Across the river from our home, there’s this eagles’ nest. Some years a pair raises chicks; other years, nothing. This morning’s walk surprised us with the sight of an eagle’s wiggling rear end (just visible in this pixelated photo), apparently while tearing apart something lower down the food chain. We’re hoping to see chicks soon. Sometimes one of the eagles swoops past our windows, riding the thermals.
Category: Minneapolis
Where do I put my eyes?
Clearly, I tried to fit a lot into this photo today: the modern Pierre Bottineau Library in the foreground, with the former Grain Belt Brewery (now offices) behind it. I do like the ghost staircase. Next is my old hoss taking a breather, and across the road, the former brewery office, now apartments.
A link to the past
After our respective Thursday volunteer gigs, we’re usually unwilling or unable (exit row airline-speak) to summon the energy to make dinner. This evening we walked the two blocks to Maxwell’s Pub. When I first moved to Minneapolis over 45 years ago, this was a rough industrial area with abandoned rail yards where our home now stands. I’d be sad to see remnants of that time, including the Maxwell’s building, disappear.
A pedestrian/cyclist freeway
We modified our usual Sunday morning walk along both sides of the Mississippi because three out of four bridges are currently being repaired or replaced. Here, a new pedestrian/cyclist trail is being built above the entrance to a dock then through a tunnel under Plymouth Avenue (just beyond the crane). The tunnel will lead to a recently opened park, Graco Park. The Minneapolis park system is a big reason we live where we live.
Last walk on Northern Pacific Bridge Number 9 (for now)
Our Sunday walk took us across the curvy Northern Pacific Bridge Number 9, the closest Mississippi crossing to home. It closes tomorrow for eight months of railing, deck, and abutment work. I’ll miss this quick route to the University of Minnesota’s East Bank campus and points beyond.
Owamni by the Sioux Chef: pre-colonial flavors, modern plates
Walked over to Owamni by the Sioux Chef restaurant for dinner. Enjoyed a meal of indigenous, pre-colonial ingredients in modern recipes. This is a popular restaurant, especially since it won a national James Beard award for the best new restaurant in America. We’ll be back to try out another season’s ingredients.
What’s 365 Feet Long and Hangs in the Post Office?
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned this impressive light fixture, but didn’t include a photo. Today, I happened to walk past our post office and snapped this picture. This 365-foot-long fixture was installed when the lobby was built in 1933, and it was reportedly the longest in the world at the time. I’m a big fan of indirect lighting, so I really appreciate this fixture.
Walking Between Raindrops
Walked in a general northeast direction until rain started, as forecast. Took a bus back.
On My Foraging Walk…
My walk took me to three supermarkets: Seward Co-op, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. Along the way, caught a glimpse of these unique buildings. On the left, built in 1965 for Northwestern National Life, the building is sheathed with beautifully matched-up marble. On the right, built in 1972 for the Federal Reserve, the building hangs from 24 cables connecting two concrete towers, much like a suspension bridge.
Frozen Expanse
On my walk, the view upriver from the Franklin Avenue Bridge. At this point, the Mississippi is slow-moving, so it’s frozen from edge to edge. Beyond the Interstate 94 bridge, downtown Minneapolis stretches out to the left, and the University of Minnesota Medical Center is on the right. As I walked, the temperature was slowly rising, bringing snow once I was safely home.