, then north to the Omaha metro area.  From there the route was familiar: I-80 across the Missouri River into Iowa, then turn north on I-29 to take me to Sioux City.  As I remembered from previous trips, the trek between Council Bluffs and Sioux City passed quickly.  No doubt this is due to the combination of interstate speeds and the stretch being very flat, given you’re traveling parallel to the Missouri River.  

Since I skimped on breakfast I elected to stop in Sioux City for an early (as in 10:30 a.m.) lunch.  Munching down an Incredible Whopper with a side of small fries gave my body and mind the needed energy boost.  I bid goodbye to Interstate 29 and took the northeast route out of town, back on U.S. 75.  Again this slab of highway is nothing new, as the Geofamily has taken it either to or from Minnesota at least three other times.  Yet today is different from those other sojourns.  Once I was past Le Mars (home of Blue Bunny ice cream!) and the four-lane changed designations from U.S. 75 to Iowa 60 the surrounding landscape color changed from brown/yellow to white.  This, combined with an increasing mist created a decrease in both visibility and my mood.  

What should I do when needing some mental energy?  Answer: Start engaging different brain cells and speculate on things outside my immediate journey while still paying attention to the road and other drivers.  

Since moving to Kansas in 2008 and becoming acclimated to what I affectionately call “western Kansas driving distance,” I’ve entertained thoughts of attaining a private pilot’s license as a means of not only showing myself I can learn the basics of aerodynamics but also have a means of transportation allowing faster travel between points A and B.  During this stretch of my drive I again had those thoughts but quickly came back to reality.  Given the poor visibility any type of flying north of Sioux City on this day would require IFR.  Granted, that type of rating can still be learned but takes more time and experience.  Sigh.  

But within the hour I’m approaching Worthington, just after crossing into Minnesota.  Time for another fuel, fluid and empty the bladder pause.   I text the gals that I’m now in my last of the four states for today and Geogal quickly responds how I’m making great time.  That also lifts my mood.  

Another factor that kicks me out of “the blues:” driving on a new (to me) stretch of highway.  On previous trips it was reach Worthington, then turn west on Interstate 90 toward Rochester.  Today—stay on Minnesota 60 until it intersects Minn. 15 at Madelia.  I’m enjoying the experience of different vistas and take note of one in particular.  It’s a flat stretch of white which I initially believe is a field given this is a heavily agricultural region.  But then I see what looks like hunting blinds only they are dark in color.  Suddenly it hits me:  That’s a frozen-over lake with ice fishing huts!  

A manifestation that I’ve entered a unique part of the United States.  And it’s this “uncommonality” (yes, I know that’s not a word) that increases this area’s appeal to the Geofamily.  Not to mention my propensity to engage in outdoor activities but that’s an entirely different blog entry.  

Back to the travelogue.  I pass through New Ulm, a name I recognize due to its microbrewery, Schells.  Perhaps its part of my mental transition from Kansas to Minnesota but I’m quickly becoming a fan of Grain Belt beer.  

By this time I’m heading directly north and am now on a 2-lane roadway.  Yet it’s no problem as the traffic overall is light (wonder if that’s due to today being Christmas Eve?) and I don’t have to deal with slow farm trucks given the growing and harvest season is well over.  Plus the roads are dry overall so there’s no vehicles in front kicking up droplets onto my windshield.  No bug splats either!  

Make my last stop in Hutchinson (that’s Minnesota, not Kansas!!) and fill my travel mug with more java.  No apologies—I need the caffeine kick for this final couple of hours.  From Hutchinson it’s battle-my-driving-fatigue with the anticipation that I’m now within striking distance of Little Falls.  The towns begin to blur.  Dassel, then Kimball.  Should be getting close to St. Cloud.  

Yep.  I’m finally in an urban area for the first time since the outskirts of Sioux City.  From here the next highway intersection is as easy as it gets: stay on Minnesota 15 through St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids and it merges with U.S. 10, resulting in a straight shot to Little Falls.  

It’s now past 4 p.m. and I take note of another indicator how I’m in a different region.  This far north, it sure gets dark quicker than Kansas (this time of year)!  I hope there’s still some daylight by the time I reach my destination.  

