RIP Donald

Sometimes I find the weirdest things on my trash walks. RIP Donald. Cause of death unknown.  Perhaps if I could have looked at the contents of its stomach I would find that it had consumed too many cigarettes and plastic debris. I left the remains and marker along the beach where I found it just north of the Plymouth Bridge just in case folks want to bring flowers and cards.

Last week I participated in an educational event for elementary school kids called Big River Journey.  About 125 fifth graders boarded one of the Johnathan Padelford River Boats at Harriet Island (in St. Paul) in the morning and from there we traveled up the Mississippi River to Snelling State Park landing at Steamboat Point, the same place that boats would have landed in the 1800's.  The kids could choose to participate in three of the six learning stations available as we cruised the river.  They could learn about river otters, look for eagles, learn about the disappearing waterfalls of the river, look at river invertebrates under microscopes, visit with the boat captain....or they could come to my station called CSI.  That stands for Crime Scene Investigation. Our training was provided by folks from Project WET (water education training) through the DNR. After a brief explanation of the sewer system, the storm drain system, and watersheds the kids were divided up into smaller groups where they were given a bag of litter that had been found in the river.

 After selecting one item they discussed what it was, how does it harm the environment, and how can it be prevented.  Of course, the kids were all interested in how litter harms birds and animals that live in the river. Perhaps Donald died from toxic litter like paint chips or lead casings or really moldy food left by someone taking a lunch time break from work.  Donald may have consumed something that eventually blocked the passage of good food and died from starvation.  What if it was a piece of glass that he tried to swallow. Stupid duck, don't you know you can't eat glass!

We dropped the kids off at Snelling State Park where they had more fun activities to do with Park Rangers. We picked up another 125 kids and headed back toward St. Paul.  Repeat the same activities and dock at 2pm.  Clean up our stations, catch a bus back to Minneapolis, have a nap, have a glass of wine, repeat same activity in the fall.

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.

Sewers, storm drains and underground Minneapolis

This is how one of the many storm drains in downtown looked several weeks ago when I snapped this photo. It's probably gone now after the rain we just had.  Gone down somewhere into one of our mysterious underground sewer and storm drain systems.  I prefer to stay right up on top of the city streets but there is a whole world underneath us in the city.  For an interesting but claustrophobic read I recommend this:
                                   http://www.gregbrick.org/schieks_cave

Yikes!