From Woodbury

New Richmond Crossing

2010-04-30T09:02:00.002-05:00

Toil Then Pray

2010-04-29T08:49:00.002-05:00

Colored Canopy

2009-10-06T22:40:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year again. I used to think this was my favorite time of year. I still love walking through the woods and crunching leaves, but I can't take anything away from the best days of winter, spring or summer either. Every season has some great days. I'll post fall colors all this week.

Working On A Bubble

2009-10-01T13:00:00.001-05:00

From the ground it looked like the workers on the watertower would just tumble right off.

Bayport History

2009-09-29T12:44:00.001-05:00

Historic filling station on a Bayport sidestreet.

Arches on an Angle

2009-09-25T16:34:00.001-05:00

Downtown Stillwater has some steep streets.

Tree Again

2009-09-24T07:48:00.003-05:00

The tree's sense of desolation seems better suited to black and white.

Tree

2009-09-23T16:15:00.001-05:00

It occurred to me that some farmer has been working around this tree for decades.

Not a Fair Ride

2009-09-20T09:12:00.002-05:00

It might look like the fair is in town, but no, it's new farm equipment at the Ridgeland Coop.

New London City Hall

2009-09-19T20:55:00.002-05:00

City Hall in New London, WI. An architectural gem in a small midwestern town.

Textures and Colors

2009-09-18T17:39:00.003-05:00

A revisit of the Wittenberg barn. I like the colors and textures.

Painted Shore

2009-09-13T23:13:00.003-05:00

A scene along the shore of Sand Lake. The shot is slightly out of focus, giving it a painterly feel.

Tinker Tot Drive-In

2009-09-12T11:20:00.002-05:00

The Tinker Tot, in Ladysmith, WI, must have been a hoppin' place at one time. I can imagine the families parked there with trays of hamburgers and french fries hanging out the windows.

Morning On The Lake

2009-09-08T09:12:00.002-05:00

Early morning on Sand Lake in Moose Lake, MN.

Lonely Outhouse

2009-08-28T17:32:00.002-05:00

How's this for privacy?

Classic Home Style

2009-08-25T10:31:00.003-05:00

The Knowles Doane House, in Eastham, Cape Cod, is a classic home style. Built in 1765, the design of this small 1-1/2 story house can be found in older neighborhoods of nearly every city and town in America.

P-Town Wall Art

2009-08-24T21:50:00.002-05:00

Province Town, Cape Cod. Crazy place, and a lot of fun.

True Cape Cod

2009-08-23T22:12:00.002-05:00

Scene at the entrance of the Knowles Doane House, c. 1765. A fixture in the town of Eastham, Cape Cod, the small home is the essence of Cape Cod architecture. I'll follow tomorrow with a view of the whole house.

Storm Over Woodbury

2009-08-22T10:30:00.003-05:00

It's coming!

Woodbury Sunset

2009-08-21T17:20:00.000-05:00

Mesmerized

2009-08-20T12:09:00.001-05:00

Cape Cod Lobster

2009-08-19T11:18:00.002-05:00

'I know it's supposed to be yummy... but it's kinda scary... and do they really think I can eat that much?'

Minnesota State Capitol

2009-08-18T17:17:00.002-05:00

Classic Cleaner

2009-08-17T11:41:00.003-05:00

Much of the Selby & Dale area of St. Paul has been redeveloped recently, but this cleaner is stuck in the 50's. I like it. Let's hope it stays like it is.

Duluth Harbor Lighthouse

2009-08-16T11:33:00.006-05:00

Minnesota is in the middle of North America, about as far from an ocean as you can get. But in Duluth, you'd think you were on the coast. Lake Superior stretches as far as the eye can see.

Minneapolis

2009-08-15T14:32:00.003-05:00

Minneapolis skyline from Grant Park.

A Summer Place Window

2009-08-14T09:57:00.003-05:00

More Wall Art

2009-08-12T16:25:00.003-05:00

You're never far from the train tracks in Pepin. If you're anywhere near the water, the rumble and the noise is a regular presence. But unlike a train in the city, here it's almost romantic. The long whistle adds to the charm of the harbor and the shops and restaurants.

