Out here on my own

Runaway tire, Como Avenue, Minneapolis.

Sporty's

Sporty's Pub & Grill, Como Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

Sunset, 12/22/2017

St. Clair Avenue, looking toward downtown Saint Paul.

You Better Run

Crosby Lake Farm, Saint Paul, MN.

Hey, baby, it’s the Fourth of July

Okay, not really, but it’s never too early to start planning for the next big bang boom.

To the Hills

Duluth, MN.

Industrial Sunset

Duluth, MN.

Wild Berries

Looking toward Central High School, Duluth, MN.

Unsettled

Change in the weather comes rolling into Duluth, MN.

November morning, Como Lake

Saint Paul, MN.

Crisp Smooth Refreshing

Alley in Duluth, Minnesota.

Ghost Bridge

One more shot from Friday’s morning snowstorm in Duluth, MN.

Snowblind by the Sundew

Yeah, things got a little crazy in Duluth yesterday.

Going rogue

Can't find your pants? I might know where they are.

Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum

A bunker. An ice house. An illegal casino during Prohibition. These are just a few of the legends. It’s actually the foundation of an unloading dock built by Harvey Whitney, a local businessman, in 1919. Didn’t quite work out the way Harvey planned.

Taconite Harbor power plant, Schroeder, MN.

Idle since 2016, in an effort to help Minnesota Power reduce its coal-generating capacity.

Bill Bally, won't you come home?

Grand Marais, MN.

Sunset, Crosby Lake Farm

End of the day at Crosby Lake Farm in Saint Paul, MN.

Pump

After my maternal grandfather died, the brothers had this pump installed in the side yard so that my grandmother wouldn’t have to walk all the way to the spring for fresh water. Alverta could be tough as nails–I remember many a cold winter’s day when she’d walk the dirt lane to our house, about a quarter of a mile away and all uphill, steepest at the very end. My dad would beg her to call ahead so that he drive her in the car and save her some steps. She rarely called, and I never heard her complain. The house, as noted in an earlier post, had electricity, but the kitchen stove was a big wood-fired beast; in the winter, heat was provided by a combination of that stove and a coal stove in the living room. Upstairs, where the bedrooms and the scary stuffed animals were–no heat.
Grandma thought that water pump was about the best thing in the world.

Ask For It By Name!

More wandering around my grandparents’ farm. No idea how long this barrel has been sitting there, but at least I couldn’t detect any toxic leakage. Castrol Molub-Alloy gear oils and greases, according to the internets, “offer heavy duty protection for equipment used for heavy and shock load applications.”

Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station

President Lincoln's arrival point in Gettysburg on November 18, 1863. The station was in operation from 1858 to 1942.

Farmhouse

This is the house my maternal grandparents built, sometime around the 1930-1940 era. One of the novelties for me as a kid was hauling water from the spring--indoor plumbing was a luxury item the grandparents couldn’t afford. A late-night walk to the outhouse, about 30-40 yards away, was a major adventure. Bonus points for no electricity to the outhouse, so hope that you remembered to grab a flashlight before heading out.

To my knowledge no one has set foot in the house for years. My mom was one of five siblings--currently the property is maintained by the two surviving brothers. But everyone is getting on in years now; not sure how much longer the land will stay in the hands of the family.

I've been traveling to Gettysburg frequently this past year, helping my parents transition from their house to a retirement community. Occurred to me this most recent trip that I'd better make a priority of visiting the farm, which is just down the hill from my folks' place, so I have some sort of photographic record to pass on.

The Cascades

Was surprised to read that this is considered one of the less popular waterfalls along the Baptism River; my first impression was one of awe. But this was only my first trip into Tettegouche State Park, so no doubt there are plenty more wow moments ahead. Already looking forward to going back.

Alley

Every day is a winding road...or a dark alley.

BRB

Gettysburg, PA.

Bobspotting

Dylan mural and light rail, downtown Minneapolis, MN.

Science vs. Religion

Minnesota State Fair, 2017.

Skyride Blues

Minnesota State Fair, 2017.

Mirror Head

In the Agriculture Horticulture Building, aimed at a mirror, looking back out toward the Space Tower.
Minnesota State Fair, 2017.

Daft Punk is playing at my house/at my house

MN State Fair, 2017.

Mister

Minnesota State Fair, 2017.

WONDERFUL GLORIOUS SPAM®!!!

Finding the sizzle at the Minnesota State Fair.

Blue Moon

Minnesota State Fair.

Hey Sunny

Waiting for the real deal to reappear at the Great Minnesota Get-Together on what looks to be a rainy weekend.

Great Big Wheel

One of the tallest traveling giant Ferris wheels in North America can be found in Falcon Heights, MN (technically not Saint Paul, but let's not fight about it, okay? Okay!) at the Minnesota State Fair.

Sharks

Strolling past the dangerous waters of Candy Kitchen, Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Church

Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN.

(La) Crossing A Line

La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Linked

Near Saint Anthony Main, Minneapolis.

Goldy

University of Minnesota campus, Minneapolis.

Can You Dig, Dig, Dig It?

Digging the action in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Sometimes Things Go Wrong

Houseboat collapse on the Mississippi River, Saint Paul, MN.

Hold It Together

University of Minnesota pedestrian bridge looking toward the Minneapolis skyline.

Step Up

Stairs near Wabasha Street Bridge, Saint Paul, MN.

Welcome to the Machine

Near the Hennepin Island Hydro Generating Station.

Water Spot

Minneapolis skyline, the Mississippi River, and the Third Avenue Bridge.

City in the City

Near Lake Monster Brewing, Saint Paul, MN.

Aster Cafe, 5:00 a.m.

Heard I should show up early to get a spot on the patio, but maybe I went overboard.

The Wrench

Under the Wabasha Street Bridge, Saint Paul, MN.

Wheels

La Crosse, Wisconsin.