We parked by the Mill City Museum, which the kids have been to, so they know about the fire that gutted it and a bit about the grain elevators. Helena has been to the Guthrie with me to see A Christmas Carol, so that was familiar to her, too. But walking across the Stone Arch Bridge was a blast because they thought that the falls were really great. So that took a little time, but when we got to the St. Anthony side, they became explorers and it is where they had the most fun. They ran up and down, climbed over old walls, skipped rocks into the Mississippi (of course), scared some geese, and walked past our neighbors without even recognizing them. By the time that we got home, they were covered in dirt and mud, Ada had a blister, and Liam had a cut on his head. And they can’t wait to do it all over again.

Getting Ready for Fun

The Old and the New

Helena Knows Something About Grain Elevators

Looking At The Falls

Liam Skipping Rocks

The Stone Arch Bridge From Underneath

Oblivious Ada

Liam Eyed These For Awhile

On Our Way Back

Liam Takes Off

Big Sister Walking Ada

Day Is Done

Today was cleanup day for Lake Calhoun, so the kids and I got some gloves and a garbage bag and walked a quarter of the way around the lake picking up trash. Helena explained why it was important, Liam picked up trash, and Ada played with her latex gloves. At one point, she literally ran out of her shoes when she got scared of a dog that was being walked.

After picking up the trash, we sat by the lake at the Tin Fish and ate muffins and drank juice. Then the kids walked out on a pier, watched a bumble bee, then we headed back home.

By the Canoe Rentals

South Side of Lake Calhoun