But I really like the route that Laura taught me several years ago (which may originally be Shannon's route, since it goes past what I know is his grandparents' current residence, the municipal cemetery 💜).
Anyhow, I had my snack on the pedestrian bridge by the Exchange and read some of the educational placards. I knew there were tons of stockyards and "processing" and shipping (railroad) facilities there along the river in the late 1800s through about the 1930s. (My BBF Matt and I used to explore this area, by bike obviously.) I didn't realize that they still had these industrial buildings in the mid-1960s. It was reported that in 1964 the Mississippi River was full of bloated animal carcasses and quite disgusting, especially after the City of Hastings, downriver, built a dam. Someday I'll have up read each placard.
I used what has to be THE CLEANEST port-a-potty in the Midwest and continued on my way. Instead of riding along the river the whole way back toward Mpls, I rode up the bluff via Ohio Street, to the top of the High Bridge, through Cherokee Park (is it still called that?), and down the hill to Mendota and up to the Fort.
It was a fun ride.
A couple of weeks ago, my friend Kim (who also cuts my hair, you should go too!) gave me an old iPad Shuffle from her daughter Isla, to add to my collection. (I'll take yours!) It came with the usual disclaimer (this is the 4th one donated to me): "I have no idea what is on it." Well, her songs were fine, but there were only about 10 songs, so after I hit the 5 mile mark, I was steadily in repeat land until I put my own, old Shuffle back on at about mile 15. Alas. It will be great for 5 miles of errands!
I hope I'm slowly but surely getting into shape, but at least am enjoying myself.
I got little sleep last night because I saw the play Sleuth. It was great! Tonight I will sleep well.
