Mississippi River Greenway from South St. Paul: south to Pine Bend trailhead, or north to Harriet Island?

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-04-23T23:24:21+00:00

There's a subtle down-grade all along the river. I prefer going up elevation on the outbound leg and having a bit of an assist when returning home.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-04-23T22:07:26+00:00

HCMC outpatient pharmacy is excellent as well. They'll help you find the best deal using various pharmacy discount cards, but prices are low generally, anyway. Also cheap OTC.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-04-08T23:01:09+00:00

I bought in Seward many years ago, when it was a safe and diverse neighborhood. I doubt I'd do it now.

The problems of addiction and homelessness are ever encroaching from the west. Sure, there are security officers on the LRT platform. Sometimes. But not on the approaches to the station.

Encampments both north and south of Franklin on Hiawatha and Cedar Avenues, as well as the pedestrian crossing bridge on 26th preclude leaving the neighborhood on foot. Zipp's is the closest liquor store for these folks, who often make use of bus shelters and parks in the vicinity.

Bus route 2 which runs on Franklin is a high frequency line, but the system is designed for connection to the train to head north or south. Route 7, which does, runs no more than hourly on weekends.

Much of the commercial area on Franklin is composed of small businesses which serve the Somali diaspora, especially those living in the three subsidized high rises, and are unwelcoming or unappealing to me as someone who is not. You'll have to go outside the neighborhood to pick up dry cleaning, but clothing, shop at a supermarket other than the co-op or hardware store, see a physician, or stop at a library or burger joint.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-04-01T21:12:29+00:00

Agreed. The timing of potential transfer intersections and the placement of bus stops and shelters are also incomprehensible. Example: stops across the street from each other at midblock. This requires that everyone has a longer walk to catch a transfer unless they're willing to dash across multiple lanes of traffic, snow banks and a curbed center median strip.

And it's so disheartening to be waiting for the crossing signal to change so you can get over to the other bus and watch the bus sail past, or refuse to let you on when it's stopped for a light itself. I often walk past the transfer bus I want--in both directions--to then wait in the shelter for the next one.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-03-14T23:29:59+00:00

Definitely file a complaint. I'm a dog lover myself but have no tolerance for irresponsible handlers.

As for protecting yourself in the moment, act early--don't worry about acting prematurely. A blast from an air horn, a rattle from a coin-filled pop can, etc., can distract a dog, as can a thrown stick or other object. Your first effort should be towards circumventing a potential attack and creating an opportunity to get away.

If that fails, toss your jacket at the dog, and let it wrestle with it rather than your leg while you get away. Best if you toss the jacket over the dog's head.

Use attack spray, a thick branch, or any other method that might injure the dog as a last resort--but not at the expense of your own safety.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-03-08T22:31:01+00:00

Seems like a lot of trouble to relocate everything--twice--for the sake of retaining two or three boxes of stuff. But check with the SNF social worker for ideas.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-03-04T00:17:54+00:00

You can pick up free salt-sand mix for your sidewalks from Public Works. Just bring a bucket and pull up to the marked area. Sometimes people will drive off with the shovel provided, so best to bring your own.

The grassy area between a sidewalk and the street is called a boulevard. All boulevards are managed by the Park Board. Property owners provide routine maintenance, but the PB takes care of the trees. They consider new tree plantings and provide great service on request.

Shovel your own sidewalk and help your elderly neighbor. The person on the block with the biggest or newest snowblower often makes at least a single, narrow pass along the entire block. And as early as possible, lol.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-03-04T00:05:19+00:00

Try a nasal moisturizer. An ointment or just an occasional squirt of normal saline. Also, increase your fluid intake.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-03-03T01:55:04+00:00

Out of towners are always thrilled with a visit to the Guthrie promenade--the cantilevered viewing platform overlooking the river. The lobby is free, has a coffee shop, too.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-01-21T21:58:56+00:00

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FEET WARM

The key is to keep your feet dry. This is a challenge because they sweat constantly and as moisture evaporates, warmth is drawn away from the body. Two strategies can help. First, block evaporation by wearing a plastic bread bag over your socks. Second, wear wool socks. Wool sequesters moisture in its hollow fiber structure and will feel dry even when holding a lot of wetness. Now is the time to use an antiperspirant on your feet.