Not breaking any speed limits but still pressing on, I reach Little Falls just as twilight hits.  I turn onto the main east-west drag (1st. Ave./Broadway) and the town seems to take on an ethereal quality.  Probably a combination of my level of tired, Christmas Eve slowdown and skies turning from dark gray to black.  

Follow directions from Siri and within a few minutes I’m parked outside Geogal’s apartment.  Time for greetings accompanied with hugs from my gals.  

But before I can sit and relax we need to unload my cargo.  Geoana and I do the heavy lifting and despite tromping through packed-down snow we’ve got everything out of the trailer and Suburban in less than an hour.  Only then is it time to unwind and enjoy a quiet Christmas Eve with family.  Yes, I’m wanting to explore this new area but remind myself I have three full days here before I head back to Kansas.  Take your time, Geoguy.  

Stats for the day:  Total time on the road—exactly 12 hours.  Departed at 4:55 a.m. and arrived between 4:50 and 5 p.m.  Distance—608 miles.  

Hello Minnesota!

2020 will bring several changes to our lives, not the least of which is moving to/settling in Minnesota. 

Why? 

It's a good question. After all, the regular readers of this blog know we moved from Chandler, Arizona to Norton, Kansas in 2008 and since August of 2017 we've resided near Manhattan (Kansas, not NYC). 

First, a little history.  In July of 2014 we made our first trip to The North Star State due to Geoana being referred to the Mayo Clinic for treatment.  I documented our travels starting here.  

We then made a follow-up visit in the fall.  I recall beginning our drive home and thinking, once on Interstate 90 headed in the direction of Austin and Albert Lea, that it was a shame we wouldn't be returning as our child appeared stable and likely wouldn't need further visits.  

Was I wrong.  Several times over.  

Turns out additional Mayo visits were in the future.  (Although as of this writing all family members are doing well and we don't anticipate further medical care of that magnitude, for which I am thankful.)  Plus we decided to combine at least one of those visits (summer of 2016) into a more lengthy Minnesota visit, complete with taking in several Twin Cities attractions.  

Meanwhile Geogal and I pondered our next move.  Even a decade ago we knew Norton would not be our final residence given its isolation and size.  However once we traipsed across the state to our current locate we seriously considered purchasing a house in either Manhattan or Wamego and making this our home base for years to come.  We even visited several open houses in the area between March and June of 2019.  But during this time it became obvious that Geogal had very few employment opportunities in her chosen field should we remain here and was unhappy with her then-employer.  Also she was researching different places to eventually retire and concluded Minnesota would be preferred, if not completely optimal.  For example, Kansas taxes even regular food items at the grocery store (most states don't).  Not only does Minne-so-cold not tax food, it also doesn't tax clothing.  The quality of the medical care (even if you exclude the Mayo presence) also is a large factor for Geogal, so we made the decision.  

An aside:  When deciding to leave Norton, moving to Minnesota was actually our first choice.  But barriers with Geogal transferring her professional license and the issues of going to another state with our child still in public school led us to consider Manhattan instead.  Thus, moving to Minnesota wasn't a rush decision.  

But that was then and this is now.  The timing appears better and Geogal has her Minnesota license in place and began employment "up north."  

I will follow shortly.  

I'm also looking forward to settling in a place and culture so different than any I've ever been around before.  In future entries I will give my impressions and experiences.  

But for now I will need to brush up on my outdoor skills.  

Can't wait!!

(image taken from Dreamstime.com)

Welcome, 2020!!

First things first...

Congratulations to the Texas Longhorns!  Finally, assurance that the Big 12 will not be shut out of victories in the postseason!!   

Although it's unfortunate that Kansas State couldn't also get a "W" yesterday but at least they were competitive in that game.  I recall previous bowls in which K-State didn't seem ready to play...  

Here's hoping good fortune awaits Chris Klieman and the 'Cats for 2020 and beyond.  I'm proud of all of you taking the field and "winning the dang day," to borrow a phrase from Coach K.  

________________________

What does 2020 hold for the Geohouse?   

A lot.  

