Day 7 :: Puppet theater AND Skijoring Loppet

Puppet Theater
Kid Friendly: yes
Pet Friendly: no
Cost: $9/person ($18 total)
Total Budget: $31/$50

Skijoring Loppet

Kid Friendly: yes
Pet Friendly: yes
Cost: $0

Today was a double-header. We were able to get in two very new, very unique activities. We started off the morning with the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater, and followed it up with the City of Lakes Skijoring Loppet.

Puppet Theater
Again, I was graced by the companionship of my team mate in this 30-day adventure, my daughter, Addie. However, this time, we were joined by another team... my friend Dalton and his daughter, Lexi. We arrived at the theater, and immediately felt pulled into an art culture that has been vacant in my life for many, many years. It was very nostalgic, and very welcome.They escorted us up to the workshop in an older building with high ceilings and outlined the process of creating our own puppets. I truly felt like a kid again, diving into a art project with the sky being my limit... although, the sky really wasn't the limit... we had 45 minutes to complete the project, AND I had to keep in mind we were here for the girls. (I have a tendency to 'overdo' my creative input into projects that were intended to encourage others).

When all was said and done, and the four of us put down our scissors and other puppet-making implements, the kids' projects were fabulous and they had a wonderful time. The girls did fine too!

The 'kids' trying to show their proudest faces

The girls displaying their creative masterpieces

Once all of our creative juices had run their course, we scampered down the stairs and got comfortable in the theater. Addie used her size and muscled her way to sit on the floor down in front, and was soon joined by Lexi, while Dalton and I held up the walls, occupying some available chairs off to the side. Although the presentation wasn't quite what I had expected, it was definitely high marks on the entertaining and creative scale.

Instead of being welcomed by a puppet, we were welcomed by an actress who lived in her role better than most would, tasked with a similar endeavor. She was funny, witty, engaging, and altogether entertaining. Eventually, she was joined by another character, in a 'puppet-like' mask, but still no puppets. Eventually, a suitcase was opened, and the second character, a gorilla, pulled out a few items that were treated as puppets... yet, somewhat unconventional. It was clearly not your traditional 'puppet show,' but it stretched my definition of puppetry, and successfully entertained all.

Addie and Esmeralda, the star of the show

Skijoring Loppet
Our time at the theater came to an end, and we bid our fair wells to Dalton and Lexi. I should mention, it was sort of a highlight of the week to be able to share one of these events with others. I'm hoping to do more outings with various friends, and I encourage anyone who wants to be a part of this to just let me know. Thanks Dalton and Lexi!

As a surprise, I thought I'd stretch the days activities a bit, and bring Addie down to the Lake of the Isles to check out an event that's part of something called 'The City of Lakes Loppet.' I'm still not exactly sure what the definition of Loppet is, but it seems to be any sort of race that involves cross-country skiing. An entire weekend has been built around various events, both competitive and non-competitive, that include cross-country skiing in some capacity. This particular event, the 'Skijoring' loppet, was specifically, a horde of skiers, each being pulled by 1 or 2 dogs. Simply put,... it was AWESOME!

I cannot recall ever seeing so many different dogs in one location. And these weren't just the semi-bionic dogs catapulting out into first place with their streamlined bodies and their thirst for the competitive edge. It also included the attitude-driven chihuahuas and pomeranians that were in tow behind the folks that were supposedly being pulled by these same dogs. It was both majestic AND quite comical. Indeed, a thing of awe.

The surprise was a success. Two thumbs up from Addie and myself.



Although these aren't my videos, I found these on YouTube of today's Skijoring Loppet: