Wild Thing: Wild Horses

So yeah I know I've already written about the wild horse sanctuary, but honestly how could I not do another one.  They were just so amazing and Beautiful!  Come on people you had to know this was coming, I mean how often do I default to YNP or Monterrey?  But this series of posts is all about the animals and you cannot deny how gorgeous they are.

Wild Hearts! Wild Horses!

I've always wanted a horse.  I love them- everything about them, I just love them.  As a kid I took riding lessons for a while, I was a trail guide for a bit.  I might not have every been great, but I was pretty good, and I enjoyed it so much.  I don't get to be near horses a lot any more.  After we stopped with the lessons, I've probably been riding a dozen or so times.  More recently as my cousin has horses and when ever I go visit we go riding.

Painted Bison of West Yellowstone

Native Jewel Pony

 I have a painted pony statuette.  I got it a few years ago in a gift shop at old faithful, it is beautiful.  It is the Native Jewel Pony.  There were 150 life-size ponies painted across New Mexico.  Well, West Yellowstone had a similar idea, with their own twist.  Bison are very common so they used this and created several Painted Bison and calves throughout the stores of West.  They had them all on display in 2009.

Minnesota 150: Un

So being a pretty big history nerd (apparently my sis is one too, but that was news to me) while in the Twin Cities last fall, we decided to go to the History Museum.  It is pretty awesome.  Been twice now in the last year.  We went specifically for the MN 150- or the 150 most important things from/about Minnesota.  Some of the pics might not be that great, and I am not gonna show ALL 150 items.  Enjoy!

Burma Shave, a shaving cream company from Minnesota was very well known for having absurd road signs with sayings and rhymes on them

Thank god and greyhound they're gone.  My mom used to love to sing that when we would stay at my Gramma's.  Greyhound originally began in Hibbing.

This one is kinda creepy to me, the butter queen.  Or as she is officially known as Princess Kay of the Milky Way.  Her butter bust is on display at the state fair.

The Miracle on Ice!  While not wholly a Minnesota thing, Herb Brooks was a good old Minnesota boy!  And there were 12 players from Minnesota on the team.

Paul Bunyan and Babe, not originally from Minnestoa, but were embraced by the state.  There are several statues in Minnesota.  Notably the one in Bemidji (which I am going to see again in a few days) and Akeley. Oh, and Lake Bemidji looks kinda like a foot.

Garrison Keller and the Praire Home Companion is one of those things that just screams Minnesota.  While life in Lake Wobegone might be a bit far fetched, it is really endearing!

This is Dan Patch.  I originally learned about Dan Patch while volunteering at the local historical society.  And being mad about horses, I was shocked I knew nothing about him from before.  Dan Patch was foaled in Kentucky and then in 1902 at the age of 6 he was sold to Marion Willis Savage a resident of Minnesota, who moved the horse to Minnesota.  He only lost two heats, and no races in his career-he was retired in 1909. His pacing mile record stood until 1960.

And could the MN-150 be complete with out Jessie "the Body/Mind" Ventura?  I think not, he played a significant part in Minnesota politics.  Right or wrong, he got people fired up and voting.  I remember being excited about this.  But the novelty of a wrestler as governor wore off and it seemed like it became a joke to everyone.

Randomness: Things!

This plastic bubble thing was a great moment of my childhood.  My younger brother and I used to play with them all the time.  I found them again at the Dollar Tree and boy was it fun!

This painted pony was my absolute favorite one.  I bought it at Old Faithful, and I don't remember if they had it at the lake hotel gift shop.  Even if I did get into an "argument" with my gorgeous cowboy friend about which location had the better horses.

I love penguins (unless they are from Pittsburgh).  They are adorable and look so cuddly!  That and they usually are the best part of movies that have penguins in them!

Hey!  Look it's me!  At least I like to pretend it is me.  It should be and not just because that hat is something awesome!  But it was made for me by my Grandma.

The parental units got me this in Germany.  When I was in Germany, I got myself a purse with edelweiss on it cause they are awesome.  And I love the song.  I hope to have my super talented best friend paint something similar to this on a wood chest that I have.