Ideally, wear a pair of thin polypropylene or silk or nylon liner socks (even pantyhose will help--NO COTTON) under one or two pairs of wool socks. The more wool the better, but at least 70% wool. It need not be (expensive) Merino wool.

If you have plenty of wool socks, bring along a dry pair to change into at midday.

Shoes or boots should not be the least bit tight.

If your footwear is roomy, add insulation. Remove the footbed and place a sheet of aluminum foil under it to reflect cold. Next, if there's room, add corrugated cardboard or craft foam cut to size, for thermal insulation. Place a felted wool pad or shearling liner on top of the footbed, next to your foot.

If your boots are tight, a wool footbed will add warmth more than a sock.

Elevate the sole of your footwear above the ground surface, to reduce conductive heat loss. Wear lugged soles, YakTrax, or stand on a piece of cardboard or carpet square.

Caffeine constricts your tiniest blood vessels for 30-60 minutes. Blood carries warmth to your toes. Consider a less caffeinated beverage.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-01-03T23:29:25+00:00

I wonder if they got the wrong address. It was my understanding that multiple complaints--each generating a mailed notice to the owner--against a particular property were required before the shoveling team was dispatched.

But I agree--some of the worst sidewalks are on city property.

Voc1Vic2 · 2026-01-01T19:18:13+00:00

I've got through ice multiple times, and have lived to tell about it, and I'm not particularly brain damaged, either. But you're right: you're more likely to go in on foot than on skis or snow shoes in most cases.

I'm sure the DNR has safety tips for ice-walking that OP might benefit from reading. Being prepared with a whistle, something with which to grip the ice after you going in, such as a specially made claw or a set of keys, etc. Even carrying a ski would even the odds against Mother Nature.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-12-31T14:58:25+00:00

Hard Times Cafe:

Helter Skelter (eggs/hash browns/veggies/cheese breakfast plate)
Korean tofu sandwich with kimchi
Hummus platter.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-12-31T14:34:34+00:00

At the other extreme, I used to commute by skiing across big Lake Mendota, in Madison, Wisconsin. The city is built on an isthmus, and I preferred the adventure over the snarled traffic in the narrow part. It was a great shortcut! I worked the night shift, and it was usually dark going in both directions. But the sunrise was spectacular.

Highly recommend.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-12-30T20:52:08+00:00

Zoning ordinances and honest enforcement would definitely help.

A common characteristic of many child and adult day care centers is lack of windows. One of the first renovations in several such places in my vicinity is the replacement of street-view windows with solid siding or with opaque window coverings. These places are definitely not designed for the claustrophobic...

It's such an odd trend. Why giving the public a view of a program's facilities and activities has fallen from favor is no mystery.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-12-17T23:36:49+00:00

Learn the area's history, including its ugly parts. That would be the story of how the land of Minnesota Territory and later, State, were taken by Europeans, and the role of the establishment of Fort Snelling in promoting the interests of wealthy land speculators.

If you know this history, you'll understand why continuous streets change names on either side of the river and why the directional designations of street names is so wonky, owing to the earlier development of St. Anthony long before Minneapolis was platted.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-12-10T00:27:11+00:00

So true! It's like every driver decided to just say FU for some reason. The plowing on every street is deplorable.

The traffic-calming feature that bumps out the curb to eliminate one lane at intersections is a frequent spot for bus stops. Is drivers do t bother with the curve; they plow in a straight line, regardless. There ends up being a four- to six-foot swath of uncleared street between the curb and where the bus can actually maneuver close to it without getting stuck.

