In the dead of winter, the art shanties are a fun activity at Lake Harriet. Always new and surprising shanties that come from the creative minds of the artists. You can dance, dress up and sing, learn about what lives below the ice, be a cat, cast a spell with Taylor Swift lyrics, and help aliens understand humans. This event epitomizes how Minnesotans don't let freezing temps keep them from enjoying the lake and expressing their creativity. read more

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Minnesotans really know how to throw events no matter rain, shine, or winter. Reflecting on this past winter reminded me of the surreal experience of standing on top of this frozen lake having moved from a two season state. If you've never been when it's frozen over I would highly recommend coming during their kite festival which also happens during the art shanty exhibits. If you show up to the kite festival on a whim, no worries, the park will have kites for sale. I would highly encourage coming with footwear that has good traction or added cat tracks to get secure grip on the ice. read more

Lake Harriet - Kite festival and art shanty exhibition - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lake Harriet is a lake in southwest Minneapolis, it's a park part of the Chain of Lakes. There's sailing, beaches, around 3 miles of bike trails and 3 miles of walking trails. about 2.99 miles (4.81 km) for the bike trail and 2.75 miles (4.43 km) for the pedestrian trail). It connects with Bde Maka Ska and the Minnehaha Creek trail system. There's a bandshell, picnic areas. read more

Lake Harriet - Sunset - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hubby and I were visiting Minnesota and were looking for trails to walk and found Lake Harriet It was about a 3 mile loop trail. This is a very popular area for birding, biking, running and for sure walking, you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The path around Harriet is well maintained. Lake Harriet you can boat and picnic link at any spot. Recommended it read more

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Had a surprise birthday picnic dinner for a friend!!! We found the perfect area new at the peace rock garden. The landscape was beautiful and made for an amazing back drop. Hope to go back and explore more. We were on the East side so parking wasn't bad. There were plenty of spots on Kings Highway. read more

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Over our weekend in Minneapolis, my friend and I visited three of the city's 22 lakes - including Lake Harriet. It has so much to offer: a rose garden; a bandshell park with a café and clean bathrooms; canoe and kayak rentals; a walking path around the lake; and beaches! It's a great place to spend some time, whether you're up for a picnic, some time on the water, a walk, a bite to eat, some beach time...Lake Harriet has something for everyone! If you're visiting Minneapolis, don't sleep on its lakes - part of what makes Minneapolis unique and special! read more

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It's not a business it's a Lake that I live close to. Unfortunately the restaurant there is already closed for the season. They have nice gardens and a couple beaches all the usual lake stuff. I wish they had an off leash dog park! read more

While I appreciate the cousin to the north, I think that Lake Harriet is more pleasant. Like Bde Maka Ska I have enjoyed driving, biking or walking around the shore many times. Many performances have been taken in at the bandshell ( be well prepared for mosquitoes at certain times). I have had a decent sandwich or some pretty good popcorn at the vending window. Strolling about the nearby shore and noting the small sailboats can be a very pleasant diversion. Quieter and less busy than Bde Maka Ska, I find that it is a gem in the Mpls chain of lakes. read more

How could I pick a favorite from the City Chain of Lakes?! It's impossible! What makes Harriet stand out to me: - the Bandshell obviously - there's nothing more magical than free live music on a summer evening. So many great memories here! - the popcorn from Bread and Pickle just hits different- so good! - my favorite of the lakes to bike: the path is smooth, with plenty of trees to protect you from wind and sun. I love the tree tunnel on the south end, and the slope down as you round the west stretch! - the playground is always bustling with picnics and birthday parties and that makes my heart sing - there are a few parking lots: paid of course, but handy! Usually some free street spots as well. There are so many reasons to love Lake Harriet; these are just a few. Happy Earth Day! read more

Lake Harriet is a wonderful place to take a walk around, just under 3 miles in circumference. Like all the other chain of lakes, there is a separate path for pedestrians and bicycles, keep in mind the bike path is one way going clockwise. In the summer you can rent a boat near the bandshell. There's also a concession stand for a bite to eat. Just on the north hill side you can find a picnic area and jungle gym for the kids. If all the free parking is taken around the lake, there are two paid parking areas. You can also find bike rentals located in the parking lots. For those wanting to take their own boats out on the lake, there is one boat launching ramp. read more

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This is such a fantastic lake - winter, spring, summer or fall.... you can get outside and enjoy Harriet. People in this area are always out and enjoying the space in some way (biking, walking, sailing, cross-country skiing, etc.). If you find yourself walking this lake, stop at Bread and Pickle (by the Harriet Bandshell) for a (spendy) wine or beer, or walk into the Linden Hills Village area and get a coffee at Dunn Brothers Coffee. In comparison to, Lake Maka Ska (previously known as Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles, I think of Harriet as a lake more tucked into a residential and family-oriented scene. read more

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Basically equivalent in beauty to Lake Bda Maka Ska. This forms the chain of lakes that makes Minneapolis so darn scenic. Strongly consider moving this toward the top of your visit list. read more

Lake Harriet - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lake Harriet is not only a wonderful place to visit in the warm beautiful months but also worth the visit in the winter as well. Last weekend my friends and I ventured to the Annual Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival...oh and what a breathtaking sight it was to see all these fun, awesome kites of all shapes, sizes, colors and themes fly over frozen Lake Harriet! The Art Shanty Project also took place on the lake as well, this is a project where art studios set up in the traditional ice fishing house on the frozen Lake Harriet. Oh, what an amazing experience to watch gorgeous kites outside in the brisk weather and then warm up and enjoy art in these ice houses! read more

