Standing at Attention

These tracks the switching posts behold

Lonely, but feeling bold

Forlorn hope for a train’s return

Awaiting, action along this berm

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Transit Choices

Trains to the left, cars to the right…the best option is still the bike…which I’m sitting on during both these photos.

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Under the Tracks

  These are the tracks I pass under on my way to the Minnesota River trails that take me on dirt from Mendota to the old Cedar Avenue bridge; one of my favorite fall rides.

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Here Comes the Train

 I like the way the tracks reflect the light and show the way for the train, but I’m happy to be able to get off-the-tracks. Freedom, fresh air, and the variety of choices are what make cycling such a great mode of transport. Enjoy the ride.

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Perspectives Indeed

 This bench caught my eye, the sign grabbed my attention.  I saw this bench and sign while cycling through the Kenwood neighborhood in Minneapolis the other day.  The bench looks like a well used neighborhood fixture.  The sign is only temporary but it regards an impending decision that will have a lasting impact upon this area.  More so than either the bench or the sign.

The Metropolitan Council will soon make a decision concerning the routing of the Southwest Light Rail Transit line on its journey from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.  A difficult decision that is  to be made by the end of the month.  In the long term, many thousands of current and future residents of the southwest metro will benefit from an LRT line.  In the short term there is fear.  The decision made by the council is potentially devastating to many neighborhoods.  Until the decision is made we don’t know which neighborhoods and residents will be most negatively affected.

We each care about the quality of the place we call home; our neighborhood.  The Metropolitan Council is assigned the task of caring about a broader area, and longer term; seven counties over the next 50 – 100 years.   I could not begin to know all the factors that must be considered regarding this decision but I do know I am glad I don’t have to make decisions that will affect the course of thousands of peoples lives for decades to come.  Let us hope the negative impact on neighborhoods and individuals is kept to a minimum.

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