A City Oasis...

As if we haven’t been gone enough, we were back on the road again as Natureman’s youngest brother whose home is NYC was back for a visit in the Cities in time for his birthday. I offered to drive up as I have been the passenger for all these past trips. Gratefully, Natureman took over driving once we got to the Cities as he was a taxi driver there many moons ago.

Lunch was in south central Minneapolis at a strip mall with Hallal meat, a Mexican grocery store, a Subway, the Cairo Mediterranean,Dragon Boat and the Steak ‘n Gyros restaurants to show you just how diverse this neighborhood has become. A far cry from La Crosse… I think that we were there to get some good Mexican food but instead what I really got was an eye and ear full. The clientele were the ‘invisible’ people. People who have a difficult time making it. The Haldol shuffle was pointed out to me.(the effects of major tranquilizer to control symptoms of schizophrenia.) Lunchtime was quite an education. An individual came in where we were eating with urgency to the counter and wanted to pawn off some 'computer' stuff for which he swore he had the receipt. He was all jumpy and you could tell that he needed the money fast. He kept reaching in his sweat pant pockets in and out and I just prayed that he didn't have a gun. My life really seemed super sheltered at this point. BUT maybe most of ours are…

Anyhow after lunch the brothers continued reminiscing about their excursions in younger years as we drove around the Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake and where their Dad used to go for spring water and their Mom loved to go fishing.

Then there we were in the middle of the Cities at a beautiful oasis of woodland, the Eloise Butler Nature area with trails. I will mention that the little red plaque which I was going to photoshop out read there was a camera on the premises. I left it because it is today's reality that we can't even go to a park and escape vandalism/ whatever. The times they have a changed.

Eloise Butler was a teacher for many years who decided it was necessary to save this property for future school children to be able to visit the out of doors as their classroom. She fought for this property and acted as a curator for many years.

Fallen leaves crunched under our feet as we walked the perimeter of the Wildflower Garden as filled our lungs with autumnal air. We shared the trails with a small group of elementary aged school children taking notes on the various types of deciduous and non deciduous trees.

Asters, chelone and autumnal sneezeweed were the only blooms amidst the dried out bog. Hoses lined the trails to bring water to newly planted species due to the drought conditions.

AFTER lunch in the big city, what a welcomed reprieve. The Cities' residents have so many parks and lakes.
It was a lovely excursion to not only stretch our legs but also enjoy a beautiful fall day with two brothers reconnecting and sharing family memories... and I have to say creating some new ones for me.