Mississippi Bottom

This week a stretch of the the Mississippi below our home dropped by twelve feet. The US Army Corps of Engineers had temporarily lowered the river between two dams so they could inspect infrastructure. They also opened one of the dams to the public. This was a rare opportunity to explore the river bottom and…… Continue reading Mississippi Bottom

New Angles

Saw our neighborhood from new angles, including from the top of Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam.

Pig’s Eye

Cycled past Pig’s Eye Lake, en route to Battle Creek Park. In 1841, the name of the settlement beyond the rail yard was changed from Pig’s Eye to St. Paul.

Categorized as St. Paul

River Bottom

People were exploring the newly exposed Mississippi River bottom near our home. The Army Corps of Engineers is slowly lowering the water level by twelve feet so they can inspect infrastructure.

Navigating by US Presidents

Every week I look forward to cycling adventures with my friend, Dave, not least because he’s a better navigator than me. He also knows his presidents, which is helpful when we explore Northeast Minneapolis. Minneapolis streets are in alphabetical or numerical order, except when they’re not. Notably, Northeast Minneapolis streets are in presidential chronological order.…… Continue reading Navigating by US Presidents

Unusual Swing Bridge

On my cycle ride, stopped to watch barges being pushed through a gap in a rail bridge across the Mississippi near St. Paul. One span of the bridge, built 1915, had swung open. Unusually, the swing span is pivoted towards one end, requiring counterweights.

Categorized as St. Paul

Confronting History

Cycled around southeast Minneapolis looking for public art. This mask of Little Crow, chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota, is on sacred ground in Minnehaha Park. He was murdered by a settler in 1863 while picking raspberries. The Legislature awarded the settler $500.