More on the River

Mississippi River on a very hot July day

...No matter how much it might be used by towing companies and water companies and commercial fisherman and trappers and the like, the river doesn't belong to the workaday world.  And no matter how much it is used by pleasure boaters and water-skiers and the like, it doesn't belong to the vacation world either.  It is never concerned, if you see what I mean.  Nothing keeps to its own way more than the river does.

Another thing: No matter how corrupt and trashy it necessarily must be at times in this modern world, the river is never apart from beauty.  Partly, I suppose, this is because it always keeps to its way.

Sometimes, living right beside it, I forget it.  Going about my various tasks I don't think about it.  And then it seems just to flow back into my mind.  I stop and look at it. ...   

page 310  Jayber Crow © Wendell Berry

Life on the Mississippi

Mississippi River National Park right through the Cities

Scenic Overlook

Looking at Ford Ave Bridge, below Lock and Dam #1

Smith Avenue Bridge and St Paul cathedral

From Ford Ave Bridge ( left side Minneapolis, right side St Paul)

Urban Gardens

Urban Trees

I began this journal in February 2011 and I am using the Fabriano journal pages by changing the color every month; working continuously so that the winter months ended up being on tans and greys and the summer months on yellow, red, then gold.  Now September is dark green and if you scroll down the dark greens are the most recent.

Many of these journal pictures were created at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, located about 5 minutes from Minneapolis Airport and Mall of America.

photo © Joellen Aviza

photo © Joellen Aviza

photo © Joellen Aviza