Hiked part of the Superior Hiking Trail above Duluth before checking in to a hotel for the night. The trail was sometimes obscured by fallen leaves, but blaze marks on the trees—blue for the main trail, white for spurs—kept us on track.
Category: Walk
View from Plymouth Avenue Bridge
At roughly the midpoint of our Sunday walk, we cross the Mississippi River on the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, enjoying the downstream view towards Downtown. The distinctive Boom Island ‘Lighthouse’ is an addition to the park, built in 1987 by the Minneapolis Park Board.
No, Really, It’s Not a Pub Crawl
Researched places for lunch for each day of our upcoming multi-day hike from Oxford to the source of the River Thames and plotted them on our trail map. Remarkably there’s a place for each day, and they’re all pubs. Of course there’s a Red Lion, a White Hart, and a Ye Olde Swan. (Numbered pins…… Continue reading No, Really, It’s Not a Pub Crawl
Forgotten Bridal Veil Falls
It was raining, so I decided to walk. From East River Road, near the Franklin Avenue Bridge, I heard the sound of rushing water. Peering over a wall, I stumbled upon a hidden gem: Bridal Veil Falls. The stream has been tamed by a culvert, and the Falls diminished by development, and it lacks even a name sign. I later found photos of its untamed beauty. Click through for a glimpse of its past.
No Lines
As usual our Sunday morning walk took us across Boom Island. Workers were busy tearing down after a two-day music festival, the Basilica Block Party. There was visual evidence this had been a large event.
Aftermath of a Stormy Night
A storm raged overnight, leaving the odd downed tree to navigate around on our hot and steamy Sunday morning walk. We’re grateful to still have power, knowing many are facing outages today.
Portals to the Imagination
Spotted these tiny houses on Nicollet Island on our Sunday morning walk. The little door and windows on the left definitely look like a “mouse house” by local artist Mows. The house on the right is likely a mass-produced fairy house.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Today: lovely spring day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN, with friends. We walked a scenic three-mile loop, chatting so much that pictures completely slipped my mind. Finally, at the end of the walk, I snapped this quick photo of tulips—they were still putting on a good show. Note to self: return for…… Continue reading Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Temple Plumbing 2024
On my Shikoku 88 temple visits, I have a tradition of photographing the temizuya (purification stations). Here’s the crop from my most recent trip to Japan.
A Quiet Trail With a Tiny Shrine
Completed my temple and shrine quota for this trip with a visit to Kamakura, Japan’s capital from 1185 to 1333. On a hike along a fine trail in the hills above the city, I stumbled upon this tiny cave shrine. The few other hikers I encountered, nearly all Japanese and mostly older than me, seemed unfazed by the trail’s more technical sections.