Minneapolis Falls Park

Flat light makes for an uninteresting shot but I thought it was interesting to think that this is what you would find below most US cities. These are modern ruins from the age of water power off of the Mississippi River running just outside of the modern Minneapolis downtown in what is called Falls Park.

Boston Flag Row

Its good that I look for repeating patterns as well as colorful flag displays when traveling so I have something to post on national holidays. This flag display is from a trip to Boston back in 2014. Happy Memorial Day.

Minneapolis and Grain Belt Beer

A local beer that has seen its ups and downs over the years but still brewed for the Minnesota market. (although I think the production has moved to LaCrosse Wisconsin). I wasn't aware that it was still available so I can't say (yet) that I have had a taste. One thing is for certain, you can't miss the sign driving over the Mississippi River at the edge of the downtown area.

Bob Dylan and Minneapolis

I round a corner in downtown Minneapolis and bang! there is a triplet of Bob Dylan on a 5 story building. Is Bob Dylan from Minneapolis? I thought they loved Prince? Bob does have a small connection to the city. He was born in Duluth, attend (for a short time) the University of Minnesota and recorded an album there. and once owned a theater. So, some connection. Turns out Goldman Sacs paid $50,000 for the painting to keep Minnesota cool. Maybe next time they will put Prince up there.

Five Leinie's in a Row

You never know where you will find color....and taste. These were 5 of the 13 taps Michael Junior and I tried at the Leinenkugel's Brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. We each bought the 5 taps for $5 and when the bartender saw that we had 10 of the 13 taps, she threw in the other 3. I liked the sweeter, less hoppy beers. Michael liked them dark. If you ever drive up that way, you have to stop in and give them a try.

Jefferson and Washington Monuments

Sometimes all you get is monuments on the run. Was able to see the Jefferson and Washington Monuments just through the car window. Its not all play on the road....sometimes I actually have to work!!!

Mayflower has landed in Wash DC

Couldn't stay there since I was getting a room rate of over $2,500 a night but the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC was quite the venue for a meeting I attended. Wow. Quite nice and not far from the White House and other tourist attractions in Washington.

Washington Nationals Pole to Pole

Another in the ballparks pole-to-pole series. Finally got to Washington National's Ballpark in Washington DC. Nice stadium with lots of construction around the outside. I have another shot that gets both poles in the picture but I like this shot better.

Chicken on the Bone in New Orleans

I always asked how I survive the travel. You have to get out of the hotel and walk around. Of course, New Orleans that's easy. But you have to do it no matter where you land. Found 6 old guys having fun in New Orleans (5 on stage and me) listening (or playing) music. With all that color on stage, had to take a shot.

New Orleans Happy Accident

Not a perfect shot but I like this blurry catch of a red Corvette driving through the French Quarter. I think I was trying to catch the driver who might have been wearing a fancy outfit but I knew I would like this blurry shot of the car as soon as I took it. Sometimes you don't need to have everything perfect.

New Orlean's Street Scene at dusk

Quite a crowd wandering the streets in New Orleans with all kinds of strange wonders beckoning.

New Orlean's Pat Obrien's

Huge line out of Pat O'brien's last Sunday evening in New Orlean's. Not sure why. The Hurricanes they serve are horrible, unless you like cough medicine. Not to my taste. But I hear the menu is good. Maybe next time. Line is a half block long!!!

Four Last Falls

Hiking above Multnomah Falls over to the beautiful Wahkeena Falls (the vertical shot above) was a wonderful experience and I look forward to doing it again. But I need to train better to survive the hike.

The Forest and the Trees

Not much to say here. Just beautiful, dense forest with an arms race to get to the top first so you can get some sum.

Multnomah Falls Hike

About a mile up hill to the top of Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is this mile uphill hike to see three beautiful waterfalls on top of the Gorge. Tough, tough hike (called moderate in the guide) but this is what you get. Beautiful, breathe taking views in the forest. This is a bit of a dreamy, a bit of a sharp take on the area, matching what I felt when I was up there.

Four Wonderful Moms

Happy Mother's Day to four of the best moms on the planet.

Columbia River Gorge in blue

Recent Shot of the Day posts were uphill from this location and were very green. I felt the blog needed some wonderful blue today. This view is from Vista Point, which at Saturday at 8am was devoid of tourists. By 9 or 9:30 the place will be packed. But what a view. Only a half hour out of Portland. This is my new favorite place to visit--especially as Michael lives there but also because there is so much outdoors to see and do. Can't wait to try to tackle some Mount Hood shots.

Third Falls in Order--and one of the best

Third up driving out of Portland has the well deserved reputation of one of the most beautiful waterfall in the United States. Certainly, Niagara Falls has to be number one, but this one has to rank near the top, not in flow, but in shear beauty. The bridge over the gorge doesn't seem to distract and gives a very, very long hike to the top where the view isn't as good. To top this off, it is right off the highway so no hiking required. Too easy to get to but an amazing view nevertheless. Michael Jr visited it a month prior and saw the flow about twice as strong. Still, amazing.

Bridal Veil Falls--Second in the line

The second falls down the line coming from Portland is the nicely named Bridal Veil Falls. Just a short hike down (and a longer climb back up) to see this cascade falls. I left the tourist in again to give a sense of scale. Fun, powerful water flow.

Portland Latourell Falls

Normally, I would like to get other tourists out of the picture. This time I think they help with the sense of scale, although you don't get a sense of the power of the water as it hits the base. I can't believe anyone would go under this flow and survive if it is coming at full flow. This is the first falls that you come to driving out of Portland along the Columbia River Gorge. I have a guide book with over 100 falls and hikes in the area. Latourell Falls is easy to get to and warms you up for even better falls to come.

I'm Ready for my Close-up

Beautiful view of Mount Hood with Mount Jefferson in the background. Thanks to Alaska Airline for giving me such a close up view!!!

Three Mountains (or is it 5?) in the Cascades

Lucky to pick up a window seat on a puddle jumper from Spokane to Portland last week and got this view out the window. Pretty cool. Might be my shot of the year. Mount Hood in the foreground. I think that is Mount Jefferson behind it and way back in the distance to the left looks like the Three Sisters as there are three separate peaks back there. So, this is either three mountains or five, depending on how you count them, I guess. Just wonderful views in the evening light.