We are changing locations.  Again.  

Yes.  

This time it will be Minnesota.  

Why?   

I'll explain in time.  

But for now, Happy New Year and I wish the best 2020 for all my readers!

Short subjects for the end of the year

Yes, been away from the blogging for some time.  And no, I (still) don't plan to have this blog die out.  I continue to have material and intend to share, in the coming days, my adventures on a jaunt to Minnesota over Christmastime, my thoughts on Operation Varsity Blues and other items lingering in my brain.  For today, though, here a few quick hitters:

________________

In the “I Guess It Didn’t Matter Anyway” Department:

When Kansas State football was about to begin its conference schedule, I talked with a few K-State students.  I recall one of them making a prediction that the Wildcats would defeat all of their opponents before hosting Oklahoma on October 26.  Which might mean....ESPN's College Gameday coming to Manhattan?  At the time of this discussion K-State had just returned from defeating Mississippi State in Starkville and after a bye week would go to Stillwater to play the Oklahoma State Cowboys.  One of the other guys mentioned Oklahoma State playing well but the prognosticator brushed it off, saying "We've always owned Oklahoma State."  

Cough.  As we all now know, K-State would fall to not only Oklahoma State but also to Baylor before defeating TCU prior to the Sooners coming to town.  Obviously no College Gameday.  As it turned out, no matter.  

For the 10/26 location, the Gameday producers elected that date for their annual "off-the-beaten-path" destination.  

Brookings, South Dakota.  

________________

Fitbit?  Probably not now…

After Geogal bought her Apple Watch I was welcome to use her Fitbit Alta.  While it isn't tremendously versatile it can at least track the amount of exercise and remind me to move should I be too sedentary.  

I also pondered getting myself a more sophisticated Fitbit device as I'm curious about my heart rate and also could use something waterproof given my affinity for swimming as a form of exercise.  

However the Fitbit company lost me as a customer.  Why?  I'll reference an email which hit my inbox November 1.  Titled "Fitbit to be acquired by Google."  Included in the body of the message:  

You, our users, are at the center of everything we do, and it’s important that you know that your trust is central to our mission and has been since day one. This will not change by joining Google. We are committed to the same strong data privacy and security protections. You will always be in control of your data, and we will remain transparent about the data we collect and why. We never sell your personal information, and Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads.

Do they truly think I'm that gullible?  I cannot be comfortable knowing my exercise information is in the hands of Google.  

Maybe I'll get a Garmin watch.  (Although I'm fond of other Apple products I just don't need all the bells/whistles that are a part of  Watch, or the price tag.)

________________

College football is winding down but the bowl games remain enjoyable.  Unless you're in the Big 12 conference.  

At the time I write this the Big 12 has had a terrible bowl season.  As in “big goose egg” embarrassing.  Oklahoma State loses to Texas A&M and Iowa State got demolished by Notre Dame (and I was driving through the heart of Cy the Cyclone country while hearing that radio broadcast).  What could I say about Oklahoma's loss that hasn't already been beaten into the ground by numerous sports reporters? 

At least today Kansas State and Texas will suit up against their opponents, then tomorrow Baylor gets to show its stuff in the Sugar Bowl.  

Maybe, just maybe, these three teams will offer the conference some postseason redemption.  

See you in 2020!!

An active role in emptying the nest

The deed is done!

As of the start of September Geogal and I are officially empty-nesters.  

The travelogue that follows will detail not only a physical journey but an emotional one as well.  As often happens with longer sojourns that into unfamiliar territory there were surprises along the way and an ending no one expected.  

Preparations for the taking-child-to-college trip began some time back.  In mid-summer I decided one corner of our kitchen/dining area will be set aside for child’s belongings that would go to the dorm.  As expected, it began small and gradually increased in cubic feet as the days passed.  Then departure day drew ever closer and Geogal (fully exerting her role as Geomother) continually reminded child that she needed to speed up her packing and preparation.  Result?  An even larger assortment of containers and boxes.  

