Minnesota Summer Trip

From the perspective of a Fly on the Wall

(albeit, a very intelligent, sarcastic and possibly gay fly)

It was apparently forgotten by the 2 Minnesota boys just how suffocating the sweltering summer heat can be. As they departed the airport, Minnesota was in the middle of the most days over-90-degrees-in-a-row streak; the air was thick and begged for a tempestuous turn. Ryan must really appreciate that Randy is picking him up--he's done it like 3 times now! Funny how Toby was at the airport as well, just back from the UK too. The air conditioned ride to Woodbury to drop him off found them exploring all the new building--much is unrecognizable to Ryan with the passing of a year! It wasn't too long until Ryan and Randy joined Cam and then Ann for a quick pre-Liffy cocktail. Like these guys need any pre-cocktails, ever.




The Liffy--the new 'hotspot' for St. Paul's loudest and friendliest drunks--was a hit. Many of RJ's and Tim's friends were sitting on the rooftop bar, staring into the blazing sun and trying to stay cool with icy Absolut cocktails and large pints of Harp. Despite some bar tab confusion, one bedraggled waitress and several tired customers, it was apparent that all were elated at the semi-raucous reunion.


Later, the group moved to the TownHouse for--as the conspicuously absent Stevie K calls it: Welfare Night--for $1 beers. Outside of massive fan nearly blowing me off--and not in a good way--the wall and completely drying out all the eyes of the everyone standing around the table, it was a fun night. Ann and RJ got to dance to the Black Eyed Peas "Shut up Shut up", Tim got to give hugs and catch up with Jamie, Melissa, Randy, Cori, Lisa, Ann, Cam and surprise, Trevor and Allison, who happened to show up. I may be a fly, but I'm REAL good with names. RJ called the time of death for this little reunion party at 12:30am and the troops went home--not before a trip to White Castle, however. Thursday found RJ heading to Savage to hang out with Jennifer and her cute kids. It was 97 blessed degrees, and even the hot guy sitting next to them couldn't take their minds off the heat. They sipped their water, talked about the life, the kids, Scotland and soaked up the sun. Then some little suburban brat shit in the pool--apparently a daily occurrence, and the party was over. Ahh, no harm, they were bound to get heat stroke if they stayed much longer. RJ was picked up by Melissa and they headed to Billy's, to a surprisingly empty patio. Maybe it was the 97 degrees, who knows. The patio did fill up--but I speculate it was because of either the cold beer, or the really hot waiter, Dan. Admittedly, he was beautiful before he took his sun glasses off, but after the glasses came off, more drinks were ordered. They were joined by Stevie K, Melissa's 'Husband', and it was cheers all around. It soon became time to head to the gay bar, and Melissa was home to pack for the weekend. Stevie K and RJ headed down to Trikkx, where they were able to quietly chat about Stevie K's new job. He's very excited and has some great opportunities for challenges and fun! Randy and Cam soon joined and the four of them were laughing like old times. Tim was absent on this warm evening--most assuredly he was having a great time with his little brother Ted in Omaha. RJ described his latest adventures in Amsterdam, they talked about jobs, life and many trivial items--hot dad at pool, hot bartender at Billy's, etc. Oh, these boys never change.


THE WEEKEND...

Friday morning--a half day for most people as they were heading up to Chetek for the weekend--brought RJ to Carolyn and Tim's to meet their new baby--Joshua. This child is the most friendly baby I have ever seen. At just about 9 months old, he crawled right up on RJ and wanted to be held the whole time. They moved out to the kiddie pool, sipped on some Coke Zero, and reminisced about the previous years, caught up on the last few months and spoke about the future. An hour in the baby pool was all RJ could spare, and he was off to Randy and Cam's for the weekend trip.

The drive went pretty fast. Tammy and Cam in one car, Randy, RJ and Melissa in the other, Jimmy John sandwiches in hand, they were off. They stopped in Chippewa Falls for a cocktail at Loopy's.


