Ramen Refuel

Cycled a loop through North and Nordeast Minneapolis with a friend visiting from the UK. Refueled with ramen at Tori 44.

Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Generating Station

The Mdewakanton Dakota, who first lived in the area that is now Minneapolis, called the Mississippi, Hahawakpa, “River of the Falls.” Minneapolis owes its origins to the Mississippi and the St. Anthony Falls. Starting in the 1850’s, logs were floated down the river to be processed in sawmills powered by the falls. Later, flour mills… Continue reading Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Generating Station

Food Laboratory

Visited a food laboratory where new products are developed for Bellisio Foods in downtown Minneapolis. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis and owns national brands, including Boston Market.

Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Plant

From our home, we can see the Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Plant, opened in 1908 to power the streetcar system. In 2019, pretty much the same equipment powers 14,000 homes. Today we got to see the inside. Huge, blue conduits deliver Mississippi water to four turbines.

Vintage Beer Sign

On my cycle ride, the Hennepin Avenue bridge framed the Grain Belt Beer sign. The first bridge permanently spanning the Mississippi, anywhere, was opened here in 1855. The beer sign dates back to 1941.

Birders

Walked along a tributary of the Mississippi where my friends temporarily joined a group of birders. I learned this is the best time of the year to hear bird songs.