Yet no problem!  Unlike some other families headed toward this academic destination we had the luxury of a Chevrolet Suburban, plus the additional space afforded by the older SUV we agreed to let Geoana have during the college years.  Social media gave us a few chuckles as we saw postings from parents who drove either smaller SUVs or crossovers, featuring pictures of a vehicle packed to the point where every cubic inch was filled accompanied by a message noting: “Filled to the max!”  

An aside about our truck:  Not only is a Suburban useful for taking a youngster’s belongings to an institution of higher learning but it’s also something of a tradition in my family of origin.  In 1979 I helped mom, dad, and Geosister the older pack her belongings into our 1976 Rosedale Red Suburban (Silverado trim package) and we all trekked 150 or so miles to the University of Texas at Austin (hook-‘em!).  Fast forward to August 1986 and Geodad took yours truly, again with luggage and dorm room items to New Mexico State University.  Using the same 1976 Suburban.  Forward again many years and in 2012 my own household loaded up Geogal’s necessities into our 1999 Suburban and traveled to Colby, Kansas for her to enroll in professional school.  (Fortunately she was only away for one school year.)  

Now it’s my child’s turn and our spacious transportation is a 2008 Suburban.  Some traditions work well.  

I went to work Thursday morning, returning home in mid-afternoon.  After I changed into casual clothing it was time to “get packing!”  I’m not referring to carrying a firearm, either.  No question I was concerned about this process even though I knew vehicle space wouldn’t be an issue.  (I’m sure some of the angst was due to a combination of the unknown plus my own coming-to-terms with child truly leaving home.)  

First pleasant surprise:  Geoana and I packed everything in less than 45 minutes.  That corner of the kitchen?  Empty.  And we accomplished this before Geogal got home from her workday.  Score one for the father-daughter team!  

As a result we left before evening hit.  Mind you, we weren’t planning on driving all the way to Minnesota this day, just to Liberty, Missouri and a hotel for the night.  

Why not just take it all in one day and do this on Friday?  Because…another small stressor.  This school included, in its dorm check-in schedule, an opportunity to bring your belongings into your room between 1 and 3 p.m. on Friday, with official move-in day taking place on Saturday.  Geogal figured if we had a shorter drive on Friday we could make the time window.  

And that meant no sleeping in on Friday morning.  Yep, we were up early, munched down the hotel breakfast and were out the door, topped off the gas tanks and northbound on Interstate 35 before 8 a.m..  

Missouri becomes Iowa.  The rainy weather that greeted us out the hotel doors gave way to partly cloudy skies before we logged 100 miles.  While eager to reach the destination I reminded myself to engage in mindfulness and simply enjoy the moments as they happened.  Soon my patience was rewarded and we were on the outskirts of Des Moines.  From the junction with Interstate 80 it all feels like familiar territory given our numerous trips to Mayo Clinic from northwestern Kansas.  Des Moines morphs into Ankeny and it’s not very long before we’re passing Ames.  Then it’s lunch time.  

Pleasant surprise number two:  A nice picnic lunch at a rest area.  Geogal and I both agreed that in the interest of healthier eating and economizing, we would put the large cooler in the very back of the Suburban and load it with lunchmeat, bread, fruit, chips, canned soda, canned seltzer water and bottled water.  

In one of those rare instances the plan worked like a charm.  Temperature was reasonable and the wind was nil.  Found a shady picnic table under some trees and enjoyed our midday meal.  Rounded it all out with dessert—well, OK, candy bars from the rest area’s vending machine.  Back on the road!

As was the case for the entire northbound journey but much more evident this date was my ability to enjoy the solitude afforded by being the only one in this vehicle.  Geogal and Geoana were in the smaller SUV and seemed happy with each other’s company.  I, meanwhile, derived the benefits of my alone time with the ability to listen to whatever struck my fancy.  Meaning:  if I wanted to sample the offerings of local terrestrial radio then so be it!  

As expected the FM dial served up more of the usual:  satellite-fed formats with the occasional local spots.  AM was only a bit better.  Around the Clear Lake/Mason City area I heard about the upcoming high school gridiron contests to take place that evening.  One guy (I think he was on an Albert Lea station) droned on in such a monotonous fashion that I had to click to something else before succumbing to highway hypnosis.  

