Exploding Tonight

Watched crews setting up Aquatennial fireworks on Stone Arch Bridge today. This is one of the biggest fireworks shows in the country, expected to draw around 250,000 people to the riverfront tonight. We’ll watch from our balcony.

A Taste of History

Walked with a friend and gawked at one of the oldest (1905) school buildings in Minneapolis, now apartments. Recharged at Key West Bistro with, of course, key lime pie.

Air Quality

On our Sunday morning walk, the air quality seemed to be improving as we looked towards Downtown from Boom Island. Yesterday, we could smell, taste, and see the smoke pollution from the Canadian wildfires.

A Seat at Al’s Breakfast

With most university students gone for the summer, it was finally possible to quickly snag one of the 14 stools at 1950s-era Al’s Breakfast in Dinkytown. The corned beef hash with a fried egg on top in the narrowest restaurant in Minneapolis was sublime.

Tired Time Travelers

Problem: Working through a 14-hour time difference, and too lazy/tired to cook dinner. Solution: Walk across Washington Avenue to Maxwell’s.

Cloudburst

Sat in Lunds & Byerly’s, consuming a donut and coffee, and watched as a downpour drowned my bike. A few minutes earlier, the heavens had opened as I was locking up the bike, soaking me to the skin. Back home, a hot shower made everything OK.

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

The anonymous industrial buildings may look unassuming, but they house a large Asian supermarket and one of the city’s best seafood markets. I bought vegetables at United Noodles and sea scallops at Coastal Seafoods, taking advantage of their 20% senior discount on Tuesdays.

A Cyclist’s Oasis

Even my phone overheated while cycling through Nordeast Minneapolis. Finding relief, I took a quick break in Surdyk’s walk-in beer cooler. A six-pack of Bauhaus Lounge Wizard in my backpack kept my back cool on the journey home.

Mad Max: Nordeast

While cycling in Nordeast Minneapolis, I was stopped in my tracks by a moving art installation that evoked the Mad Max movies. Nordeast Minneapolis is home to hundreds of artists.