Tear It All Down, We'll Put It Up Again. Another Empire

....for any Queensryche fans.

I found this building in St Paul that was in much need of repair or destruction. The rebar now exposed from the cement wall, rusting away in wintery months.

Standing Tall

I was watching my daughter play soccer at one of the fields in Cottage Grove, we had the sun to our backs. I turned around mid way through the game and this was my view. The sun through the trees, reflections off of all of the cars.

Water Tower - Cretin & Vandalia Street

This gem of a water tower can be found in St Paul on the Cretin, Vandalia Street just as you exit and enter onto Interstate 94.

Free Parking!

Just before Christmas time, I brought my two children to see Santa at the Mall Of America in Bloomington. There was a very long line of cars waiting for the light to favor them so they could proceed into the parking ramp. I've tried taking a photo of the ramp in the past, but they never turned out, I didn't care for the shot or usually, the ramp is so dang large, I could never show the size of it. Since I was waiting in line and at a stand still, I grabbed the camera and finally got the photo I've been wanting to show. This is the West parking ramp, there is also an East parking ramp of the same size on the east side of the mall.

I've found the easiest way in and out of the ramp is to take Cedar going south [also called Highway 77] and take the Killebrew Drive exit, then take the first left into the mall entrance and head to the West ramp. When you leave, take the same way out and you'll avoid many stop lights and much less traffic. Unless it's before Christmas and there are too many trying to get in at the same time [this will still be the quickest way in and out].

Wait For It, It's Almost Here

With all of the snow received over the winter, I've forgotten just how wonderful it will be once the weather warms. This photo was taken late in the spring of 2006 while driving along Sheppard Road just outside of downtown St Paul. The bluffs to the left, Mounds Park hosts a small lighthouse type tower. Which is hardly noticeable at the distance of the photo, but it is there and in working order for the St Paul airport which is just across the Mississippi River on the right side of the photo.

Right On The Corner

This shot was taken downtown St Paul a couple more months ago. It's been too long for me to recall what this building is that I've taken the photo of at the moment. I wasn't going to post this photo until I found out, but I really like the shot with the double reflection.

Land Of 10,000 Lakes

Minnesota's state slogan is the 'Land Of 10,000' lakes. Though I've heard talk of changing it to 15,000 lakes. We have a ton of natural lakes in this state I live in. The one on today's photograph is right along an exit ramp I travel past on my way to work. It's very small in size, but a lake it is. Throw in some cold weather and a layer of snow and it makes for an interesting photo.

Is It Fair That I Miss All This Traffic?

I am so thankful that I do not have to drive with the masses for most of my daily commute. Should I feel bad for these people who put up with the traffic day after day? Naw....they've chosen their path, I've chosen mine.

Snow-mageddon Sets Into The Twin Cities

Today I heard on my morning drive into work, the DJ was poking fun at the weather boy forecaster on how they have been overselling the weather lately. I was glad I was not the only one who was thinking this. The morning DJ went to a weather break and introduced the upcoming weather forecast as the "snow-mageddon" weather forecast. It made my day complete and it was just getting started.

So yeah, the snow-mageddon forecasters were correct on the pending storm was going to be quite a snow storm. They for once were correct! School closing, people leaving work early. It's a lot to deal with and it's more snow than we've had in quite some time.

Today's photo is a split screen photo. I snapped the frame on the left Sunday just after midnight. The frame on the right was about 30 minutes ago. I photo chopped them together so you can see the difference from the snow piles in my driveway from today versus five days ago. My back is killing me as my snowblower is currently not work, thus I hand shoveled that entire pile you can see on the right. Keep in mind, there is an equal matching snow mound on the left.

By the way, it's still snowing and an expected 3-7 more inches of snow by morning. This means I will be shoveling more snow....go me!

Theme Day: Men At Work

65 Daily Photo sites are participating in the March 1st theme "Men At Work", please use the links below to visit them. (Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day.)

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I took this photo while at work in February without any intension on using it for the March theme day. This is the father's first child, his wife had to be somewhere for an hour or so and she brought the new born into see daddy. After a quick feeding and a messy diaper, the end result was comfort and relaxation in dad's arms. So for the theme of the month, this dad was working at work and working at being a dad all in the same photo.

Queue Quiet Riot's Metal Health song