Yet I finally did what I’d been longing for ever since we started these Minnesota sojourns.  Utilize the benefits of a good radio receiver and tune into the regional blowtorch stations.  Two in particular:  Des Moines’ WHO and Minneapolis’ WCCO.  

Most of our previous journeys were in vehicles deficient in the actual radio function.  Not a huge surprise given less attention than ever is given to old-fashioned FM and AM.  No doubt due to the younger generation’s preference for streaming audio or enjoying their own playlists loaded onto the smartphone.  Combine that with internal electronics being subject to years of very hot then very cold temps and a heckuva lot of factory audio systems give up the radio ghost after not many years.  Yet since our vehicles always had SiriusXM available it didn’t mean we had to sacrifice listening pleasure while on the open road.  

But today I finally get to listen to the distant, but still listenable, signals from the aforementioned.  Occasionally I note in this blog how one of my road-traveling pleasures involves tuning in to heritage AM stations as a confirmation that I am indeed getting closer to the destination.  Not unlike how, back in 2006, while driving up California 1 heading toward Monterey (that day’s stopping place) we made a leisurely stop in Big Sur and while the gals explored a rummage sale I stayed in the car and easily tuned in San Francisco’s KNBR (680), KCBS (740) and KGO (810).  Clear as a bell for all.  

Back to the present:  Very much enjoyed the sound of WCCO-AM becoming stronger and more clear the closer I got to the Iowa/Minnesota line.  (Not that I particularly enjoyed the content, but that’s secondary to any DXer.)  Also took time to listen in on Yankton’s WNAX (broadcasting live from the South Dakota State Fair!) and Fort Dodge station KWMT.  Both of these are just barely audible from my listening post in eastern Kansas.  Let’s hear it for flat terrain and good ground conductivity!

For me this is very close to traveling paradise.  By myself, but not alone!

Next stop was the Petro truck stop in Albert Lea as both tanks needed topping.  A look at the clock showed us arriving during the afternoon window was very do-able.  The gals said they would return to the Interstate after filling up while I needed to use the facilities.  So we said goodbyes and then I was on my own (in a sense).  

When it was my turn to merge onto northbound 35 I had visions of “Smokey and the Bandit” given we did have a deadline and both drivers, between Albert Lea and journey’s end, engaged in certain violations of the speed limit.  But no load of bootleg Coors beer.  

Wait?  We were separated by about 15-20 minutes at that point!  How did I know about the girls’ highway speed?  

Geogal told me later.  

Finally I see the landmarks of child’s college just up ahead.  Within a matter of minutes I’m on campus and longing for the speed and efficiency of the open highway.  Turns out we weren’t the only ones wanting to make the window of “drop off the belongings.”  For a school of only about 3000 students it seemed most of Minnesota was there.  The friendly folks directing traffic had me park on the lawn which initially seemed odd but wound up giving me easy access into daughter’s dorm.  

Unloading was fairly smooth and I quickly noticed many students, plus family members, were not adhering to the “just take the items into the room and be done with it until tomorrow” philosophy.  Meaning they’re assembling and unpacking.  Full confession: that included Geoana and her roommate.  

What’s a father to do?

Evening rolls around and it’s time to relax given our primary mission is complete:  Daughter will officially admit tomorrow, all her belongings save the overnight bag (she’s bunking in our hotel room tonight) are in her dorm room and we had a pleasant journey overall.  No arguments, no bad feelings.  

Saturday August 31 is quite the full day.  Workshops for parents and for students.  We’re separate for the most part.  For the late afternoon the institution was quite clear to parents:  After the official welcome ceremony concludes, the students go out one way and the parents go out another.  Say your goodbyes!  

Reflecting on this experience nearly a month later I’m still surprised none of us shed any tears.  Geogal had a good observation as to why:  Geoana wasn’t upset or clingy (just the opposite, in fact) and she appeared to adapt right away both in the geographical and social aspects.  Child’s doing OK, so what’s to be upset about?  

The same held true for the remainder of our (mom and dad’s) time in Minnesota.  Geogal and I headed home on Tuesday after enjoying a leisurely Labor Day in and around the Twin Cities.  

