“The Residents Truthfully Call It “‘Picturesque Highwood'”

Follow the ever changing Mississippi River while riding east, visit the 3 Battle Creek streets named for letters of the alphabet and discover hilly, hidden Highwood past and present with a long-time resident.

Wayfaring on Winding Wheelock

Wheelock Parkway is one of the most interesting and pleasant bike paths in Saint Paul. Its name reflects some important, but mostly forgotten, history. On the way, public art displayed at a business and a home.

From Payne-Phalen Church to Home, Studio, and Hang Out

The options for repurposing a church building are many. See how one couple has creatively turned a former church in Payne-Phalen into a home, art studio and more.

picture of grey housek-735 Conway-and its gravel driveway

We Didn’t Take a Bath for a Year

June 20, 2025 22.2 Miles Macalester-Groveland, Summit-University, Summit Hill, Downtown, Dayton’s Bluff, Lowertown Flags have become a popular way to show support for athletic teams, universities and even countries. A […]

Discovering Democracy and the Crocus Hillbilly

May 13, 2025 17 Miles Macalester-Groveland, Little Bohemia (West End,) Downtown, Lowertown, Crocus Hill Macalester-Groveland Little Bohemia (part of the West End) Downtown Continuing toward Downtown, I skirted Irvine Park […]

Mercedes RV with side door open and ladder to the ground

The two year trek from Germany to Saint Paul

October 6, 2024 8 Miles Highland Park, Macalester-Groveland, Frogtown I initially glimpsed this most unusual vehicle on October 4, as I pedaled north on Pascal Street in Frogtown. I glanced […]

A 125 Year Legacy In the North End

October 4, 2024 20.3 Miles Macalester-Groveland, North End, East Side Spotted in Macalester-Groveland, a fake snake and an unorthodox Halloween showcase. Halloween Bling at 1777 Lincoln Avenue. Frogtown Speeding north […]

A wrought Iron fence and gardens in front of 671 Geranium Ave., a red stone and brick house.

An East Side Craftsman’s Link to the Hill House?

September 25, 202425.5 miles Hamline-Midway, Como, Payne-Phalen The appearance of an enormous metal loon sculpture in the Midway generated a great deal of media coverage so I cruised over to […]

Castle-like home at 1478 Ames

The unusual homes and lots on Ames Avenue

Learn why the opening of Dickerman Park on University Ave. came about 115 years after the city acquired the land, a peek at a couple of blocks on Arcade St., and Ames Ave., where no two lots are the same.

Hmong fabrics, and books

The First and Only Hmong Bookstore in the World

Summit Hill, Frogtown, North End, Summit-University August 7, 2024 21.6 Miles Saint Paul is home to about a dozen independent bookstores. One of them has the distinction of being the […]