St Paul Undressed

Winter Fun

I can’t beleive I just used the words “winter” and “fun” in the same sentance. Maybe there is something wrong with my keyboard. Here is St. Paul we have a tradition that dates back to 1888. The St. Paul Winter Carnival of course. Here are some pictures I took of the ice sculptures. It is a contest. Yes blocks of ice can be carved using chain saws and blow torches. An interesting hobby to be sure. I can and have operated chain saws. I am thinking I am too big of a klutz to use one to carve anything.

If you have a camera and like a challenge, photo graph ice against snow. There isn’t much contrast so I had to get creative.

A fun place to work

I lied work is never really “fun”.  This is one of the coffee shops I use as an office.  My clients like the environment and I like it because it is warm, well lit, has lightening fast internet access and the coffee isn’t bad either.

The fresh Grounds coffee shop is run by a non-profit and is part of a job training program for at risk youth.  Located at 1360 W. 7th Street.

Thinking about Spring

People sometimes ask how we get through the coldest part of the Winter in Minnesota.  Today it is -13 degrees, with a wind chill of -25.  The highest temperature this week will be 8 above.  So it is time to start thinking about spring.

Spring is so beautiful here that it is more than enough of a reward for our patience during the winter.

Cold and snow

I often get home from appointments later than I expect. Yesterday I had to stop and get this shot on my way back from showing a house. When I walked in, late for dinner, my husband said “I know where you were. . .taking pictures”. I told him I can quit any time I want to, he says I can’t.

The picture was taken on the river bluff near my home. Some of the river has open water on it but much of it is frozen. The steam in the photo is from the district heating plant. When it gets cold enough the steam cloud blocks out most of the view of downtown.

Schurmeier Lofts

More information about the Loft

View from the bluff

The view of downtown from Mounds Parks is beautiful any time of the year.

Field Trip

No posts for the last week because I was at the Inman Connect conference in New York City. Here are some photos I took the last day that I was there. When I finally got the chance to take pictures it was raining but I like the effect so I won’t complain.

Times Square in Manhattan

Now I guess it is back to writing about St. Paul, MN. Nothing like going away for a few days. So many people want to see houses or list them.

Graffiti

Graffiti does not last long in St. Paul, it gets cleaned up almost before it dries.  The best place to see this urban art is at the rail yard.  More fun when it is warmer.  Some of the graffiti is truly a work of art.

Golf

The golf course was deserted today.  Could have been because of the wind or maybe it was the cold temperatures.  I guess that is why people who live in Minnesota take winter vacations.  I have to say it was quiet.  Silence is often misunderstood and highly under rated.

Ice

First picture of the year, there goes one of my new years resolutions.