Again, the journey back to Kansas was uneventful and still no tears.  

The surprises kept coming! 

So now this scribe and his wife are home in a house that now feels quite different.  Child is taking her latest journey into adulthood.  We’ve officially entered a new life stage.  

Let’s see where it goes…and where it leads us.  

A Late and Lengthy Critique of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye"

I first noticed the story on a mainstream news site.  

Joshua Harris, who penned I Kissed Dating Goodbye announced he and his wife are headed towards divorce.  

While I had heard of the book so many years ago I never gave it much attention.  At the time it was published (1997) I already was married and wouldn’t become a father until 2001.  Therefore it simply wasn’t a tome that was worth my time.  

Over the intervening years I heard it referenced occasionally.  One of the best examples was from our then-pastor’s daughter’s wedding.  While my wife and I didn’t attend we heard how the bride’s father (also the officiant) stated at the ceremony’s culmination:  “And now (her name) and (his name) will share their first kiss.”  

Really?

Welcome to the concept of “purity culture.”  Turns out I was in proximity of some adherents without knowing about it overtly.  My daughter, who is now a young adult, mentioned recently that one of her previous youth pastors believed in that point of view.  As it turned out, per my daughter, virtually none of the young people from that time followed through with dumping the hugging-kissing-dating lifestyle.  

And that’s not a bad thing.  

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Even today I’m not sure why the Joshua Harris news got my attention the way it did.  After reading the aforementioned news story I then did an Internet search and spent some time reading others’ opinions on the matter.  

Then I got to wondering just what I Kissed Dating Goodbye actually postulated.  Problem:  I didn’t want to spend any of my hard-earned cash on what is rapidly becoming a criticized and discredited book (even by Harris himself).  But surprise, our local library had a copy!  And further surprise, it was available!  (Am I the only one around here who’s curious?)  The next day I brought home the book and cracked it open.  

Overall it’s a quick read, only takes a few sittings.  And to my further surprise, I didn’t have a huge problem with his starting point:  we need to take dating and romantic relationships more seriously and consider the larger consequences.  Nor did I have any difficulty with his points such as don’t ignore the rest of your friends if you’re exploring the possibility of marriage and don’t become romantically involved just to satisfy your own desires.  

But about halfway into the text I began to take issue with Harris’ thesis.  Summing up my thoughts, I believe Harris took the dating concept too far in the other direction.  The last part of his book addressed his views of old-fashioned “courtship” replacing the dating process.  

I’d encourage anyone curious about the subject matter to read the book for themselves.  As this is my blog, though, I’m more than willing to express detail on my reaction.  

First, I take issue with Harris’ belief that single people who are attracted to someone romantically lack self-control regarding sexual desire.  Balderdash!  There are plenty of people, both religious and non-religious who demonstrate the ability to remain chaste until marriage.  These couples also can agree on what physical contact is and is not acceptable up to the exchanging of marriage vows.  I can even make the argument that having such a discussion can strengthen a couple’s relationship during the dating and/or engagement process.  

Second, the “hands-off completely and no kissing, either” philosophy can give someone the message that sexual attraction and desire is something to be avoided.  If a couple buys into that belief and keeps it throughout the engagement, what then happens after the marriage vows are repeated and the reception is over?  I took a Human Sexuality class my very last semester of college and I recall a quote from the textbook:  “Walking down an aisle and signing a marriage license didn’t make me immediately sexually responsive.”  While I’m not in favor of premarital sex I believe taking the behavior too far the other way can be just as harmful.  Or compare it to a teen driver who just obtained the license and is now given keys to a sports car and told to take it out onto the open road and wind the thing up to 100 mph.  

Third, I believe all people are individuals and as such there is no “perfect” or “right” way to dictate these types of limits on others.  If a couple makes a decision for themselves to abstain from kissing, handholding or other physical contact I take no issue with it.  Yet it appeared many couples followed the “courtship” example laid out by Harris and others based on input and/or pressure from at least one set of parents.  How is that the foundation for a healthy marriage relationship?  