Mermaid in Pepin

2009-08-11T09:16:00.004-05:00

There is a bed & breakfast in Pepin, WI, called A Summer Place whose gift shop displays some great wall art. This image is from the south wall - the 'mermaid' wall.

Pay Phone?

2009-08-07T11:17:00.004-05:00

As strange as it is, a pay phone on the wall is an odd site these days. Cell phones have only been in the mainstream for 10-15 years, and already a pay phone seems like ancient history. Technology moves fast.

Road Trip

2009-08-04T07:21:00.001-05:00

Nothing like a summer drive through rolling hills.

Railway Post Office

2009-08-03T08:42:00.002-05:00

In Ladysmith, WI, you can see how mail was delivered a century ago, along with a restored cabooze and train station.

Ridgeland Coop

2009-08-02T11:02:00.003-05:00

Not sure exactly why I thought this image was interesting. I like the older, art deco sign. Ridgeland is a blip on the map, but it has charm, and the countryside around is beautiful.

White Country Church

2009-08-01T11:57:00.003-05:00

If you drive through the countryside in Minnesota and Wisconsin you see a lot of small, white country churches and adjoining graveyards. This is St. Paul's Lutheran, near Farm Prairie and Hillsdale, WI. The church was built in 1893, but many of the headstones date back to the mid-1800's.

Bruce Theater

2009-07-31T08:07:00.001-05:00

Bruce, Wisconsin has a great old one-screen theater. It's good to see that some of these are still in business.

New London Bake Shop

2009-07-28T11:29:00.003-05:00

Even though it was closed, I could just about smell the fresh bread baking. When I was young, this is the kind of bakery we would stop for on a family vacation. We loved fresh pastries and breads.

Norwalk Creamery

2009-07-26T17:31:00.002-05:00

The Creamery along the Elroy-Sparta bike trail is old, abandoned, and exudes character. I'm a sucker for old buildings with character. There's history lying in there just waiting to be heard.

Elroy-Sparta Trail

2009-07-24T00:19:00.003-05:00

The Elroy-Sparta bike trail in southwest Wisconsin is peaceful, relaxing and beautiful. It is considered the first rail-to-trail project in the country. The highlights are three underground tunnels along the way - the longest more than three quarters of a mile.

The Wood Shed

2009-07-22T16:30:00.003-05:00

On a recent vacation we toured an Amish community that thrives in and around Augusta, Wisconsin. This image is the side of The Wood Shed, a store in downtown Augusta that sells Amish goods and who arranged the tour for us. It was completely fascinating, and highly recommended. Unfortunately for me, Amish don't allow photography of themselves or their lifestyle. It took every bit of will power to not shoot a single shot, not to mention continuously.

Tall Grass and Barn

2009-07-20T22:18:00.002-05:00

Back in Wittenberg, waves of tall grass and a lonely barn.

Stately Post Office

2009-07-19T10:13:00.003-05:00

Rarely is a post office architecturally significant. Mostly they are functional and non-descript. But Northfield, MN, is a college town, so I wasn't completely surprised to find that one of the finer buildings in the downtown core was the post office. In character with much of Northfield, the post office has a charming presence.

Behind Froggy Bottoms

2009-07-18T12:55:00.001-05:00

Downtown Northfield, MN, has all the right elements: pededstrian friendly,

cute shops, fun bars, moody cafes and a river running through it.

Captain Ken's Truck

2009-07-17T08:42:00.003-05:00

The old Captain's truck sits above his warehouse at the Captain Ken's complex in St. Paul.

Wittenberg Still Life

2009-07-16T09:01:00.001-05:00

Wittenberg House

2009-07-15T06:41:00.001-05:00

Wittenberg Barn

2009-07-14T07:57:00.002-05:00

I visited a farm for sale in rural Wittenberg, Wisconsin. A very peaceful place.

I'll post images the next few days.

First Time on the Freeway

2009-07-13T10:34:00.002-05:00

"Honey, you need to speed up to get onto the freeway.

"How am I supposed to know if there are cars coming? I can't see anything!"

"Take a look. There aren't any cars in your way."

"I can't look, I need to stay on the road!"

"You'll be fine."

"Dad, I did it!. That was my first time merging onto a freeway!"

