It appears as though I have a thing for skylines. I seem unavoidably drawn to them. Perhaps it’s because they don’t move around. I’m able to set up a tripod and dink around with the levels on my camera and take their picture without having to bother anyone, or talk to anyone.
I wrote about this first in a blog about the skyline of Minneapolis. I prefer to take pictures of people. There’s more of a story there. But most people don’t feel like being bothered. Much less, being bothered by some asshole with a camera wants to take their picture and do who-knows-what with it. And, if I’m honest some people just look plain dangerous.
Since I’ve moved to Saint Paul, I’ve been a regular at this spot down the street from my house, on Mounds Blvd. It’s up the hill from Saint Paul, to the east. It’s a nice little spot, in a park, and the lookout is quite stunning. It will be a challenge to resist coming back here, over and over, to retake the same picture, which doesn’t seem to make any sense.
It must be costly to keep this capitol building lit at night. I’m glad they do though. It’s just so pretty! I hope they never turn off the lights at the state capitol.
I love how Saint Paul is framed by the trees here – how it’s crept-in on either side. It’s just so remarkably creepy and beautiful all at once. Like, if we turn our backs for just one moment, nature will claw its way back, and reclaim its territory. We’re finding that out these days. With everyone stuck inside, nature is making a big comeback. I find that incredibly reassuring. The world doesn’t need us. And when we’re finished messing everything up, the world will find a way to rebound.
Behind this spot, further up the hill on Mounds Park, you can see both of the Twin Cities. (below)
I’ve been told this is called a ‘Sibling Shot.’ It’s what describes a photo that captures both Saint Paul and Minneapolis in one frame. On a clear day, from the top of Indian Mounds Park, both these cities can be seen, as well as the capitol building.
It snowed this Easter Sunday. That will take some getting used to. I mean, in the Pacific Northwest, there was the occasional freak snowstorm late into the Spring. Indeed, when my family moved from San Diego, it was a hard first couple weeks since it dumped sleet constantly around Easter. For a family moving from San Diego to Washington state (1980), this was quite a transition, and source of depression for many.
But I am come alive in this weather. Give me this any day, compared to the sweltering heat.
I don’t mind the weather here so much. At least, not yet. People keep telling me to wait until the other foot drops. And then I will know the treachery of Midwest weather. They keep telling me and I keep waiting. Anyhow, it’s nice in the meantime, to enjoy as much of this terrible weather as I possibly can.