When In Rome (or the Midwest)

Welcome welcome WELCOME to Houghton, Michigan, home of Michigan Tech, Yoopers on snowmobiles, and the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships for the next week!

In case you were wondering just where we are..... see map below.

Thaaaat's right folks, we are currently as immersed into the snowy, blustery, deeply cold Midwest as we could possibly get without snorkeling across the Great Lakes to Can-ah-duh.

Which, of course, I am just loving.  Since moving out West, I've gotten used to getting some laughs for being a "Midder" (apparently slang for a person hailing from the Midwest), so it's kind of fun to have the rest of the country in my neck of the woods for once. So in the spirit of skiers convening in the Midwest for an entire race series, I thought I would offer a tutorial for those who AREN'T Midders but would like to try to be.

Ready? Here we go!

Do: Learn how to love hot dish and pasties (the kind you eat)
The Midwest is notorious for its home-y cuisine.  And who doesn't love a warm casserole when it's -15F outside and you just got off the lake from ice fishing? (The crock pot is the Midder's best friend.)

Don't: Say goodbye too fast.
If you say goodbye to a Midder and simply turn around and walk out the door, you're probably going to get a look of confusion and bewilderment. The Minnesota Goodbye requires you to walk to the door, say goodbye, chat for a bit while you put your shoes on, hug goodbye again, chat some more while you put your coat on, end up talking for an hour, finally get out the door and down the sidewalk, talk some more while you stand freezing by your car, and finally back down the driveway to the entire family waving until they can't see you.  We really milk goodbyes for all they're worth.  If you say goodbye too fast, we'll probably assume you don't didn't like our hot dish.

Do: Extend those OOOs and AAAAs
"Oooh yaaa I'm goin on the booooat after I eat some baaaagels."

Don't: Take the last piece of food.
Proper etiquette while dining: There's one last piece of bread. Don't take the bread. If you really want some bread, break a piece off and leave some left in the basket. Or at least wait for 20 minutes, announce to the entire table that you're going to take the last piece, and then take it and try to look apologetic.

Do: Slip in the "oh jeez" and "you betcha!"
Study up on Midder lingo. It will make communicating easier, dontcha know.

Don't: Assume everyone lives in Fargo. 
Fargo is a great movie. Also a great tv show. But not everybody in the Midwest is from there, and it's probably not a good idea to ask them if they are when you see them.

Well, I hope these helpful hints make your experience in Hooooughton a great one. Remember, if the waitress calls you "hon", you've officially been accepted.

The racing kicks off on Sunday with the skate 10/15k individual start. The trails are absolutely amazing, the snow is glorious, and it's going to be a good week of skiing! See you out there!