Being a Longfellow Community resident, I’m running out of streets near my home in my Run Minneapolis project due to convenience. However, there were two nearby in need of attention last night: 45th & 42nd Aves.
I was joined by Carly, Meg, and Carolyn, (actually, it was me joining them) as they ran down to Lock & Dam #1 for a hill workout. Back in Jr. High, I had a teacher who tried to tell me class that the Mississippi was a highly navigable river with only a handful of locks on it. While navigable, it didn’t seem plausible to me that it only had a handful of locks over the entire length of it, and I mentioned this over dinner to my parents. They suggested I call the Lock operator at Lock & Dam No. 1. This would have been in around 1987, so back in pre-Wikipedia where answers weren’t a handful of seconds away. I got out a . . . phone book . . . found the number, and called them to confirm that there were, indeed, more than a handful of locks (29). I brought to the attention of my teacher the next day, and was not thanked for enlightening her.
I did one trip up the hill to check that off then wrapped up through Wabun Park past the disc golf course.
Heading South, I arrived at the Minnesota Veterans Home.
I’ve been past the main entrance to the Minnesota Veterans Home quite a few times before, but didn’t realize how many buildings were behind that. My camera couldn’t do justice to the architecture in the dark, but I encourage you do walk or drive through the campus to check it out.
After touring the campus, I connected back with Carly, Meg, and Carolyn to head back North on 42nd Ave S where we passed Parkway Pizza.
Followed by Reidy’s Market, where I pick up Fresca since SA doesn’t carry any 12-packs of non-caffeinated diet pop.
At 38th St, we passed Riverview Theater, but didn’t stop for some take-out popcorn this time.
Followed by the Riverview Cafe and Riverview Wine Bar.
I’m pretty sure Riverstone Salon Spa at 34th St was first a grocery store. It’s a great spot to stop in for a cut with a glass of wine.
At 42nd Ave S & E Lake St, Northwest Graphic Supply Company hooks up people with screen printing supplies and other graphics goodies. This building started as a car dealership, as you can probably imagine.
After reaching the end of 42nd, I turned back on 41st Ave S which took me past the now-closed Taco Bell on Lake St. What do you think this will turn into next?
And, at Lake & 45th, a retro Greyhound recently showed up at Hiawatha-Lake Auto Upholstery. Did that bus get its start in Hibbing?
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I still can’t believe that the Taco Bell closed. I thought I personally kept it open and making a profit. This is a very sad day.
Ed, you ran right in front of my house at 41st. Ave. and 28th Street!
Say, do you have a master map that shows all of your runs? It would be great to see the complete picture. Thanks for your blog.
Scott, I’ve been highlighting the streets on a paper map to keep track of what I’ve done. Very analog of me, but it seems to do the trick. I’ll load a picture of that.