Fourth, Harris occasionally expands his views on anti-dating to an absurd level.  This is evidenced in one of his anecdotes where Harris describes a time where he “messed up” by becoming emotionally involved with a young woman.  (Yes, you read that right.)  I’ll summarize it:  He attended a two-week conference at a camp in the mountains above Colorado Springs.  He noticed a young woman and she seemed to reciprocate.  They began talking and realized they had plenty in common.  One afternoon they drove into town and after a lunch together did some window shopping.  After the conference ended they kept in touch, mainly via snail mail (remember this was before internet accounts and email were in everyday use) and phone.  After a time they realized the relationship had no future and said goodbye.  Harris expounds on how it was such a “mistake” to become emotionally involved with this female.  

Really?  How else are two people supposed to begin a relationship?  

And what was wrong about it?  According to Harris they didn’t even hold hands.  What harm was done?  

And that leads to my fifth point.  Harris was all of 21 years old when he penned this book.  And he’s the product of homeschooling.  So not only was he only not even two years removed from being a teenager he’s also an individual who never experienced the ups and downs of puberty in the milieu of secondary school, either public or private.  A question for the publisher:  What qualified this person to write such a book?  When I saw IKDG or his next book, Boy Meets Girl on display or listed in catalogs I always presumed this man was in his late 20’s or even early 30’s.  Hard to take seriously a book with this subject matter penned by—I’ll just say it—a kid.  Yes, he had a broken heart after the relationship I described in the preceding paragraph but that's a part of life.  

Certainly explains chapter/section titles such as “Keys for Keeping Your Relationships with the Opposite Sex out of the Romantic Zone.”  

My last point:  Even though Harris clearly wrote this from a Christian perspective none of his material has Scriptural basis.  Neither the Old nor New Testaments speaks specifically about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior for romantic relationships prior to marriage with the exception of fornication.  Courtship as Harris describes it is based in customs from about a century ago and bears no resemblance to today’s world.  Young people of both genders leaving home for college, career or military before considering a marriage remains the norm in our western culture.  Why would anyone want to take several steps backward?  

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If this entry captured your interest feel free to type “purity culture” into a search engine and read what’s out there.  Sad to see a concept that offered an alternative to the sex-without-responsibility groupthink to have turned into something that ultimately caused more harm than good.  

And it’s equally sad to see yet another marriage coming to an end.  I agree with those out there in the infosphere who refuse to engage in schadenfreude about news of the Harris’ separation and likely divorce.  

Here’s hoping the current crop of people leaving the nest, which includes my own daughter, figure out a healthy and reasonable balance between the two extremes.  

Local Radio--A Whole Lotta' Changes Since My Younger Days

Just a short while ago I noticed this article and read it with great interest.  

Some of you may know I spent the early part of my first career at a (now that I look back at it) relatively small AM-FM combo in southeast Arizona.  Not KHIL, which is the station featured in the article linked above, although I could receive KHIL just fine from my apartment in Sierra Vista.  

As was the author's intent, the Guardian article is showing the truth of the sad state of small-town radio in the United States.  

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I remember it well.  The year was 1985.  Up to then even casual listeners knew small-town radio had a purpose and identity.  It reflected that particular community and the spots frequently consisted of local businesses.  You could tune in during the morning and hear not only the school lunch menus but also which local individual had passed away and the visitation/funeral times.  The announcers lived in town.  You saw them at the grocery stores or post office, doing their normal errands just as all of us.  High school sports dominated the evening hours from the months of September through February.  

If the town was fortunate, the local station was an AM-FM combo.  Unlike today, where many AM's are now used to originate programming to an FM translator or HD secondary signal, the station located anywhere from 540 to 1600 on the dial often had a format and announcing staff distinct from the FM side.  Such was the case in Seguin, Texas, where I became acquainted with their hometown KWED (1580 AM, 105.3 FM).  The AM had a variety of country, polka and Spanish while the FM was country its entire programming day.  1580 was sunrise to sunset while the FM was 6 a.m. to midnight.  

