After a university campus walk with a friend, warmed up with coffee and freshly baked vegan muffins at Hard Times Cafe. Collectively owned by the workers, it has a 70’s ambiance and an ideology I’ve seen described as punk and hippy.
Category: Minneapolis
Imagination at Work
On my walk, stopped to take in this $49 million development. Two crumbling buildings I’d thought were beyond hope were being incorporated into new construction. Last summer I noticed the white building had been temporarily moved to the road to make way for construction of underground parking.
Sensory Treat
Mailed Christmas cards: a good reason to walk through the lovely Art Deco lobby of the downtown Post Office.
Senses Deprived
Explored featureless tunnels under downtown Minneapolis connecting buildings across several blocks. Eventually I was glad to return to the frozen world above.
Depictions of a Neighborhood
On my walk home from my Friday gig, spotted a mural I’d never seen before in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. It depicts many stories of the neighborhood, ranging from the first Americans to the journeys of the newest Americans. I’ll be back to take a closer look.
Not Just Another Coffee Shop
On my walk through the Minneapolis North Loop (Warehouse District) popped into recently opened Backstory Coffee Roasters. The former warehouse is stunning, complete with a green wall and historic artifacts from the former occupant, the Duffey Paper Company.
Quick Scene Change
Walked on fresh snow in our neighborhood: a quick scene change from the streets of Tokyo yesterday.
In the Heights
Cycled to the highest point in Minneapolis, Deming Heights Park. At one point we dismounted and pushed.
Renewed Places
Explored Downtown with a UK friend, focusing on fine old buildings, many sensitively adapted and reused. This former Milwaukee Road ticketing hall is now a hotel event space. Later, we rode a 21 bus along Lake Street to see how well it has come back after the protests of 2020.
Sunday Morning Walk
On our Sunday morning walk: this maple delivers every year. The steeple belongs to Our Lady of Lourdes church. The church dates back to the 1850’s, the steeple is a later addition (1880’s).