The 2008 season of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is off to a precarious, but roaring start after a weekend of sunshine and 85 degree days. The normally slow paced crowds of opening weekend gave way to a gluttony of families and participants dressed in their best bodices and chain mail, informed by the media attention [...]

Las Vegas, namely the Vegas strip, is the most popular attraction in the State of Nevada. However, the state offers a number of other attractions beyond the general entertainment and gambling in Vegas. Outside of the city, many relaxing sites and interesting attractions are available for families, couples and individuals. The state features a number of natural sites such as lakes, hot springs and mountains. In addition, small towns and cities feature interesting attractions not found in Las Vegas.

The land that became Minneapolis was first explored in the late 1600s by French missionaries. A band of Dakota known as the Mdwekanton inhabited the chain of lakes, and they eventually agreed to sell the land to Europeans in a series of treaties. Later, Minnesota itself ended up part of the Louisiana Purchase, giving the United States control over the area.

In an effort to protect its Minnesota territory from British encroachment and Native American threats following the War of 1812, Camp Coldwater was established between 1820 and 1824 near the site of the future fort. In 1825, construction of Fort Snelling was completed, taking its name from Colonel Josiah Snelling. Snelling was known for heavy drinking and dysentery, of which he died from complications in 1827.

Created by railroad tycoon James J. Hill, the Great Northern Railway runs more than 1,700 miles (about 2,736 km) runs from St. Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington. It was developed by the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in the 19th century in an effort to expand a transcontinental railroad into the Pacific Northwest. Hill was able to construct the entire railway with only private funds and without taking any land grants. Unlike other railroads, it was also able to avoid bankruptcy in the Panic of 1893.

The James J. Hill House is located in St. Paul, Minnesota, near the Cathedral of St. Paul on Summit Avenue. Built by railroad tycoon and founder of the Great Northern Railway, James J. Hill, the house was completed in 1891 and still retains the pride of being the largest residence in the entire state according to the National Historic Landmark organization. The house measures a remarkable 36,000 square feet.

Virgin Galactic is poised to begin launching private space flight. Sir Richard Branson is utilizing the basic design of the winner of the X-Prize and developing SpaceShipTwo. The company is currently taking reservations for the first flights and testing the vehicles.

There are many places to visit when you visit Charlotte. If your bringing the family here are three places the kids are sure to enjoy.
Discovery Place
Located in Charlotte’s Uptown area, Discovery Place is a hand-on science education center that also operates the Charlotte Nature Museum. A children’s museum called Discovery Kids is in the works.
ImaginOn
A [...]

Not Just for the Young
The point is, Burning Man does something to people that is inexplicable, but inescapable.  For those of us in the so-called twilight of our lives, it has the potential to add quality if not quantity to your days on earth.  In fact, seniors probably have the most to gain from attending [...]

It’s the Economy Stupid

Not since Adam Smith has an economic model been turned on its head so thoroughly.  Burning Man is a “gifting” economy.  There are only two things for sale – ice and coffee (or tea if you so choose).  Otherwise, everything is free – or gifted in the parlance of Black Rock [...]