Day 7: Twin Cities

We got a glimpse of Minneapolis - St. Paul a couple days ago, but left Rochester to explore here today. We drove up from Rochester along the Mississippi River and visited Lake City & Red Wing (as in the boots) on the way up. The plan at the Twin Cities was to first check out the fine arts museum, as we do in most major cities. But it was closed - on a Wednesday? And so was the Walker Art Museum (contemporary art), and the Mill City Museum and the Wiesman Art Museum on the campus of the University of Minnseota. All closed?

We were able to walk through the outdoor sculpture garden at the Walker, but then went where I didn't expect to find myself - The Mall of America. It turned out to exceed my low expectations of it. It is nicely done and has about any store you can think of, along with the amusement park in the center. It is more than twice as big as Houston’s Galleria in square footage and has half again as many stores.

Posting flags along the Mississippi River before July 4th (today is Jun 23rd).

Fireworks stand ahead of July 4th. Odd when you look at the scene. Trying to entice customers in, and front your business with a trash can and an outhouse? And the plywood on the sign?

Sculpture garden, Minneapolis

The compact and dense amusement park in the center of the Mall of America.