Category: Place

Portals to the Imagination

Spotted these tiny houses on Nicollet Island on our Sunday morning walk. The little door and windows on the left definitely look like a “mouse house” by local artist Mows. The house on the right is likely a mass-produced fairy house.

Exploring Minneapolis

The plan was to pedal with a friend visiting from the UK, but rain showers and lightning in the forecast threw a wrench in our gears. Instead, we opted for a long walk through Minneapolis. At the offices of Ryan Companies, an architecture, engineering, and construction firm, we reviewed this wooden model of Downtown.

Finding Inspo

Took in some of my favorite sights on a Nordeast Minneapolis bike ride. Between Bauhaus Brewery and the headquarters of modern furniture company Blu Dot, this silent gantry crane nods to the building’s industrial past. Last year this scene inspired me to create a LEGO gantry crane.

Pit Stop at Cossetta’s

It had been raining overnight, but it stopped just in time to hop on a train to Fort Snelling and meet up with a friend. We then cycled a loop via downtown St. Paul, taking in each side of the Mississippi. In St. Paul, we refueled at the legendary Cossetta’s, with its extensive selection of… Continue reading Pit Stop at Cossetta’s

Trail’s End

Today’s hike was our longest yet, but with the least climbing. From Sausalito, we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, then followed the bay to The Embarcadero. The BART whisked us to the airport, where we settled into the comfortable Grand Hyatt right there for the night. Our room has great views of plane movements, and… Continue reading Trail’s End

Gradual Reveals

Our hike, today, was the longest and highest of this trip. Wonderful views kept us motivated: first the Pacific, then one tower of Golden Gate Bridge, then a glimpse of San Francisco’s skyline wedged between two hills. Here, we’re finally Bay-side, soon to descend towards Sausalito to check into a small hotel, shower off the… Continue reading Gradual Reveals

Next Up: Novels and Naps

After a shorter hike than yesterday’s (it is a rest day) and a nutritious late lunch of “crisps” (potato chips) and IPA, we retired, here, to the snug with a pot of tea. It was then upstairs to our bedchamber for Kindle-time and naps.

A Simple Hike

We did a simple loop hike, ending up back at our inn. After a breakfast that included a tasty banger, headed down the coast towards the entrance to San Francisco Bay. In the distance a foghorn announced that visibility was limited.