Hundreds of runners unexpectedly surged towards us, just as we reached the middle of a bridge. The starting line for the Rainbow Run 5K was just beyond the bridge in Boom Island Park.
Category: Twin Cities
Things will be Hopping
Cycled past evidence our neighborhood is going to be hopping this weekend. (Stone Arch Bridge Festival.)
(Almost) Self-Sustaining Building
On our walk: a mill worker depicted at the Pillsbury A-Mill. Completed in 1881, it was the world’s largest flour mill for 40 years. Today the building is well-appointed artist lofts; a hydroelectric generator, combined with geothermal, produces 75% of the building’s energy needs.
Incongruous Fireplace
Walked with friends in 85° sunshine. Cooled off with a cuppa in the Emery Hotel near an incongruous fireplace.
Como Park Conservatory
Como Park Conservatory on a cycle ride to St. Paul and beyond.
Market Day
Well-maintained industrial ruins towered above while I waited in a socially distanced line at Mill City Farmers Market.
National Guard in Minneapolis
Greeted National Guardsmen on my walk through the Minneapolis North Loop to a block where, in 1934, strikers were shot at by the police. Most were shot in the back, 67 were injured, two died. Martial law was declared, and the National Guard was deployed.
Lizard Lounge
I always smile when I cycle past “Lizard Lounge” on the grounds of a social services organization in northeast Minneapolis. The sculptor, Mary Johnson, was inspired by 1950s roadside attractions, and used materials authentic to that genre.
Former Instant Coffee Factory
On a Minneapolis North Loop walk, gave this apartment/retail building a second look. Recently learned 100 years ago this was an instant coffee factory that was claimed to be the largest in the world.
Cut and Cover
Cycled rail trails. At one point a trench was being cut to house a tunnel for the Green Line LRT extension. Once the trench is covered, this area will revert to parkland and trails.