Cycled across Stone Arch Bridge today for the first time since spring 2024. It’s due to officially reopen on August 9th after a $36 million restoration, but it looks like some enterprising person moved the barriers just enough for people to get through. I hope the workers are being fairly compensated for finishing the job over two months ahead of plan.
Category: Twin Cities
Lunch break in the park
Walked home past groups of children enjoying a lunch break and the lovely weather in Gold Medal Park. They were likely there for activities at the adjacent Guthrie Theater or Mill City Museum. The Guthrie, for instance, offers several one to two-week summer camps for older kids, covering everything from stage management to performing Shakespeare. Seeing kids engage with the real world rather than screens really gives me hope.
Word of the day: obligatory
Waited for a friend at Minnehaha Falls. Groups of people were peering over the edge, taking the obligatory photographs. With the Falls going full blast, I couldn’t resist taking my own.
Three-eagle fly-by: a call to presence
Some moments are best experienced without a camera or preconceptions. Sitting here, I looked up from my reading just as three bald eagles from the nest across the river flew by in an arrowhead formation. I stood up and followed them with my eyes as they turned towards our building and out of sight. Earlier, while out on his run, Dwight looked up at the nest and saw two fledglings sitting together on a tree limb.
Lakeside breakfast
On our cycle ride, we stopped for a cooked-to-order breakfast sandwich from Bread and Pickle beside Lake Harriet. The park buildings look spiffy with a fresh coat of paint.
Sounds of summer in our neighborhood
Last night we watched fireworks exploding over St. Anthony Falls from our balcony. This morning, a crashing then scraping sound piqued my interest during my neighborhood walk: a vehicle had dragged a traffic light into an intersection, but thankfully, no one was hurt. Meanwhile, here in the courtyard of the Mill City Museum, lively salsa music accompanied a free dance class led by an upbeat instructor.
Authentic flavors at La Madre
Early dinner with friends at La Madre, a recently opened Mexican restaurant in our neighborhood. The food is authentic and delicious, including my Puerco en Adobo (shredded pork butt, corn, bacon, shallot, heavy cream, radish, lime, cilantro, pickled red onion). Yum!
Distant view of a piece of statement art: once seen, it cannot be unseen
With rain set in for the day, today’s walk was two blocks to Open Book. After an Americano and donut at FRGMNT, I explored an exhibition by an artist collective that has a workshop in the building. One piece, “Fermented Femme Underwear,” hanging by a chain from the ceiling, was probably not something you’d want to see while eating. Here’s a general shot with “it” in the distance.
Urban safari
On today’s cycle ride with a friend, we were glad to see these Nordeast beauties are still in residence, nicely complementing the carved giraffe we found last week. Next, I need to investigate if a zebra, clearly visible on Google Street View, is still hanging out in the yard of a south Minneapolis home.
Stopped in our tracks by big birds
Near the start of our Sunday morning walk, we looked up at a giant loon called PK. Minnesota United is our local professional major league soccer team. Later, we watched an eaglet perched on the edge of its nest, with a parent looking on.