Saint Paul is a river city

I have always enjoyed living near the river. When some of my suburban friends and family visit they often want to join me for a walk or a ride along the river. The Mississippi River isn’t just for recreation it is also used for shipping. Right now the water is high due to snow melt and spring rains. During droughts the river gets low and that impedes shipping. Barges have been around since ancient times and are low-tech. They don’t have engines they just float and get pushed around by tow boats.

Barges can hold a lot of cargo. A typical barge size is 195 feet by 35 feet and can hold up to 1500 tons of cargo. Newer barges can be up to 209 feet by 50 feet and hold twice as much cargo tonnage as traditional barges. Barges are efficient and cost-effective.

The river is a place to enjoy walking during any season and biking.

Barges
Barges waiting to be unloaded – Mississippi River
downtown St. Paul from the river
Mississippi River as it flows past downtown St. Paul
Robert Street Bridge
Walking paths along the river – Historic Robert Street Bridge

On this day in April 2023

I took these pictures April 25, 2023. There isn’t any flooding this year but there is more water in the river than there was last fall which is a good thing.

Sometimes we take the Mississippi River for granted but we shouldn’t because we depend upon it for water and for shipping.

The world’s fresh water supply is decreasing at an alarming rate due to human consumption and natural causes.

Unless water use is drastically reduced, severe water shortage will affect the entire planet by 2040.

“There will be no water by 2040 if we keep doing what we’re doing today”.

– Professor Benjamin Sovacool, Aarhus University, Denmark.

 

Mississippi River at St. Paul, MN
Mississippi River at St. Paul, MN April 25, 2024
Mississippi River at St. Paul, MN
Mississippi River at St. Paul, MN April 25, 2024

 

Throwback Thursday-change is slow

Mississippi River
Building along the river are long gone

Former Adult Detention Center and Ramsey County Government Center West buildings, along Kellogg blvd. The picture was taken in 2008 before the buildings were removed.  Today this is the RiversEdge site which is nearly five-acres located at the southwest intersection of Wabasha St. and Kellogg Blvd., overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Saint Paul. It is currently vacant. The proposed development will include:  public park, office space and housing. Part of the project will be a river balcony. I like that idea but for now I just look over the railing where the West Publishing buildings used to be.  The project isn’t likely to be started or completed for a few years. I need to get pictures before they get started.

Change happens slowly but it happens fast too.

 

Spring 2024

Today just the first day of spring. To be honest it doesn’t seem like we had a winter this year. The tulips and crocus are all early as are the buds on the trees. I have enjoyed a few bike rides already too and it is a good thing because there is some snow on the way. Expect snow on Thursday and then again on Sunday.

It is too early for yard work but it isn’t too early to transplant the rhubarb that I have been meaning to transplant.

I really do love flowers and plants too. I have been planning my garden in my head for weeks.

 

 

Everyone is a little drunk

It is Friday and Fridays are for fun. This coming Sunday is St. Patricks day which means this year it is a three day event starting today. The parade will be tomorrow March 16th starting at noon  and will begin at Rice Park, travel down 5th St. E, and end at Mears Park. For those who are not from around here Rice Park is in downtown St. Paul. It will be sunny and in the low 40’s for parade time which is not warm but not too cold either.

2018 St. Patricks Day parade
2018 Saint Patricks Day parade- Kid friendly

Celebrate the luck of the Irish responsibly and get a free ride on Metro Transit on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 6 p.m. to end of service on all routes–buses and light rail. No fare, no coupons; simply hop on and take a seat for free.

dogs in parade
Pet friendly

I am never even the smallest amount Irish but I do enjoy photographing parades.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Throwback to March weather

March can be a brutal month weather wise in Minnesota. Sometimes we have spring like weather followed by second, third and even fourth winter. We could still have a blizzard and a cold snap but as of now there isn’t any snow in the forecast and the coldest temperature predicted is 24 degrees.

In case anyone has forgotten what winter looks like in Minnesota in March, here is a photos I tool on March 10. 2019.

Snow - Alexander Ramsey House
Alexander Ramsey House St. Paul, MN