Traveling Fool

I went home recently to The Land, the 216 or, as I like to call it, Cleveland, to see family and catch some All Star fever. Sadly, I didn't have tickets to any of the actual competitions (one brother did go to the Home Run Derby), but I did go to the activities at the Convention Center, and it was terrific. I think the whole block around the Convention Center was blocked off to traffic, which was nice, and there were a lot of free things to do outside, and a ticket was required to go inside (vendors, autographs, exhibits). The weather was gorgeous, the city looked fabulous and people seemed to be having a lot of fun. It was so cool to see people from all over the country enjoying my hometown. Rock and Roll and baseball - Fender guitars and bats representing all the teams. He's a goofball, but he's mine. Equal time for my home teams - Twins and Indians   Negro Leagues Exhibit   Got to meet some of these ladies ...

I put over 15,000 steps on my pedometer today walking out to The Basilica of St. Mary on 17th Street, and Minneapolis Community and Technical College and then all the way over to the First Covenant Church. Of course, it was probably the hottest day of the summer so far, but probably better than rain. I think I have located all of the pianos. I liked the new locations and some of the designs were very creative. In spite of the construction and detours downtown, I enjoyed tracking them down.  Until next year then. At the Basilica of St. Mary, 17th & Hennepin  This piano had it going on all over, the back, the sides, the seat. It is at 1501 Hennepin on the campus of the Minneapolis Community and Technical College. It was quiet and cool, away from the busyness of Hennepin Avenue. Two young people were playing this piano at the Convention Center.  This was the last one on the list. It's on the side of the First Church of the Cov...

The quest continued this past week as I made my way down Hennepin Avenue, and over to the Gateway District and then to the park area near U.S. Bank Stadium. I was a little disheartened to find that some citizens have decided to use the pianos as receptacles for their trash. Are people that lazy that they couldn't turn around 180 degrees and walk less than five feet to the garbage can? Clearly the answer is in the photographs. As a friend of mine says "this is why we can't have nice things". There some things I said, but this is a family blog, so I'll refrain. I covered a lot of ground on Friday, and it was a spectacular first day of summer. People are pigs. Piano on Hennepin.  The yellow piano below was also used last year, this year it's on Nicollet Mall. It's a tribute to Minneapolis bands and artists.  I had to uncover this one myself. I got some weird looks. And trust me, I was not the weirdest thing out that day. 222 Hennepin Avenue...