Minot, ND

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I had a busy week. The 'mouse' river flooded in Minot, ND and I was sent to record it. In six days I worked 94 hours and averaged less than 4 hours of sleep. While it was difficult and tiring, at the end of it, I got to go home. The people of Minot will be dealing with this for years.

173 - On the long drive to Minot. We finally drove west of the weather front and into the sunshine.

174 - Thursday, early morning. Come Saturday morning these train tracks will be covered in water. That's the river in the distance.

175 - This woman is sleeping in a tent. Her house is in this neighborhood. This was taken in the parking lot of Longfellow Elementary. We could see the water rise in the two hours we were there.

176 - 6th St SW, by the library. Those posts sticking out of the water are part of a fence for the train bridge. What was it like before? Well.... Look at this.

177 - Sunday morning. The river has crested at 1561.72 feet. This is 12.72 feet above flood stage and 3.72 feet above the previous record set in 1881. It will stay about 1560 feet about three days. I crossed over this bridge on Friday morning and by that afternoon it was impassable.

178 - Starting to recede though it will be weeks before people will get back to see their homes. It will be months, perhaps a year or more before some can move back in.

I wish I could easily express the experience I had in Minot this past week, but it is too complex. It was awesome, in the true sense of the word. I am amazed at the people who lost everything and yet are able to look forward. A few said they were grateful. They're grateful to be reminded about what is truly important in life. This town has banded together and they are strong.

Summer.

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Post live shot s'mores. I wasn't working today, but a fire pit was required for a 6 o'clock live shot and my fire pit didn't have any other engagements. Dennis and Joe showed up, did the shot, and cleaned up. I watched. And I provided the s'mores. Every live shot should end with gooey marshmallows and chocolate.


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Taken after 10pm on the longest day of the year. Just a peak of light to end a cloudy, stormy first day of summer.

Stone Arch

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What better way to work off a delicious breakfast than to wander through an art festival.

Bonfire

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It's scenes like this that I dream of when it's 10 below.

Thanks to the Freeds for providing me my weekly bonfire this month. What a great way to spend a night.

Nest

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I've got a woodpecker. She decided that my tree was a great place for her home. I'm cool with it just so long as the woodpecker youth moves out when they're grown. I don't want any lazy, good-for-nothing, slacker teenage birds hanging around in my backyard playing their video games and having loud parties with their good-for-nothing slacker bird friends.

Walkway

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Mon, Tues, Wed.

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High water on the St. Croix. Nice Monday spent wandering Stillwater


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Heading westbound on 94 into the Lowry Tunnel at 11:45pm.


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The garden is one day old. The cherry tomato plants can't wait for their roommates to grow up around them.

Overnight

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Finally got the garage door opener installed. Car is now parked in the garage. What a novelty.


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Yeah. I know. My reward for being up all night.


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Stayed awake after my shift so I could join in the festivities on Lyndale. They closed down the road to cars from 22nd to 42nd and opened it to bikers, walkers, skaters (both roller and board varieties). I even watched the yoga class just south of Lake Street.

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First Ave

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101

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101 degrees, pshaw. The Daneks are outside shooting the pucks. Joey likes to rock the no socks, swim trucks and bike helmet look. He's five. He can do anything.

*edit: My bad. It was 103.

Cotton

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Even in June when it's 97 and sunny, it looks like it's snowing. Cotton everywhere on Brownie Lake from the cottonwood trees. It collects in drifts near the sidewalks and piles up in the grass.

Oh. There's also a lake creature.

Beach

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On the way back to Minneapolis from a house fire in Minnetrista, I stopped at the lake to shoot video of people enjoying the weather. I took a moment to enjoy the weather as well. Only six days into summer and the sandal tan lines are coming in nicely.

Monster of a sale

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Perfect weather for the Victory neighborhood garage sales. I love living in a neighborhood with an awesome name like "Victory." I think I'll start calling myself a "Victorian." Maybe a "Victory-an."

Garden

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Dirty hands and face, sweaty shirt, crazy hair. The garden is ready for planting.

Selby and Chatsworth

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They're off

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Perfect Minnesota day. Sunny and 75. We had lunch on a patio in Uptown and rocked out to Atmosphere, Bob Dylan and Prince on the drive to the airport.

Have fun in California, my friends!