March 2004

City of Lakes

by Matt Kempf

Okay, okay…I know this is supposed to be an article about where to go “out” in the twin cities, but I have different plans. How about one all-important reason to stay in, "It’s cold!" Why go out when it’s twenty below before wind chill and deal with getting bundled up, warming your car, parking dilemmas, etc….

Instead of going through all the crap of going out in Minnesota in the dead of winter, find your favorite seat and a good book. Sorry I tend to get a little aggravated in the middle of February, after weeks of below zero temperatures. But, of course we all go out in the dead of winter. How does anyone stay in for five months each year?

So we won’t talk about staying in because Spring is almost upon us anyway. Get excited about Minnesota’s spring. Hit the lakes! Have you ever noticed how the population of our cities seems to quadruple on the first moderately nice day of the year? Everyone is out trying to shake their cabin fever and they head to any body of water they can find. Options are endless for lake activities. Go running, a simple walk, find a nook and do yoga; it doesn’t matter just get outside and do something. If not for the exercise, than just for the people watching. Have a dog? Lake of the Isles has a dog park on the north side, and on the south side there is Kenwood Park. There is plenty of room for a game of football (or futbol), tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and a jungle gym for the kids. Of course where there are lakes there are fish. You can fish in any of the lakes for the sport of it but I don’t recommend eating them.

Don’t care? Then just go visit the tree gnome at Lake Harriet. You can leave him a note or a couple bucks for more landscaping. Have a picnic at Lyndale Park and take a walk through the rose gardens. It is a bit early to be talking about roses, but the time is coming.

Still too cold for you to handle being completely outdoors? Then visit one of the many coffee shops or cafes that are near a body of water. Try Dunn brothers by Loring Park or one of the many bars and cafes that line the street near the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Main.

I know you’re going to say, why is he writing about going to the lakes when it’s still cold out. The reason being, I’m excited for spring and you should be too. The seasonal changes are what make living in Minnesota beautiful. Have fun with spring because in another three months it will be so hot most of you will be hoping for fall.

Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake All connected and always open. Lake Harriet, Lyndale Park, Rose Gardens Public Parks close at 10:00 p.m.

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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