Side trip inside the storm drain

Oh no he didn't!

Before I get to the storm drain, I'll start at the beginning.  We took the light rail from the government station downtown Minneapolis to the 46th Street stop and walked to the sign that says "You are Here" in Minnehaha Park.  It was too early for lunch otherwise I would have stopped at Sea Salt in the Park and had some peel and eat shrimp and a beer.

                                    The West River Parkway has great bike and pedestrian paths.

                 But if you want to be closer to nature you should take the more rugged 2.5 mile Winchell Trail.

You'll get some great views of the Mississippi River Gorge.  What's that little cave over there?

 I didn't pick up any trash today even though I saw a few things along the trail.  This was my day off and I didn't bring a bag.  I saw a few styrofoam cups floating down river (probably from downtown) and the usual small items like candy wrappers and Swisher cigar wrappers.

                     I don't know if this beach has a name. That's the Lake Street Bridge in the distance.

                               
                                 And finally we arrive at that storm drain.

                                    

 
 

Ok, that's far enough buddy!

Get me out of here!

                            

If you continue walking along the river you come to the University of St. Thomas Rowing facility.  We took the path that leads up to the top of the Lake Street Bridge. The graffiti on the bridge does nothing to add to the beauty of the river so it really doesn't belong there.  Tough time getting it off of there though.  Time for a walking break and a little lunch at the Longfellow Grill. Yum.  The veggie sandwich with pickled red onions is fantastic.

Back out on our walk.  The view of the Mississippi from the Short Line Bridge.

Back down to the Winchell Trail and a little more nature before returning to the city.  The trail comes up again at Franklin Avenue.  From there it's a short walk to the west bank of the U of M.  One could continue walking into downtown, but instead we saw this and drove it home.