Whew! Spent Monday through Wednesday in scenic Fargo, ND. Never been there before, outside of the virtual tour afforded by the Coen brothers.

It was odd.

They call it the franchise capital of the world. I did indeed see the most theme restaurants I have ever encountered in one place. And we stayed in the lovely Holiday Inn Fargo.

It was odd, by God!

This particular Holiday Inn boasted a Holidome, a considerable selling point. And what was in the Holidome, you may ask? Why, Shipwreck Island, a fabulous pool/mini water park for the kiddies, with a booze-serving tiki hut nearby for the adults! Here's a pic -- as you can see, it was packed.

Odsbodikins!

And wouldn't you know it -- I forgot my swimsuit! Dangit. Fortunately, there was the "Spirits" lounge. They do not spend money on names in this joint -- they get franchises for cute names, I guess.

What they do spend money on is gambling. The Spirits lounge actually had blackjack tables, with real dealers and real cameras -- like a little slice of an Indian Reservation. Cheap drinks, too!

Unfortunately, I don't gamble. Still, the unreality of the whole situation was worth witnessing.