"Dad, there's a car up ahead, what do I do?"

"You're going faster than he is so you'll have to pass him."

"I can't pass him, that's too scary!"

"Just get in the left lane and go by him. When you're past, get back in the right lane."

"Dad, I forgot to SMOG!"

"Huh?"

"Signal, Mirror, Over the shoulder, Go. I changed lanes and didn't SMOG!"

"It's ok, you'll remember next time."

"Dad, I did it! That was my first time passing!"

"Honey, when you come up to a group of cars and trucks like that one ahead, you should cancel the cruise control."

"I know, dad, it's called a wolf pack. I'm supposed to avoid them."

"Dad, there's a truck up ahead going slow. What do I do?!"

"Move to the left lane and pass him."

"But then I'll be in his blind spot! What if he doesn't see me and he crashes into us!"

"You'll be fine. This kind of thing happens all day long."

"OMG I did it! That was my first time in a truck's blind spot! We're still alive!"

"I know, it's a miracle."

Early Minnesota Settlers

2009-07-11T23:56:00.004-05:00

In the St. Mary's cemetery in New Trier, MN, Claudius Irrthum (1810-1893) lies next to Anna Irrthum (1811-1879) and John Irrthum (1844-1878). I'm not sure the relation, but Claudius and Anna appeared to have lived long lives in early Minnesota.

St. Mary's, New Trier

2009-07-11T07:20:00.002-05:00

New Trier, Minnesota, population 116 is celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Mary's Catholic church. Beautiful architecture and a fascinating cemetery.

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, Ireland

2009-07-10T08:56:00.003-05:00

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral is situated in the centre of Cork City, Ireland. Designed by William Burges and consecrated in 1870, the Cathedral lies on a site where Christian worship has been offered since the seventh century. Legend has it that St. Fin Barre was the son of Amergin, whose tribe was descended from Eochaidh Muidmheadoin, brother of the king of Munster. Amergin settled in the territory of Muskerry, in the county of Cork, where he obtained an inheritance and land at a place called Achaidh Durbchon, near the spot afterwards known as Gougane Barra, at the sources of the river Lee. He was chief smith to Tighernach, king of the Hy Eachach of Munster, and he married a young woman of the king's household. As this was in defiance of the king's wishes, the couple was summoned before him and he sentenced them to be burned alive. A storm of thunder and lightning, with heavy rain, prevented the decree from being carried out. This was regarded as a divine interposition and they were set free.A child was born from this union and they returned to Gougane Barra, where the boy was baptised Luan, or Lochan. When he was seven years old three clerics of Munster, returning from a pilgrimage to Leinster, happened to stop at the house of Amergin. They admired the boy for the grace of the Holy Spirit that seemed to them to shine in his face, and were allowed by his parents to take him away to be educated. He studied at a place called Sliabh Muinchill, where, as was usual at the time, he was tonsured and had his name changed. The cleric who cut his hair is said to have observed, "Fair (finn) is the hair (barra) of Luan.""Let this be his name," said another, "Barr Finn, or Finn Barr."

Perfect Day For A Parade

2009-07-04T12:14:00.006-05:00

Pine County Dairy Ambassadors ride in the Moose Lake, MN 4th of July parade. The parade is an annual tradition for our family going back four generations. It's a quintessential small town parade with hand-made floats, fire engines, farm implements, hot rods, politicians, and princesses and ambassadors galore. The highlight for many of us is the fly-over of two air force fighter jets. When the parade ended and the jets didn’t make an appearance, we assumed they were the victim of budget cuts. But they were the perfect ending when they came screaming overhead as we walked back to our cars.

A Taste of Europe in St. Paul

2009-06-30T12:22:00.003-05:00

And again, the Landmark Center. Clearly one of my favorite buildings in St. Paul.

Tall and stately and palace-like.

The Good Old Days

2009-06-29T21:36:00.006-05:00

An old menu from the Nu Cafe found on a wall in Augusta, Wisconsin.

T-bones for seventy-five cents and a ham sandwich for a nickel. Oh, the good old days.

Dingle Peninsula

2009-06-28T10:17:00.001-05:00

Rugged beauty. Ireland's Dingle Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean.

