Minnesota State Capital
Minnesota is a mid-western, U.S. state that borders Canada and Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Minnesota is aptly nicknamed, "The Land of 10,000 Lakes," because in addition to Lake Superior, there are a total of 11,841 lakes in the state. (Here's a fun fact that links California and Minnesota: the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team is named the "Lakers" because they are originally from Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes.)
This California girl (and Lakers fan), set out to discover as much of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota as possible during a summer road trip through the Midwest. In this post, I'll share about my time in the Twin Cities, where I saw lakes, parks, a celebrity home, a bridge and a concert that brought tears to my eyes.
Lakes and Parks
Bde Maka Ska
The facts, as they pertain to the profusion of lakes in the state, don't lie. Everywhere I turned during my trip, I seemed to pass multiple lakes. The first was Bde Maka Ska, the largest lake in the city of Minneapolis.
Loring Park
In Loring Park, I discovered a much smaller lake, surrounded by native wetlands.
Lake of the Isles
I also visited Lake of the Isles in the Kenwood neighborhood. The park in which it is located is famous for its two wooded islands.
Cedar Lake Park
One of the lesser frequented lakes I visited was Cedar Lake, located in Cedar Lake Park.
It was one of my favorite lake because of its seclusion, as well as the gorgeous forest that is part of the surrounding park.
Minnehaha Park
Though it does not have a lake, Minnehaha Park is a must visit. The park has a lovely creek, ample trees, grass, walking paths, and my favorite feature ...
... a waterfall. Minnehaha is a 53-foot waterfall that descends from a limestone bluff. The waterfall is fed by both the Minnehaha Creek, as well as the Mississippi River. The waterfall is an impressive sight to behold, and a surprising one as well, given its location in the middle of a busy city.
Spoonbridge and Cherry Fountain by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen
One park I was told not to miss is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, an 11-acre park filled with public art and plenty of green space. Below are some of the public art pieces I saw while I was there.
Okciyapi (Help Eachother)
Okciyapi is a piece created by Angela Two Stars. The rings you see are based on patterns of rippling water that symbolize the relationships between individuals and communities.
Hanh/Cock
This is Hanh/Cock, Katharina Fritsch's rooster sculpture named using a play on words. The rooster symbolizes pride, power and courage, as well as posturing.
For Whom ...
"For Whom ..." is the clever title of this piece featuring a bell, and making subtle, or not so subtle, reference to one of my favorite books by Ernest Hemingway, "For Whom the Bell Tolls." The bell was originally created for a church in Germany, but was discarded because it did not produce the proper tone. It now resides in Sculpture Park and sways ever hour, but does not make a sound.
After Dream
In contrast, Pierre Huyghe's "After Dream" is composed of chimes that contain every note of a score by composer John Cage. The notes sound when the wind blows and activates the chimes that dangle from the tree's branches.
Arikidea
Mark di Suvero designed this sculpture out of gigantic steel beams. So delicately hung are they however, that the gentlest breeze will cause the elements to sway.
Black Vessel for a Saint
Theaster Gates created this 20-foot tempietto, or Renaissance temple, out of materials leftover from the brick making process.
X With Columns
X With Columns was created by Sol LeWitt using cinderblocks and concrete. There are many more sculptures in the garden and many of the art pieces change with the seasons. The park is definitely worth a visit, if you get the chance.
Homes
F. Scott Fitzgerald Home
While visiting Minnesota, I learned that quite a few famous people hail from the state including Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Jesse Ventura and Prince (more on him in an upcoming post). F. Scott Fitzgerald, an author I enjoy, is also from Minnesota. While there, I was able to visit his home, a designated National Historic Landmark.
Fitzgeralad is best known for his novel, The Great Gatsby, which I really like. That said, I was always drawn most by his fourth and final novel, Tender is the Night, which tells the story of a psychiatrist who marries his patient. The novel intrigued me because of its semi-autobiographical nature, as Fitzgerald's wife Zelda (also an author) sadly had struggles with mental illness.
Bridges
Stone Arch Bridge
One of the most iconic landmarks in Minneapolis is the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge that crosses the Mississippi River. Composed of native limestone and granite, the Stone Arch Bridge is both a National Civil Engineering Landmark and the only bridge on the Mississippi River composed of stone.
Leopold's Mississippi Gardens
The last of my site seeing adventures was a trip to Leopold's Mississippi Gardens, an event center located on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River.
The event for which I came was a candlelight concert and tribute to Aretha Franklin. In addition to her most famous songs, the concert also featured music by other artists who were contemporaries of Ms. Franklin.
The venue's stunning location was enhanced by the candlelight and the talented musicians and vocalist.
The evening ended with "Sweet Thing," a song originally performed by Rufus, with vocals by band member, Chaka Khan, an artist who was greatly influenced by Aretha Franklin. In 2018, Chaka Khan gave a moving performance of the gospel song "Going Up Yonder" at Aretha Franklin's funeral.
That concludes my site seeing tour of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Next, I'll share the many great restaurants I visited in Minnesota's Twin Cities. See you soon.
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