Wash Em' Here

In the city of Saint Paul Park, on the corner of 3rd Street and Pullman Avenue, you'll find this convenient laundromat and car wash. The signs for this place is outstanding. "A clean car is a happy car" on the car wash side. The laundry side features 'large capacity washers'. Not only do they have Triple sized loaders, they have the grand daddy of them all, the ever popular 'Mega sized loader' available. Honestly, I don't know what the difference is between the triple size and the mega size. What does one wash in the mega loader, a room sized rug? What about dryers, do they also have mega sized dryers available to coincide with the massive washers? The good news is you'll go home with a clear car and clean cloths.

Painted Dinosaurs #3

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades....have you completed your taxes?

Contribution photo from swc.

Big News In Minnesota Wild Land

Minnesota Wild coach, Jacques Lemaire, will be stepping down as the coach of the Wild hockey team Monday morning. Which really puts the entire team for next year in question. Who will replace him? What kind of system will he run? What happens to number 10, Marian Gaborik who says he will test the free agency market? Was this his final game in a Wild uniform?

Today's photos are from fan appreciation night, the final home game of the 2009 season, where the Wild were victorious by a score of 8 to 4. Once the game was completed, the players signed pucks and tossed them into the crowd. The surprise of the aftermath came when Gabby stayed on the ice the longest, with a smile on his face, motioning with his hands for the crowd to cheer louder. He would then toss a puck their way. Perhaps he too was wondering if this was his final skate in front of the Minnesota fans. I do hope he stays put, his offensive talent will be hard to replace, there is no doubt.

   

Easter Sunday

Freshly decorated eggs. Happy Easter to all.

Final Home Game For Wild

Tonight is the final home game for the Minnesota Wild hockey team. They are three points out of the playoffs and need a lot of help to make it with only two game remaining in this season. It's been a so-so season unfortunately. Many ups and downs, actually more 'downs' that the previous couple of years. I will be at the game for the last day of 'Fan Appreciation Week' rooting them on.

Harbor Boat Launch

A close up view of one of the many boat launches I found at the harbor in Saint Paul Park. It really is a strange sight to see frozen water surrounding the empty docks. With the frozen over waters, it was calm and quiet that afternoon.

Painted Dinosaurs #2

Contribution Photo from swc. These painted dinosaurs, part of an art project from the city of St Paul. Various local artist painted similarly shaped dinos to their own tastes. This particular piece displays the Mississippi River with downtown St Paul in the background. After being on display all over the city, the artwork was then sold to the highest bidder. This crop of dinosaurs can be found off of Interstate 35E and I believe County Road E.

Blue Sky, Blue Shack

A little bit of upkeep on this rusted roofed shack. Look closely, you can see blue tape around some of the windows and doors. Least that's what I believe is going on. How can the roof be that rusty, while the rest of the build is this brilliant blue color? They must be painting it....

Black Gold Tankers

I've driven past these oil tanks many times, on a bright sunny day, half with sun, the other half in shade....they made a unique photo subject. I've always wondered just how many gallons one of these massive tankers can hold.

Theme Day: Yellow

Now I'm posting today's photo very late in the day as there is less than two hours until the clock strikes midnight. However, the first of the month is 'Theme Day' in the 'City Daily Photo' community. I couldn't pass up the theme of the color yellow.

The photo I've selected is of one of the very popular Fresh French Fry stands that can be found at the Minnesota State Fair held in late August each year. It runs for two weeks, with the final day being the Labor Day holiday. As for the fry stand, most Minnesotan's who attend the fair will visit this stand year after year. They start with whole potato's, push them through a cutting system and in the vat of grease they go to cook for about three minutes. Once they are cooked, sprinkle on some salt and into a various sized cups for serving. Now you usually have to let them cool for a minute or two as they are VERY hot coming out of 450 degree bath of cooking oil.

Now I must pay respect to those who work the booth each year. The two week long fair runs during our hottest month of the year. The cooking fryers are very hot, combine that with the outside air temps and it makes for a very uncomfortable place to be in. They serve the french fries and make all of us paying customers happy while they are hot beyond belief.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in today's Theme Day