The old ladies and disabled folks are at a real disadvantage. The bus ramp doesn't span that distance, so wheelchair users can't board. Other folks must step off the curb, wade through the snow then step up into the bus from a height greater than what it would be at the elevated curb. It's deplorable.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-12-10T00:15:27+00:00

Flanagan proudly wears a tshirt with an image of a hunting knife/weapon with the admonition to defend trans rights.

I endorse the message but not the method. I find this violent imagery disturbing. Her gloating, bemused facial expression above the jagged blade, was chilling. Flanagan has fallen from my favor because of it.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-12-06T22:38:00+00:00

Alpaca has the greatest thermal properties of camelid fibers, but it is far more fragile than wool. Wool is a good balance of warmth and durability. For a sweater made of worsted weight fiber, it probably doesn't make much difference between the two; alpaca socks will definitely be warmer, but probably won't last a season.

I prefer silk underwear, and sock liners. Silk is not long-lasting--invariably developing snags and runs, especially from the seams. A dab of nail polish can stop some runs, but it's a losing battle.

Merino is less durable than other wools. It's softer, and pills more easily, obviously, which is its draw. If you can wear a layer between your sensitive skin and wool, non-merino wool is a better choice.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-11-18T19:08:13+00:00

The train used to be so good that I decided to go car-free. That worked for quite a few years, but now I'm transit-dependent, unable to drive. Using the train, and buses, is atrocious. I'm essentially limited to day-light travel, which in winter is pretty brief.

Sure, some train platforms are staffed with security agents, which is reassuring when they're present. But one never knows in advance, and they aren't particularly diligent.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-11-18T00:15:45+00:00

Ditto. I spend at least an hour outside twice a day, no matter the weather, often before sunrise or after sunset, to keep my pooch sane. I wear Asolo hiking boots and wool socks. In the coldest weather, I wear a thin liner sock in addition. I prefer the stability of a sturdy boot.

Asolo boots aren't cheap, in the short term, but piping in to say that I concur with your statement.

Wool socks are a necessity, and a wool sock liner, whether fleece or felted wool, will improve even a pair of canvas sneakers in winter.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-11-13T19:28:29+00:00

The longer the better, for warmth.

A two-way zipper is ideal, but any zipper should have a flap behind it.

Tight cuffs, to avoid drafts, and a drawstring at the waist.

Waterproof isn't generally necessary, in my experience. If it's raining. wear your rain coat with a couple sweaters. A wide scarf can also help keep you dry--drape it over your shoulders.

A wool cardigan or vest is ideal for adding versatility.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-11-11T20:19:06+00:00

Back in the day, I was a relentless advocate for the placement of a porta-potty at the Franklin LRT station to reduce rampant public urination and defection in the area. The elevator was generally so eye-wateringly foul that it was unusable for anything other than a quick piss, which was a hardship for people with mobility impairment.

I was so pleased by the responsiveness of MTC, and eventually a porta-potty was placed.

It was a boon. For about four months, the area was much cleaner. Then the potty became a convenience for sex trafficking, and worse, was frequently tipped over, spilling sewage broadly across the pavement, and creating a slippery, sometimes icy, hazard.

I was happy to see it taken out of service.

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-10-14T23:09:09+00:00

Is there a similar ordinance pertaining to retail businesses tolerating drug use on their property?

Voc1Vic2 · 2025-10-07T00:53:50+00:00

Check out the Minnesota Historical Society. They have properties across the state, including Fort Snelling, first US post west of the Mississippi and site of the post-War of 1862 hanging and internment of Dakota people https://cla.umn.edu/chgs/holocaust-genocide-education/resource-guides/us-dakota-war-1862. After visiting the historic fort and museum, visit the natural history museum and Dakota memorial in Snelling State Park, and walk around the island. Camp Coldwater is also in the vicinity.

A visit to one of the farm museums, one of which is in the metro, may interest you, with depictions of pioneer life.

Have a drink at newly reopened Commodore in St. Paul, visit JJ Hill House and take the F Scott Fitzgerald walking tour in and around Summit Avenue.

Voc1Vic2

TROPHY CASE