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The Twin Cities
Minnehaha
This is a startling place to find, in the midst of a major metropolitan area. These are also the waters, written about, in the poem Haiwatha. The park itself covers 193 acres, and contains a 53 foot waterfall.

	There was a concert in the park, by Minnehaha Falls. We were there on Labor Day.
	A look past the bike racks, fronting the pavilion, towards the stage, and the concert.
	Gunnar Wennerberg (1817-1901), was a poet and composer. He was Swedish, and was well though of by the citizens of the area, many of whom were of Swedish descent.
	Above: The John H. Stevens house. Left: John H. Stevens was the first settler in the area which would latter become the city of Minneapolis.
	A small covered pathway, which is overgrown with ivy.
	I had assumed that this was Hiawatha, but I didn't really know. It turns out to be a mask of Chief Little Crow. It is positioned near Minnehaha Falls. The mask commemorates the chief, who was killed in the year following the 1862 Dakota conflict, and is in an area considered to be sacred to American Indians.
	Approaching the observation area for the falls. This was down a stairway, from the main park, and another stairway leads down to the river towards the right.
	Minnehaha Falls.
	A look down from above the falls, at the river, the stone bridge, and the walking paths.
	Down the stairs to the river, and towards a better look at the falls.
	The river, the retaining wall, and the path alongside.
	A look down a more natural section of the river, which has no need for a retaining wall.
	The stairs leading back up to the observation area.
	Another look at the falls, from head on.
	The little stone bridge, leading across the river.
	A view from the entrance of the stone bridge.
	A look down the broad, and shallow section of the river.
	A tree lined, and wild section of the river.
	This is as far along the path as we went. The river, and the path alongside, reach all the way to the Mississippi, some miles away. Though it seems as if we are in the middle of the country, the city surrounds this little river valley, though it is hidden from view.
	A wide spot in the creek slows and swirls the waters.
	Looking very much like a small wild midwestern creek, these waters fed into the Mississippi.
	The stone bridge, from a nearby pathway. The river runs beneath.
	A retaining wall holds the river back, and keeps it within it's channel.
	A look up the stairs, from the river. Note the plantings, and the stonework of the entrance.
	A sideways view of the falls, from the observation area.
	A look at the riverside platform, and viewing area. This is the lower viewing area. There is another viewing platform a bit higher up.

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