Road Race July 4th Excelsior.

Expect delays. This one I am going to watchand post photos on this site. I am in running condition, but I think I will sit this one out. My plans are for another race later this year and hopefully set a decent base time.

Come back for more running photos....

Minnehaha Creek with the rising sun

Out into Excelsior Bay!

Make a run for it!

As seen on Water Street.

Stella Towers over Minnetonka

I noticed a Frank Stella painting had been reproduced on the water tower behind Famous Daves. I was curious, I wondered why. The answer was on the Minnetonka web site. This is [art of a public project to promote the 100 Anniversary of the Minneapolis Art Institute. There are other similar towers around the Twin Cities. I remember my first viewings of Stella art in the 70s. He was often popular for his very decorative patterns shapes and colors which had mass appeal. He was criticized for the same reasons. Still he pushed the edges of painting and sculpture a bit, but not too much. Then in later 70s he broke out with some very dynamic 3 dimensional pieces.

Glimpses of Art on the Lake

Art On the Lake this weeK end

My magic clown ring will working this weekend, as I head down to "Art On the Lake"in the Commons. I hope to get photos of some of the art and festivities to post on Monday. I am looking for my choice of 1. My best of show, 2. Best pet, and of course; 3. Most lakeworthy.

Lake Minnetonka Steamer Poster in window....

The State High School Track Meet At The Hamline University Track

Balmy weather created the perfect atmosphere. The stadium was jam packed, to the point that I had to sit in a remote section of bleachers on the first turn. Spectators crowded the railings to watch the Class AA Championship Boys and Girls Meet, which ran till 1pm. I did not stay for the A. Wayzata won the team Boys AA Championship. I won’t attempt to detail the names of the winners, and their times. Many Girls records fell as the meet events transpired. The meet was very well planned. The crowd was teaming with current or previous track runners, easily identified by their t-shirts and running shoes. A young woman behind me was very knowlegable and knew the record times and distances inside out. My little purple 15 dollar Casio did not score any points for precision. Or was it me?

Similarly, I need a better camera if I need to zoom in on these gazelle movements and expect reasonable results. All my blurry photos were shot at a distance.

A gift on Christmas Lake @ 6:02am

Each day must be earned a minute at a time.

Running notes:

Minnetonka High School will be attempting to repeat as state champions in Track & Field this weekend at the State Meet at the Hamline University Track. I will be attending with a fellow Track And Field Alumnus- from South Saint Paul. Still, I will be rooting for Minnetonka. I hope to have a few photos to show on Monday.

Deephaven Beach 6-4-15

67 degrees and calm. A sailboat sat windless in the bay. A few kids were fishing on the docks.

Vandalism of a new Memorial at the Excelsior Commons

The memorial to Debbie Hart has suffered vandalism. I noticed this weekend while wandering.

Snapper!

From the Minnesota DNR: The common snapping turtle is Minnesota's largest turtle. As an adult, its upper shell (carapace) averages (8-14 in.) in length and its weight ranges from 10-35 lbs. The largest known Minnesota individual weighed 29.5 kg (65 lbs.) and had a carapace that was 49.5 cm (19.5 in.) long. The common snapping turtle's carapace is variably colored from green to brown to black, and often has moss covering it. In young turtles, raised crests form three longitudinal keels along the carapace. These crests gradually disappear as the turtles mature. The back edge of the carapace in all sized turtles is strongly toothed. The lower shell (plastron) is considerably reduced in size relative to the upper shell, and provides little protection for the turtle. Common snapping turtles have a long tail with a series of raised scales along the top that create sawtooth projections. Their head is large, with large, powerful jaws, and their neck is long. The common snapping turtle is usually docile in the water, but can be aggressive when it is on land, often lunging forward and striking out to "snap" at its foe.