At the Jackson Street Roundhouse

Last Saturday we visited the Jackson Street Roundhouse Transportation museum. Inside the pole barn were a number of engines in the process of being restored. This is an old steam locomotive 2153.

The further away on the grounds from the museum, we found more cool junk to photo-shoot. This colorful SOO LINE box car was sitting in the weeds amongst some rusty barrels. Actually, we really weren't supposed to be here with crossing over the railroad tracks. But with our gray hair and mature appearance, (think Sean Connery), the museum currators and train engineers left us alone.
However, one engineer came up to us to talk about photography in general. We ended up on a short train ride which was a hoot. This gray hair is golden! If we had been in our youth, I am sure they would have yelled at us and kicked us off the grounds.

Staired Platform

Stairway to down to the Mississippi River under the Stone Arch Bridge.

Two Things Challenge - Foot / Step

OSHA Yellow
This is a bit of a stretch for this week's Two Things Challenge of Foot / Step. Here we see steps circling one of the stacks located near the Stone Arch Bridge. You need a keen for to traverse these steps. See, I told you this was a bit of a stretch.

Difficult Decisions

Spring is near, and the new models are out ready for sale at Trailhead cycle and Fitness. I purchased a new bicycle last summer, but it's always fun to browse around in a bicycle shop.

Witchcraft

Last July in the North Metro, the Blaine Airport hosted a vintage airshow. This is a B24 Liberator from WW II.

Mississippi Archway

The Stone Arch Bridge

Standing on the banks of the Mississippi River looking across river and into downtown Minneapolis. This was taken from the location I shown you yesterday featuring that "urban art" that typically ruins our urban scenery. The beautiful morning was short lived as within 15 minutes of taking this photo, the mist and fog rolled in.
I have shown you this spot before except at night, Mississippi Coloringbook

A plaque on the Stone Arch Bridge.

Urban Art

This structure is found at the base of the Stone Arch Bridge. No idea what it was used for in the past, but now a hangout close to the Mississippi River. Note the urban artform.

Rusty Crap

Number 19
Last week, Mitch and I wandered around the Father Hennepin Bluffs Park area in Minneapolis. What a delight to find these treasures. Or, as I like to call them, "rusty crap". I was on a mission to find items to fit this bill and was not disappointed.

The weakest link
I do not quite understand this chain. Such heavy links, yet a weak link connector. I wonder what happened in the chain forging facility. Was this made late on a Friday or early on a Monday? Check Mitchster's post for his version of rusty crap, it's beautiful.
"You are the weakest link, goodbye". Does anyone remember the game show where this quote was made famous? First one to guess gets the virtual rusty crap award.

Basilica of St. Mary

The Basilica of St. Mary on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis was built between 1907 and 1912. It is the first Basilica in the United States and dedicated in 1926 by Pope Pius XI. For more information, visit the Basilica of St. Mary.

Ready to Ride

High Anxiety
I am anxious. Anxious for warmer weather. Anxious for my first springtime ride of the season without the blasted snow and ice. Yes, many people do ride their bikes throughout winter. Not me, though. I'm a bit wiser in my older age, now. And it hurts more when falling. Maybe in in the next couple of weeks I shall ride. Ride like the wind, free and clear, wind billowing through whats left of my hair!

Morning Stroll

Weekday mornings are great to take a walk. You have the Stone Arch B nearly all yourself except for a couple passing by.
Strange weather, 15 minutes prior, we had blue skies. Then the fog rolled in.

Smile for the Camera

We easily made friends with the Canadian Geese swimming under the arches of the stone arch bridge. Especially while standing on the icy edge of the Mississippi River.

Open Gate

The steps need a bit of shoveling.

Buried in Snow

Chained

Adrift in Snow

Danger?

It appears Just Roaming the Cities and I had the same thought after the three of us crossed this pond.

Two Things Challenge - Window / View

Beware the ides of March.

Window / View is this week's 2 Things Challenge. Searching my archives, I came across this image taken last summer. A different approach to window and view. This is the inside of a B17 - G model previously seen here and here.

A little bit of history from Wikipedia:

The Nine-O-Nine, a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber of the 323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, completed 140 combat missions during World War II, believed to be the Eighth Air Force record for most missions, and never lost a crewman as a casualty. The most widely recognized and revered aircraft type of World War II, the B-17 Flying Fortress, takes to the skies again. The B-17G (Serial # 44-83575) has been returned to its wartime configuration under the auspices of the nonprofit Collings Foundation of Stow, MA and given the name "Nine-O-Nine".

The Collings Flying Fortress was built at Long Beach, CA by the Douglas Aircraft Company and accepted on April 7, 1945. Although she was too late for combat, #44-83575 did serve as part of the Air/Sea 1st Rescue Squadron and later in the Military Air Transport Service.

In April 1952, #44-83575 was instrumented and subjected to the effects of three different nuclear explosions. After a thirteen-year "cool down" period, #44-83575 was sold as part of an 800-ton scrap pile and Aircraft Specialties Company began the restoration of the aircraft.

Nose art for Nine O Nine #4231909

Mississippi Spillway

The Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls.

Emergency Use Only

Lake Calhoun beach. Obviously this is for summer use. Or winter use in case someone breaks through the ice?

Peddles

Lake Calhoun peddleboat. Snapshutter and Just Roaming the Cities and I enjoyed an impromptu photo walkabout. A bit chilly, but it was good to get out of the house and walk around enjoying the sun's warmth.

La Dolce Vita

Torta di Ricotta

Living up here in the great white north has its moments. Winter is one of those moments where it seems to linger on far too long. Cabin fever sets in end of February, followed by spring fever and the inevitable March blizzard. Only to be followed by another winter storm sometime in April.
As I have pointed out, I'm afflicted with cabin/spring fever. For the remedy, I decided I needed to bake a cheese cake. So I did with ricotta cheese, cinnamon, candied fruit, and zest from two blood oranges. Another great recipe from my Buca di Beppo cookbook.

Coon Rapids Dam

The Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River just north of Minneapolis. A park on both sides of the river easily accessible by the walking platform on top of the dam.

You are here in the city of Brooklyn Park, just north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city of Coon Rapids is across the Mississippi River.

Snowbound in Uptown

Winter is tough on bicycles, especially when ridden all year long.

Two Things Challenge - Stripes / Stars

Stripes and Stars is the theme for this week's 2 Things Challenge. A star with plenty of stripes. What is this you ask? This is my electronic dart board, I zoomed in while taking the image.
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Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 0.6
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 400
Focal Length 85.0 mm - 17.0mm

Iron Lace

Eiffel Tower in lacey elegance

Caged from the Mississippi

Feeling caged and trapped on top of Coon Rapids Dam over the Mississippi River.

LUND

The old Lund and Alumacraft
Boats waiting for spring at Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis.

Cascade

A curtain of water spills over the Coon Rapids Dam.

Want a Harley?

I never knew Harley Davidson made bicycles.

Bike Shop

Spring fever has set in, go visit your neighborhood bicycle shop. Here in the North Metro, we have Traihead Cycling and Fitness . They have a wide variety and selection of bicycles to choose from. Better yet, they have riding events. Just meet up at their door for scheduled events, and your off on a group cycle ride. Stop in and test ride a model. We are still in the winter season, it is best to ride with studded tired on the snow and ice.

Two Things Challenge - Shadows / Patterns

Canoes under a blanket of snow at Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis.
This week's challenge is shadows and patterns. Fresh snow makes for an interesting contrast.