Rock Island Bridge

Did a long cycle ride to beyond southeast St. Paul. Our turnaround point was the Rock Island Swing Bridge that now ends in the middle of the Mississippi, forming a pier. The swing portion has been removed to economically streamline barge traffic.

Heartland Trail

After cycling 20 miles along the Heartland Trail, it was time to enjoy this view then cycle back via a small-town bar for lunch. One of the first rail-trails in the country, it’s an easy ride, no serious climbs, shaded by forest most of the way.

Turn Left at the Giant Walleye

We didn’t stop as we turned left at the giant walleye and continued our journey Up North. We’re staying in a comfortable old hotel by a lake where the Paul Bunyan and Heartland State bicycle trails converge

Remnant of WWII

On my cycle ride: World War II guard tower built to protect a Norden bombsight factory. Today, tenants of the old factory buildings include a distillery and a company that develops LEGO military model kits. (The LEGO Company has a strict policy against selling military models.)

Chicago Day Trip

MSP carpet. The design was commissioned specifically for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. This week, it felt good to be standing on MSP carpet after a long absence: I’d last seen the inside of an airport back in March 2020. It felt even better to be on an early morning flight to Chicago. 1. ‘L’ from…… Continue reading Chicago Day Trip

Chicago Impressions

Plane MSP–MDW, train, foot, bike. Old Glory, Muddy Waters, former Marshall Fields clock. Lakefront Trail. Lake fish, fries, local brew at beach bar. The 606 High Line. Only said “f___ you” once (as I swerved past a driver chatting on his phone). ORD–MSP