This morning: hiked a snowy landscape with temperatures in the 50s. This afternoon: desert hiking in the 80s. All thanks to an 8,000-foot elevation difference and an aerial tramway. Both hikes were cut short: the first by ice, the second by dehydration.
Category: Place
“We’re not in Kansas anymore”
Arrived in sunny Palm Springs for a short respite from the Minnesota winter. After a much-anticipated grilled cheese sandwich late lunch at Blackbook, a downtown haunt for, um, friends of Dorothy, we filled a cart with groceries at Albertsons, then checked into our rental. Here, we’re sitting on our balcony in the dusk staring at palm trees and the San Jacinto Mountains.
We like it here*
A cyclist, unperturbed by the chill, overtook me as I walked home after wandering around the university with a friend. (*Slogan once used to promote tourism to Minneapolis. To me, it comes over as defensive, even though I do like it here, provided we can shorten the winter by retreating to warmer climes.)
Palm Springs 2025 #2
More journeys ≫
You’re gonna make it after all!*
Went on a Target run, or rather a walk, to the downtown store. En route, I passed Mary Tyler Moore/Mary Richards eternally throwing her tam in the air in front of the Dayton’s building, oblivious to the traces of yesterday’s snow on her head and shoulders. Back in the 1980s, her thirty-year-old character had moved to Minneapolis and was making a fresh start, as had I. (*Line from the show’s theme song.)
Life in a cold climate
Waiting for friends at a light rail station, I pushed a timer button to run this ceiling-mounted infrared heater. I used to view these as wasteful, but given this cold snap, I’ve come to appreciate anything that takes the chill off my bones.
From Gold to Cold
The season’s first winter storm hit overnight, leaving three inches of snow. The hard wind brought windchill temperatures into the teens. Took this photo at Gold Medal Park, then back home I retreated under my blankie and asked AI to turn the G into a C.
Keeping track of time
It’s Tuesday evening in Tokyo, but it’s going to be a long Tuesday, 39 hours to be exact. We arrive Minneapolis Tuesday afternoon.
Great Buddha of Kamakura (1252)
Hiked the hills above the town of Kamakura. Descended into a busy town (today is a public holiday) where we checked out this bronze attraction, the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu), cast in 1252. This Buddha resides in the pure land of perfect bliss, presumably unfazed by the constant flood of Instagram posts by earthly influencers.
“Cycle Around Japan”* Toyama Bay Edition
Rented bicycles and cycled along Toyama Bay on the Sea of Japan, enjoying views of the snow-covered Japan Alps. Stopped at a picnic table in the grounds of this shrine for a picnic lunch. *NHK (Japan’s public broadcaster) series we enjoy.