Microblog

Our descent in a de Havilland Dash 8 into Blenheim BHE, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, took us over part of the Queen Charlotte Track. Tomorrow we start a multi-day tramp along that track.

Boarded Air New Zealand 7, SFO to AKL and summer

With temperatures sinking below zero Fahrenheit, I was happy to stay inside, enjoy friends, and eat too much.

Walked around a quiet Downtown looking for utility boxes featuring photos by Minneapolis youth, Picturing Peace.

Walked over to our local, Maxwell’s, for a quiet late lunch of burgers and beer.

Popped into the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota to see a purple Prince-themed bicycle made locally by bike maker, Erik Noren, for the great-great-granddaughter of the bike pioneer, Ignaz Schwinn.

Watched a 747-400 make this low pass then a farewell lap at MSP before landing, the end of 747 passenger operations by any American airline. I have fond memories of Northwest Orient’s “wide cabins in the sky” taking us from MSP to Tokyo Narita and points beyond.

Walked around Downtown in search of mid-century modern. Found a trove at Rosenthal, a store that has been hiding in plain sight in the same building for 122 years.

Explored St. Paul’s City Hall and County Courthouse Art Deco building. The lobby is a war memorial. At the base of the huge statue, Vision of Peace, five Native Americans are depicted smoking a peace pipe.

Posted Boots over New Zealand.

Minnesota Vikings fans walked past a naked-dancing-couple sculpture while I walked home with two chicken thighs from Whole Foods in my backpack.

Family pictures were taken.

Spent much of the day converting these ingredients into scalloped potatoes and braised celery to take to a family gathering. The biggest task was de-stringing four bunches of celery.

Took a city bus to 40 blocks north of Downtown, then meandered back.

Walked to a library in a neighborhood where Native Americans and New Americans live.

Wandered through the former downtown Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank building where I once banked. Today it’s a Westin.