Minnehaha Creek comparison

2005


2011


Taken this morning 2011.
The shot are taken at the same location, but from different sides of the creek. No paddle.

Dogs, ducks and New Germany.

The most comfortable creatures at the Pet Expo in New Germany were the ducks. I watched a herding dog give a demonstration, care fully gathering and manuvering a flock of ducks into a small open carrying case. The dog moved with careful, darting moves intended to guide but not alarm the ducks. I was very entertaining and even in the dark, rainy weather, was quite an impressive spectacle. I won a "Blue Cup.
I spoke briefly with a man with 2 Huskies. He had a New Zealander accent, but I have no idea how I reached that conclusion... he might have been an Aussie. He was moving with his Huskies "up north" of Grand Marais to live off the grid for a while. Subsistence, existence.

Out on Friday morning

Minnehaha Creek running high and fast

Minnehaha Creek is high and rushing by the Burwell House in Minnetonka Mills. This lovely, rumbling creek is pouring waters into the Misssippi where it will eventually spread across the expanding plains, bayous and levees of Mississipi and Louisianna. The sparkling song of Hiawatha becomes a durge down South.
The Creek is releasing water from Lake Minnetonka at a rate of 250 cubic feet per second. Faster than recommended for “safe canoeing”.

A little after daybreak

The Steamer Excelsior

The Steamer Excelsior circa 1890: The largest, fastest and safest steamer on Lake Minnetonka. Steamer Captain Taylor (only one name). The official steamer for The Great Northern Railroad and the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad.
Moonlight excursions every night. At Big Island: "1000 Electric Lights and search light making it as light as day."

Cardinal College for the lazy birder.

My apologies for this rough photo of a new phenomenon at our homestead. Directly in front of my picture window we have a cardinal nest. It is occupied and well guarded. But now, to my surprise I have suspicions that our shrubbery hides more than one nest, but another cardinal nest nearby.
I am now a de-facto birder.

Warm weather and sunshine!

I must stop by later in the day to see these out and about Wayzata Bay.

No! Since 1968

Do we still have a Public Service Commission?

No Wake Rules! (Gray's Bay)

This is the first time I have ever seen this on Gray's Bay.

Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon @32 degrees

I arrived late to the Excelsior “George Street Turn” from the trail that signals the final half mile of this half marathon. On the way I was pulled over for an illegal left turn by a local gendarme who gave me a warning. I was polite. I did not see the sign, really. Still, I just missed the lead runners after carefully parking my car.
31 or 32 degrees and a nice 30 mph wind, that provided the runners with a final tail wind. The runners wore winter running regalia with some odd leggings and long black gloves. (I have been away from running too long.)
The runners seemed relaxed, but lacked the exuberance of a final kick brought about by a sunny day.


A lead runner. Dressed for the polar plunge.

The lead woman runner ran passed me at George Street. Cold and concentrating.


Run the urban side of Minnetonka.




Height advantage.