Landmark Center

2009-06-27T07:18:00.002-05:00

This is one of many entrances to Landmark Center - a grand, old building in St. Paul. It was built in 1902 as a federal courthouse, and is now owned by Ramsey County as a serves as a cultural center for music, dance, theater, exhibitions, public forums, and hosts countless special events.

Brooks Building

2009-06-26T11:35:00.002-05:00

Brooks Building in St. Paul. I don't know much about it, but the architecture is beautiful.

Lucy's In Love

2009-06-25T14:13:00.001-05:00

Lucy is forever in love with Schroeder in St. Paul.

Heimie's

2009-06-24T10:13:00.003-05:00

Heimie's Haberdashery occupies a prominent corner in St. Paul across from Landmark Center. Named for owner Anthony Andler's great-grandfather Heimie Andler, who ran a men's store in downtown St. Paul for seventy years after emigrating from Russia in 1917.

Very Red Car

2009-06-23T16:24:00.001-05:00

Very red car. Small too. Also one of my all-time favorites.

Old Armory Building

2009-06-22T10:03:00.004-05:00

The old Armory building in Minneapolis has always interested me. It's abandoned now, but is still a great example of Art Deco architecture. I snapped this with my phone on the way to the Twins game.

Cheers! It's Friday

2009-06-19T09:35:00.001-05:00

Sharing a pint overlooking Dublin.

Flower Flag

2009-06-16T14:25:00.002-05:00

American Legion Post 566 in Lino Lakes shows some creative patriotism.

Night Soccer

2009-06-15T13:41:00.002-05:00

When the snow is off the ground, it's soccer season in Woodbury. With three players on three different teams, our family has the "opportunity" to watch games day and night.

Stylin'

2009-06-14T10:43:00.003-05:00

Lookin' good in the sun. Enjoyin' the barbecue. A perfect Sunday.

The Other Woodbury

2009-06-13T09:31:00.004-05:00

There are times you would never know there are more than 50,000 people in Woodbury.

Daily Grind

2009-06-12T11:37:00.003-05:00

Appropriate quote for the Daily Grind, a fun coffee shop in Stillwater.

http://dailygrindofstillwater.com/

Cone Head

2009-06-11T01:33:00.002-05:00

Wall on a Stillwater side street, just off Main Street.

High and Low

2009-06-09T12:30:00.003-05:00

Cliffs of Moor in foreground with Atlantic Ocean below.

Good Looking Fish

2009-06-08T12:27:00.003-05:00

Fishing off the dock brings in a lot of sunnies. This one is special though. It's a Pumpkinseed sun fish. Great colors.

Hoping to get my feet on the ground.

2009-06-07T12:04:00.005-05:00

Coming in for a landing on a grass strip in the Wisconsin northwoods, affectionally known locally as the "Three Lakes International" airport. I'm not crazy about flying in the first place, so this small, aerobatic plane was a little dicey. Great photos though out the windows - which actually opened up.

Dreaming of Ireland

2009-06-06T11:19:00.004-05:00

It's cold and wet in Woodbury today, so here's a bright day in Ireland. Dingle Peninsula in November.

Happy Feet

2009-06-05T07:32:00.002-05:00

My daughter, Emily, and I at the beach. Good times.

St. Paul Icon

2009-06-04T13:39:00.005-05:00

Driving West on 12th Street East, it's hard not to notice the Cathedral of St. Paul - standing guard over this modest city. The architecture is striking, the location imposing. Makes you think twice about St. Paul.

Not Just A Window

2009-06-03T09:41:00.006-05:00

I see this window in Bayport in the parking lot of Not Just A Cafe on a regular basis. It always catches my attention. Great texture and colors, plus mystery items behind frosted glass.

Gogol Bordello

2009-06-02T17:01:00.010-05:00

Eugene Hütz (Nikolaev) of Gogol Bordello, taken with my Blackberry phone. First exposure to Gypsy Punk music. Super fun! The whole crowd is bouncing up and down like a sea in a storm.

Pink Bus Stop

2009-06-01T16:11:00.002-05:00

In the middle of green rolling hills and narrow gray roads of Baytown Township stands someone's pink tribute to God's love. A brilliant billboard: everybody sees it.