Then on a visit to south Texas for Christmas of 1985 I noticed a big change.  While Seguin's AM was intact the FM no longer had the local identity or target audience.  Apparently the owner(s) sold the 105.3 frequency to a buyer who then increased the power to 100,000 watts, the most allowed for an FM station in the U.S.  Gone also was the country music format and the local voices.  And the call letters.  This station was now known as KSMG, branded as "Magic 105."  Top 40 playing 24-7, targeted at the San Antonio market.  

What I didn't realize at the time was yet another change for the radio business.  

Also during 1985 even FM's near my home area of the time (Albuquerque) were undergoing similar changes.  I remember upon moving to the Duke City in 1982 how I had the challenge of hearing the FM's to the north on my lame home radios.  Santa Fe had two FM's and Los Alamos had one.  By the end of '85 all had kicked up their power and eventually changed their transmitter locations all for the purpose of putting a viable signal into Albuquerque...where the majority of the (potential) listeners resided.  More listeners means more money.  In the meantime two new FM's licensed to Santa Fe signed on the air and didn't even pretend to be locally-oriented to northern New Mexico.  

Suddenly the radio listener had more options and few people seemed to care that their hometown FM stations no longer cared about the community.  To be sure, the existing AM stations up north still carried much of the same programming and could fill the void created with the changes on the FM dial.  

For the time being.  

The aforementioned practice of taking small-town FM's and adding them to a nearby large city's market soon became known as "move-ins."  

And if the station is located just too far away from a population base to make a move-in possible, then said station will have to find another way to remain profitable.  Or die a slow death.  

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During my time working in Sierra Vista I got to witness first-hand another significant change in the local radio business.  As was the case in Seguin some years prior, the AM and FM signals had different formats.  KTAN 1420 AM was country music and KFFN 100.9 FM featured adult contemporary.  The AM signed on at 5 in the morning and had announcers and board operators throughout the day and evening before signing off either 11 or midnight.  (It's been so long I really can't remember when they shut down for the night.)  

The FM, however, had a live announcer during the morning drive time and occasionally from 3 to 6 p.m.  The rest of the time it was automated, using an even-then-ancient collection of reel to reel machines supplemented by carts where the local spots (and my newscasts) kept the bills paid and listeners informed.  

A few months into my tenure the general manager together with the owner bought into a satellite-fed service from Drake-Chenault.  While this was a great improvement for the FM side (all the staff agreed unofficially there was probably no way the FM could sound worse given the horrid automation system) it also had the result of removing the local, community-based feel the AM team perfected.  Morning drive time was the only shift left unchanged when the satellite service was implemented.  

Replacing local voices with a nationwide provider--another trend in the industry.  Why bother with local announcers when you can have a satellite service that sounds polished and professional?  You don't have to deal with on-air staff who might call in sick.  The bean counters also appreciate not having to have the headache of payroll and benefits for the necessary number of people needed to really make a station work as it should.  And programming?  Bought and paid for.  

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If you read this blog you know I listen to SiriusXM almost exclusively.  To some radio old-timers I might seem like a traitor or sell-out.  But does anyone ask me why I choose to pay for satellite radio when there are still terrestrial options?  

The answer is in the larger picture of this entry.  Why did I ditch AM and FM?  Bottom line: they no longer gave me any compelling reason to listen.  Drive through any city and the commercial FM's almost all sound the same, regardless of your location in these United States.  AM stations in urban areas are relegated to talk, sports, infomercials and various foreign language offerings.  Small-town radio?  For those stations that still survive, nearly all are satellite-fed to some degree.  

Add to the above my ability to listen to whatever type of music I want at any given time and knowing I will not lose the signal if I hit the highway and I believe SiriusXM is worth the monthly cost.  

There's just nothing special on the old-fashioned dial anymore.  

And that's a shame.  

Not long after KTAN/KFFN switched to the satellite service our program director Carlos said to me wistfully: "At (KTAN's) peak, we had something really special.  Great people on the air and a real connection with our listeners.  We could have gone into Tucson, if such a thing were possible, and given some of those stations a run for their money."  

Then and now I couldn't agree more.  But radio is a business and an ever-changing business.  That's how you wind up with small town radio ending up with a similar fate as Willcox, Arizona's KHIL.