Magenta and Saffron - Gray's Bay in the morning.

Magenta: "1860, in allusion to the Battle of Magenta, in Italy, where the French and Sardinians defeated the Austrians in 1859, because the brilliant crimson aniline dye was discovered shortly after the battle, which advanced the cause of Italian independence and fired the imagination of European liberals."

Saffron:
Word History
Date of Origin 13th c.
Saffron brought its name with it along the spice route from the Middle East. It comes from Arabic za‘farān, a word of unknown origin, and reached English via medieval Latin safranum and Old French safran. The town of Saffron Walden in Essex is so named from its once thriving saffron-growing industry.

On-line Etymology

Dinkytown remnant

Leipolds letter to the past

I stopped in to Leipolds in Excelsior to visit the dogs and cats that wander through the isles of the shop. Taking care not to step in a water dish, I rummaged through Excelsior and Lake Minnetonka past and present.









I bought an Apple Day button.

Good nite Irene

OK this is was morning shot. Who cares? No hurricanes here.

Tomorrow - scenes from Leipolds.

Morning Glory Gray's Bay

The 904. From a 1950s Minnesoata State Fair

I am posting this as a tribute to the old Minnesota State Fairs. I am probably not going, it is my avoidance syndrome. Crowds, flash mobs, deep fried stick on a stick, jokes about things on a stick, parking. Alaskan pricing. I am a curmudgeon.

Back to School in Excelsior

The Cornerstone of Excelsior Academy was laid on Wednesday, May 27th 1885. in the presence of seven or eigth hundred people" - The Northwest Tourist



From: "100 years in Excesior" by Daisy Dillman
1953

Strafed on a Monday morning

They came straight at me flying in a low formation. I got one shot (digital) off, then hit the deck.

Stone Arch Road

I turned down a road I have never driven down, but I have passed almost daily for twenty years. It is a one way. On it I discovered the old Stone Arch, Woodland.
This is a historic structure for Woodland, but I know very little of it’s history. There is a much larger and impressive stone arch, once a double stone arch, in Northhome, Deephaven. They are not far apart...

Cub 101

This very successful fund raising Coca-Cola/barbeque stand is a hit with almost every pork lover. Hot dogs 1 buck.
I took the photo at a distance with my little pocket camera. I get a little squeemish ever since the Minnetonka Police Department caught me in a speed trap about 4 years ago, about a half mile from Cub on 101. I was guilty, along with about a hundred other drivers. The next week they raised the posted limit from 30 to 40mph. But frankly, I deserved it..... to the tune of 100 bucks.

Green/Red

The Promenade

"Wayzata is known as the Gateway to Lake Minnetonka that people love for its village feel and distinctive shopping and dining, and we feel both the design and Promenade name reinforce what makes Wayzata such a special community. Though the pronunciation is different, the name for the senior housing project was inspired by the seaside village of Folkestone in England. There, Folkestone is a thriving resort area known for its broad promenades, prominent green spaces and breathtaking views.”

- Wayzata Bay Redevelopement Company press release, January, 2011



The only contemporary time I have heard the word "promenade" used consistently (and incessantly) was in the television series 7th Heaven. It was an episodic meeting place where the 7th Heaven extended family met for subterfuge and clandestine romantic trists with 2nd, 3rd and 4th cousins.

Signs of the times

The "Muni" in Wayzata

Tour De Tonka - the tiny ride

On Saturday morning it was dfficult to find a place the lake around that wasn’t part of the many different venues and distances. I did not ride this year, but I did see waves of bicyclists moving around Lake Minnetonka.

I stopped at a corner in Excelsior and watched as a few riders past on one of the shorter routes. The volunteer shouted, continue left, or go to the rest stop right. His lure was "fresh dounut holes!" at the stop.

Carson's Bay Panorma - early morning, early August

And finally:

2 Fishing boats @ Deephaven Docks

I heard a rumbling at the Wayzata Depot.

I stopped in to Wayzata to check the location of a new bicycle repair and coffee shop, near the start of the Dakota Trail. It was early and I thought “Not much of a photo without any bicycles or latte drinkers”.
Suddenly, as I stood there casually, the crossing gates by the railroad track swung down, and the lights began flashing. Warnings sounded. Within 10 seconds a freight train rumbled by within arms reach.