Microblog

Closed on our apartment, started filling the empty space.

Peered through windows of the 1848 Ard Godfrey House, the oldest surviving frame structure in Minnesota. It’s open to visitors in the summer.

Posted Underneath the Arches.

Wandered through open doors at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel. The hotel has recently opened this lovely event space in the former rail shed of the Milwaukee Road Depot. The chimneys vented smoke from steam locomotives.

Climbed over a barrier, then walked down rickety wooden stairs, avoiding gaps where boards had been. Looked up at Stone Arch Bridge.

Failed to find Paisley the Porcupine at our local Trader Joe’s. I did find organic broccoli and decent Marlborough wine.

Walked with a friend through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on our way to ice creams at Sebastian Joe’s.

Posted Edging Toward a Minimalist Wardrobe. (I’m not there yet.)

Ran out of things to put in boxes. We don’t start moving our home until next week. Meanwhile we need stuff for daily living.

Stared at traces of the past while I sipped coffee at Mill City Museum’s café.

Until today, I had never explored this tunnel running under downtown Minneapolis for several blocks. I now know where to go if my senses need to be deprived. I plan never to walk through another tunnel which connects the county jail to the courthouse.

I had never walked down to the Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam until today. This facility is a few hundred yards from our home, but is somewhat hidden, and reached by a circuitous path.

Used a crowdsourced map to find this spot, identified as “Machine Gun Nest.” It’s actually an abutment of the former Washington Avenue Bridge. I’m looking at today’s double-deck Washington Avenue Bridge which connects University of Minnesota campuses across the Mississippi from one another.

Posted Lake of the Isles: Always Something New.

Paused preparations for our upcoming home move to seek comfort (food) at our local Japanese restaurant, Zen Box Izakaya: tonkotsu ramen. NHK (Japanese television) was showing a segment about cleaning airport toilets. “It’s good to think of others,” declared one of the cleaners.

Walked with a friend through the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota and surrounding neighborhoods. Found this original settlers’ home and windpump on the edge of the State Fairgrounds.