On my way to see the Winter Carnival ice sculptures Monday I walked around downtown St Paul a bit. There were lots of things to catch my eye.
Wind chimes made of ice outside a local brew pub.
It looked like they were set up for outdoor music in the evening.
Interesting architecture and reflections
A metal sculpture outside Ecolab corporate headquarters.
Something not every city has - sidewalks in the sky. Appropriately called Skyways, they allow people to walk all over town indoors which definitely has its advantages in a Minnesota winter. There are 5 miles of skyways in St Paul.
Posted with Blogsy
Very nice set of photos Cynthia. It is always good to walk around looking for little interesting tidbits :-) We have one walkway or Skyway as you say, downtown. I'm not even sure if it is still there. I think it is. It connects the Hudson's Bay store with the parking lot. Though it isn't that cold here it just makes it that much easier for people to get to the parking lot. That is a real luxury here downtown where you seldom have any free spaces. I'm not even sure if it is free anymore as I always catch the bus. In fact, I'd even forgotten about the parking until seeing your post.
ReplyDeleteThat must be great having indoor walkways with your temperatures there - much safer than slippery footpaths (sidewalks). Could you hear anything from the ice wind chimes? That is not something I will ever see here (or hear). Great photos.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job of covering St Paul so I should look at my city with a fresh eye. I loved the first shot of the murals because it is on the bldg where the offices for Books for Africa are located. I know that its my favorite place to donate books. When I was still teaching, my young students would occasionally take a field trip there to pack books destined for Africa as part of community service. If you need to give away books, go there and donate. Google Books for Africa for its history. All the images are familiar to me, seen through your lens!
ReplyDeleteBut you have absolutely no snow! What goes on? You have some great city scape shots.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised the ice cubes weren't melting! I wonder what they sounded like. Thanks for the tour!! Freezing rain here tonight :(
ReplyDeleteBrisbane once had a "skyway" across the Mall in the CBD - but they tore it down.
ReplyDeleteCalled "progress"?????
I think they are very sensible especially in your Minnesota winters to get across roads
in relative warmth.
The one here was great in the summer heat - cool!!! and it also had restaurant seating from one of
the side 1st floor restaurants.
Maybe Diane B. can recall more on it????
Cheers
Colin
I vaguely remember the walk way but that's it. I guess it went when the Mall became pedestrians only.
DeleteYes - verified by a couple of my neighbours - Hilton on one side and DJ's on the other.
DeleteBut no one, like me, can recall it's disappearance - when or why!
Cynthia the murals are interesting. Definitely I haven't met any skywalks in Europe. Probably we don't have. I think it is a nice idea because of severe winters..
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea walking undercover in your winter.
ReplyDeleteThe wind-chimes look good but how do they stay there when there isn't any snow?
Its a great city. I remember when we were there that I wondered why there weren't many people on the sidewalk and then I realised that everyone was inside and walking from one store to the next by indoor walkways and skywalks. A clever idea for a town that has severe winters.
ReplyDeleteImpressive City, I have never come across skywalks before!
ReplyDeleteI like it you take us on a tour in your city. So nice to have a look at other places.
ReplyDeleteWe have some going across motorways Mama x.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading Cynthia but I'm having problems with my computer (as always) but I'm not giving up on it I'm too tight!!! lol
You did really capture some great shots on your walk. We have a walkway here in Texas in a nearby community, but I do definitely remember some of these in the northern states. Really an advantage in the winter. Interesting ice on strings for the entertainment.
ReplyDeleteLove the ice cube wind chime, worry about how cold it must be to have one.
ReplyDeleteI love the ice cube wind chime too, very clever.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed walking around with you...what an interesting place! I think my replies to your comments on my blog are not getting back to you as it said you are a 'no reply blogger'...but the messages never 'bounce back,' so was just wondering whether you do get my replies :-)
ReplyDeleteMaria, I don't get your replies to my comments on your blog. Is there something I can do so that I will?
DeleteHello Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteWhere Venice has canals, St Paul has Skywalks. Such an ingenious way of getting about and so very practical in what clearly see arctic Winter conditions with you.
Our geography of the United States is, sadly, very shaky so we are intrigued to learn more about Minnesota. We certainly had no idea that it can be so cold. However, it sounds as if the locals make the most of it with their ingenious ice sculptures.
We found you by a most circuitous route in Blogland and shall return for more.
I love all your photos, Cynthia. You have such fun things to see and experience in Minnesota. We had a few of those skywalks in Chicago. They could sure use more. Those ice chimes are really fantastic. I'm amazed they don't melt because you must have some warm days too.
ReplyDeleteSo did those ice cubes actually make a sound? Interesting idea. LOVE that 4th photo!
ReplyDeleteThere was no wind while I was there, so I'm not sure.
Delete