Cries of spring

Hark! Spring has sprung in the Twin Cities area, and it seems to have completely taken me by surprise. I have been looking for signs during my jogging escapades these last few weeks, but now it seems like spring has sprung on me! Here's the rundown of what I saw Thursday, May 8 on my first-ever run along Minnehaha Parkway:

1. Daffodils and tulips growing along Minnehaha creek.
2. A bleeding heart in full bloom growing amongst the cracks of a stone bridge.
3. Ducks, ducks and more ducks! These fellas had deer-hunter orange feet and handsome mallard heads.
4. Road construction on the I-35W overpass, which shut down the sidewalk for bikers.
5. Fruit trees in early spring blossom - both white and pink.

Running along Minnehaha creek from Lake Nokomis to Lake Harriet was amazing. The bike and walk paths weave along both sides of this little spring and even under/over exisiting roadways. Very neat. The trails through here don't exploit you to public roadways, but shelter you from them. It's a place where the wildlife doesn't sit quietly, but run along side of you, along paths and from tree branch to tree branch. Except for the multipe road-way crossings, you wouldn't believe you were in the Twin Cities. Great place to train - folks call it "The Parkway."