Secrets of the City

Emily Says So recounts her disasterous camping experiences at St. Croix State Park, which included rain and pinkeye. Share some of your camping stories — both good and bad. Where do you go to get away from it all?

via MinnPost: [L]ately a small but growing band of restoration advocates see that two key events — the prospective closing of the Upper Harbor Terminal in Minneapolis and impending shutdown of the Ford Plant in St. Paul — are giving hope that the rapids may one day roar again.

A white-water run has been proposed before; IIRC, around St. Anthony Falls. Nothing came of that but maybe something will come of this? I’m not a hard-core kayak enthusiast — just someone who enjoys the occassional, mellow kayaking jaunt — but I would definitely enjoy trying my luck with some white-water river kayaking.

Years ago the Raybeats did a song called “Calhoun Surf,” perhaps as a satire of all the surf-themes garage music that once came out of Minneapolis. But midwesterners do surf, and, on top of that, we do it in the bitter cold.

METRO shows us where. (Via.)

Minnesota man becomes a momentary internet celebrity for taking pictures of black birds hitching a ride on a hawk.

May is here and the camping bug is biting. Last year on one month’s notice I was able to get a late July weekend with friends at a group site in St. Croix State Park, awesome for its swimming and miles of trails. Which state parks do you recommend for a good weekend in a tent or under the skies?

(Here’s a map to jog your memory of places you may have been. (Wisconsin referrals may also be acceptable.)

South Minneapolis’ premiere destination for faintly morbid Norwegian-infused outdoor picnics, the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, will be re-opening on April 15 at the corner of Lake and Cedar. Enjoy the quiet and peace of our oldest urban cemetery! Weep at the tragic tales of early Minneapolitan heroism, loss and death! Admire the modest, lovely grave markers! Read the outrage of the Minneapolis Journal as controvery flares in our community!

What are your other favorite oddball urban summer picnic destinations?

Head out before 10 pm local time; Bring a lawn chair or sleeping bag; Dress warmly. A thermos of hot chocolate is optional, but highly recommended; Get away from city lights. There are going to be a lot of meteors this week, and the Science Buzz Blog has more tips.

Our kids, that’s who.

It’s Twin Cities Pride this weekend! Fun for gays, lesbians, transgender, bisexuals, and boring old heterosexuals alike. Who’s going this year? I’ll definitely be at the parade with my gay boyfriend Sunday ogling unattainable hotties.