Note: This is the first installment of the Series “Roadtripping With a Raindrop,” highlighting moments from my travels along the Mississippi River, right through the heart of America. Many of these are from the “raindrop journey,” a 90-day road trip keeping pace with a raindrop as it traverses the nearly 2,500 miles of Mississippi River from the headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Some will be included in the upcoming book of tales and photographs from that adventure and some will only be shared right here. I’ll introduce you to some of the amazing people I met, take you inside some unique cultures and lifestyles and share some crazy, serendipitous adventures as well as some of the life lessons that the River offers. Don’t miss a single Moment – If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up to be notified when a new post appears in the box below. Off we go!
Roadtripping With a Raindrop
An email came in a few days ago from Gary Lindberg. No bells were rung at first by his name, but he reminded me that we had met beneath the 3rd Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis while I was on my raindrop journey following the Mississippi River. It took just a minute of trolling through my memories to come up with the sparkly blue Saturday afternoon in September that we met. It was Day 19 of the 90-day journey (90 days because that is how long it takes a single drop of water to make the trip) – and I had spent the morning strolling through a Farmer’s Market and touring downtown Minneapolis on a Segway (great fun!).
Organic Foods and Plenty of Cold Beer
I went back to the Guthrie yesterday morning to see it in daylight. Architect Jean Nouvel wanted to create an unique observatory for viewing the Mississippi River, the Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls, so he designed the “Endless Bridge”, a 178-foot walkway extending from the side of the building with a plexiglass wall at the end and mirrored surfaces all around. It’s gorgeous and the reflection of the too-perfect-to-be-believed blue sky and puffy clouds gave me some very fun compositions to play with.
City Stuff
Some days are so full that when I think back to the morning, it’s hard to convince myself it was just one day! That’s how it’s been!
I left the quiet, friendly town of Elk River after two easy, delightful days with my new friends Jim and Pat Rossman. They live in a little piece of heaven right on the river– this is their back yard – and they kindly shared it with me! Jim is a knowledgeable river historian who brings the past to life with his tales. Spending time with new friends who have the Mississippi in their blood feels more like reconnecting with old friends. I’m sure I will see them again!
The town of Elk River, like many in this area, celebrates its identity as a river town in a downtown park where people and river come together for picnics and summer concerts.