At the mobile sauna yesterday, we had good effect with an international/reggae/African play list.  Nothing Ragga and Rough, but more ambient dub (King Tubby, Thievery Corporation) with a mix of African (Amadou & Mariam, Fela Kuti).  When at the sauna controls, choosing instrumental music, and (or music where one doesn’t understand the lyrics) seems to resonate like a cold water splash on sauna rocks.

Thanks to my brother, I have a waiver/disclaimer prohibiting top 40.

Authentic Wood Burning Sauna to visit Uptown, Minneapolis February 6-7, 2010.

Old Chicago Uptown, bar sponsor for the The City of Lakes Loppet Cross Country Ski Festival, is excited to offer up the use of an authentic Finnish sauna to racers, sauna enthusiasts, plumbers, pipe fitters and and spectators in conjunction with this weekend’s festival in Uptown Minneapolis.

Folks interested in taking an authentic sauna are encouraged to bring a bathrobe or towel, swimsuit and a pair of flip flops.  The sauna will be in the front of the parking lot, adjacent to the Old Chicago entrance. The sauna will be idling warmly from 2-7 pm Saturday and 2-5 pm Sunday.

Old Chicago will be featuring “two for one” Summits during the above happy hour times. Old Chicago will also be featuring a $4.00 Pasta Bowl on Saturday 2/6 (4:00 to 6:00 with Loppet bib or registration). Patio will be open for an ice cold beverage and cool down between sauna rounds. Come experience that ”up north” Scandinavian feeling and take a sauna at Old Chicago with your fellow cross country ski enthusiasts!

The City of Lakes Loppet festival:
http://www.cityoflakesloppet.com/

The Mobile Sauna:
http://www.saunatimes.com/2010/01/04/the-mobile-sauna-by-saunatimes-com/

Old Chicago:
http://www.oldchicago.com/

xxx

Rain, not snow

Rain in Minnesota in January seems as common as snow in San Antonio in summer.  We are typically blessed with single digit temperatures, bright sun, fast outdoor ice, and fresh powder snow for skiing.  Today, however, was met with temperatures in the 30’s, a heavy gray sky and steady drizzle.

A healthy glow

The folks that converged today on Fish Lake in Maple Grove were here to raise money to build a high school in Haiti, as part of the Rotary Club of Maple Grove’s 2010 Deep Freeze Dunk .  I brought my mobile sauna to the shoreline of Fish Lake to help with the plunge experience.  Maybe it was the feel good purpose of the event, maybe it was everybody’s bright smiles contrasting with the gray sky, maybe it was the 170 degree wood burning sauna, but everybody in attendance was happy to be there and participating in a timely, good cause.

New friendships flow

I’ve always said, the worse the weather, the better the sauna.  Today was no exception.  Those that committed to support the fundraiser, got off their couches, ventured out onto a frozen lake, plunged into the hole in the ice, indulged in sauna, began forming a bond which naturally evolved into tighter friendships.  There is something genuine about the polar plunge and sauna experience.  Honesty, transparency, sincerity.  There is no bullshit in a sauna.

I am excited to announce that the first mobile Finnish sauna will be idling warmly as part of the annual New Year’s Day polar plunge on Lake Minnetonka.  Click here for more videos and photos. (This guy needs a sauna):

Date:

Friday, January 1, 2010 @ 9:30 AM local time

Address:

I would like to organize an American delegation to join the 6,000 plus Finns that will be at the 2010 Mobile Sauna Festival.   If anyone has a lead on sponsorship or airline tix, shoot me an email.. here’s the scoop:

“In tiny Teuva Municipality in the West Coast of Finland, mobile saunas get together at beginning of August. There are only two rules for the saunas. First they have to be mobilised and secondly they have to be so big, that one person can bath in the sauna. Every year there shall be some new sauna participators. There are no tickets, so you are welcome to join us. However for car park there shall charge of 2 euros.

In year 2008 there were 37 saunas and about 2000 persons. In year 2009 there were even more: 47 saunas and about 6000 persons. This event for all sauna friends was first time in the center of Teuva in year 2006 with 18 saunas and second time in Parra in year 2007 with 37 saunas.

Please bring your own towel and swimsuit and entire family along with you! One should be old enough to enjoy a sauna on their own to avoid any mishaps. However it becomes ones own responsibility in case of any mishap. ”

Glenn’s note: In the Finnish translation, they call it ”mishap” i call it “escort guests to the property line.”