Minnesota Hot Dash Packet Pick-up and Waffle Failure.

Greetings from the Twin Cities!   Specifically from the St.Paul side of things.    Today was the Packet Pick up for Cheryl's Ten Mile Hot Dash race.  The last time we were in Minnesota was back in 2019, the last time we ran this race.   So Cheryl was eager to get back in the saddle after Arkansas and add another medal to her Wall of Fame!

 Of course,  this time we are bringing along the Zakoseks.   Either that, or they are stalking us.   Whatever the reason, they are here with us now, so we might as well hang out with them  and grab the packet pick up together. 

We had to kill a little time before we could pick things up, so after Cheryl learned that they had never been to IKEA,   We decided to have lunch there.   I was the only one eating since everyone but me is running tomorrow.  ( or is Vegan....)  Go figure.   Hey!  At least I got to eat some Meatballs. 

After being a lab rat in a maze for a couple hours, we headed to the packet pick up located in a rough part of town.   It "looked" rough on the outside,  but once we got inside, we discovered that the rough exterior was really a refurbished factory that is now being used by Artist and Designers.   Kind of cool.  

With all of the Runners fully registered and accounted for, (That is:  Everyone by me... again.)   the last thing for the night was to "carb load" for the race tomorrow.   Waffles and Pancakes were on the agenda.  We even brought our waffle maker for the event.  

Is that... Smoke?

But problems began to arise the moment the bacon, cooked almost exclusively for the meat eaters in our little group,  began to smoke things up.  Don't get me wrong,  the smell of smokey bacon is AWESOME!  But there is a fear of fire detectors being triggered and visibility within the room being compromised. 

Eating the Evidence!

And then Cheryl tried to make a Waffle.   To be fair,  the waffle maker has been un-used for a while and Cheryl was using a chocolate chip waffle mix.   Not the best choice when initiating a waffle maker that has not been used for ages.    Things began to go south from there.

A Successful waffle?

The "waffle,"  what pieces could be salvaged, turned out to be tasty.  But the "Minds in Charge" decided to try again with a lower amount of batter in the waffle maker.    We managed to pry something out of the iron that somewhat looked like a waffle.   We all chopped it up and nibbled on it without actually making any more.   But at least the Pancakes worked out.  

Tomorrow is the race.   The runners will hopefully expel the remainder of their energy and we will be back to normal for at least another two week.  That is the plan, anyway.  I will be there taking pictures.   That is the plan, anyway....   For now,  time for some rest,  some peace,   And a sample of a local beer.   Wish us luck.