They were pleasantly surprised to find a very helpful, friendly and cute bartender. Cam asked, "Can I get a refill of my Coke?", the bartender replied, "I would LOVE to give you a free refill." I think the heat was getting to Melissa, as she heard something different that the other four people. Some erotic photo hunt and two or three beers, and it was back on the road.

The arrived at the cabin to find Ann, Nikki, Molly and Lisa sipping drinks in the three season porch. It was HOT. Very hot. What was nice about the lake though, is that there were other flies--deer flies--for me to hang out with. So many new friends I made! So, they may help in the telling of the next part of this story.

The cigarettes were lit, cocktails in hand, the friends were looking at pictures from Scotland when Kate, Girl Cori and Tim arrived. Some helped them get settled, some poured more drinks, and then most headed down to the water, the pontoon, to try to cool themselves.

It would take two trips to get the crew to the Narrows, but not before some cruising around the lake for each bunch. RJ played captain for a day and in shifts of two, the whole group make to to Sparky and Bunny's quaint little-but recently expanded--bar on the lake. Friday appetizers persuaded the crew back to the house, but not before a few rounds of "Shake a Day".


Upon the return--Stevie K, Chris, Amy and Kim had arrived. Ryan's silly friends took advantage of his inebriated state and convinced him to make the long trek from the dock to the patio naked--to beat Chris to the punch as first one naked. After asking the other flies, I'm pretty sure she never paid up on that either. Nevertheless, the weekend isn't even in hour six yet, and there was nudity. Good times. The appetizers were fabulous--wings that melted off the bone, won tons and more--and those hungry bastard people ate almost all of it, leaving very little for us poor, helpless and hungry flies. :(

Saturday morning brought Melissa, Cam and RJ to the store to buy some supplies--okay, beer and ice. Of course they had to stop at Gilligans on the way home for "refreshments". Several G&T's, Absolut Cranberries and Bloody Marys later--don't forget about the good tunes on the jukebox and LK, the friendly bartender, and they were "refreshed".


They returned to find the others playing games and also "refreshing". Cocktails were delivered in shifts to the swimmers and Party Island goers.

Jamie and Tim arrived--Tim's a bit worn out from the drive took a well deserved nap and Jamie suited up to join the freaks in the water.



Ah, the Party Island. Melissa dropped a hundo on this massive floating, and it was off to the shed to fill it up.

They spent the entirety of the day on the pontoon, fishing, swimming, taking in the sun, telling stories and having a fabulous time! Boy Corey and Dan showed up a little later. Another trip to the Narrows was made, in shifts of course. The loud and proud group took over the bar. There was Shake a Day, Karaoke on that tiny damn machine and a lot of grab Ass!! Which one of these boys is queer--some, most, all?

Hey fellow flies... what was one of your favorite moments?

"I don't even have to think about that one. The funniest moment for me was at the bar when Melissa fixed Randy's hair and he looked like Aunt Helen!""Watching Girl Cori's first time at Erotic Photo Hunt with Cam"

"Acapella David Allen Coe---ahh, they THINK they sound so good."

"Jamie getting pulled into the water and then Girl Cori being pushed in by Jamie."

"I give it up to Girl Cori and Tami and the fabulous paddle boat adventure!!! Who knew they were such the paddlers!!!"

"Seeing Chris on that hot, sultry Wednesday night with that peach tank top on that had sweaty wet marks on that beautiful skin that had a nice sweaty glow to it. Do you remember anything else about the weekend but her sweaty glow?"

"The skinny dipping in broad daylight by RJ and Chris with boats in the near distance from the pontoon." (see top picture)


"Chris hitting the log in the water on the way to the narrows."

"Chris being so fricken hot that she put ice cubes in each cup of her bathing suit top and her bikini bottoms just to cool down"

"Just seeing a great bunch of loving, generous people, laughing, talking, playing and just have a great time enjoying life and friendship."

Sunday: It's still hot, but don't ask about the AC, it arrives tomorrow. We cleaned, hopped into our air conditioned cars, and headed back to home.

Don't you just hate it when people have such a good time together!

The Fly