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Another tourist item on my list checked off! It was the perfect day to visit Lake Harriet as the weather was just like cool California weather, and even just trying to find parking around the neighborhoods was fun! The sprawling mansions and neighborhoods were filled with so much character! As my friend and I walked around the lake, we would see dog walkers with 9 different fluffy dogs, kids skateboarding, and others biking. The lake was clear, although grimey at the bottom. It was a perfect photo day with the beautiful fluffy clouds in the sky. We picked up two bikes and biked around the entire lake. It was absolutely scenic to just go through the greens, take pit stops to take photos of the lake and boats, and people watch! read more

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One of my favorite things about Minneapolis is the numerous lakes you can visit right in the city. I frequent several lakes around the city, but Lake Harriet is one of my favorites for several reasons. Pros: 1. Great walking (2.75 miles) and biking trail (2.99 miles); more shady than some of the other lakes in the area 2. Music at the band shell every night (minus Wednesdays) in the summer 3. Easy parking (street) or paid lot ($1/hour) 4. Rose garden 5. Bread and Pickle for sandwiches/salads, snacks, ice cream, etc... (my favorite is the Red Stag popcorn) + water bowls for dogs 6. Lots of space for picnics 7. Beach 8. Restrooms 9. Usually less busy than Lake Calhoun (Bde Maka Ska) Cons: 1. At times can be fairly busy on the trails read more

Of all the years we've lived here, never made it over until recently. Pros: Fairly easy parking Restrooms and relatlvely clean ones Bandshell Wonderful playground, but will appreciate when our little one is bigger Lunch options at Bread and Pickle Walking paths Trolley- with such an adorable little shop inside the trolley station. Beautiful views of the lake Counting planes Cons: Can't really think of any. Lovely park and a great place to hang out in the summer months. read more

Lake Harriet - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Stop here to visit throughout the year. There is something to do here in every season! Winter-the Parks Dept. hosts many family events like the Kite Festival in January. Hundreds of enthusiast, adults and children come out to participate and witness these kites. They are bright and colorful out on the white ice background. Spring-Walk, run, bike, or rollerblade all around this beautiful lake. Summer-Free outdoor movies and music at the Bandshell! The city is amazing! Bring a picnic dinner and listen to music as the sun sets. Then, the movie will start at night. They put out a list for the whole summer so you can plan ahead with which sound most interesting to you. Fall-Biking, fishing, canoeing, and many other watersports are possible here to rent or BYO. In September, they shut many roads down in the area and the Bandshell is a reststop for people participating in the Minneapolis Bike Tour. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. read more

Trees, trees and more trees. This lake is park-like with it's tree lined paths. I love how on one part of the lake the street is high and set back from the lake so that you can't even see it. You are alone on the path in the trees by the water. Adjacent to the lake is a beautiful rose garden. Mother Nature is here! ****If you are researching which of the three in the chain of lakes to walk, jog or bike around, look no further. I ran around all three in a row today and brain yelped as a distraction. Of course all three have the sought after view of the water, but they are drastically different in look and feel. Lake Harriet: Shaded paths, park-like feel ( transported out of the city), skyline view through the trees. Can't really see houses, just trees, trees, trees... And water. Lake Calhoun: Touristy, open, busy, beaches, playgrounds, cars going around it on busy streets, and a skyline view. Lake of the Isles: Quiet like a well kept secret, residential (beautiful homes to look at), curvy path, sunny with 360 gorgeous views ( no skyline in sight). All three lakes have the separate biking (clockwise/one way) and walking paths and canoe stations that I am guessing you can rent from. Enjoy all three for their uniqueness! read more

I love Lake Harriet so much. There are just so many things to see and do here that I couldn't help but think to myself, "Who is this Harriet?? Because she must have loved all things joyous and fun." Well damn, I looked it up and the lake is named after F'in Harriet LOVEJOY. 'Sup, coincidences. Here's a few things you can do here: run/walk the scenic perimeter, hop on your floating device of choice (from paddle boards to sailboats), grab some food and drink at Bread & Pickle, check out a live performance at the Bandshell, watch a movie on the lawn in the summer, get your tan and swim on at the beach, and revel in the rose garden. There is a good-sized attached parking lot that I always find a space at. It IS metered, but just $1/hr, I believe. When I'm feeling lucky, I like to bring a scratch ticket and a rootbeer float to the pier and pray I win some money for more soda and ice cream. read more

Lake Harriet - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The best parts of Lake Harriet in my mind are three-fold. 1) The drive around the lake is the prettiest in the chain of lakes, in large part because the lake itself is so lovely. It's sparklier than Calhoun and Lake of the Isles, I swear (although the houses around those are more impressive if you're looking for that sort of thing). You also pass the Lyndale Park Gardens on the Northeast shore, where you will probably see a wedding party strolling in the Rose Garden if the season is right (warm). Actually the Rose Garden itself makes a trip 'round Harriet worthwhile. I can't quite get over the fact that we have a rose garden. How refined! 2) The bandstand. Must be new-ish. I first saw it from across the lake and thought it must be Disneyland Twin Cities, because it basicially looks like Cinderella's Castle, all turret-y and such. 3) The beach! I prefer the North beach. It's much quieter than Calhoun's and I can always find a place for my towel on the sand. There aren't too many kids and there's plenty of space to swim around. Maybe too much lakeweed. Consider riding your bike if you do go to the beach. Parking is a big annoying monster on hot days. Otherwise be prepared to park far away and walk. read more

Lake Harriet - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Beautiful Lake, Check out the rose garden as well!! 2.5 miles or so around the lake. I highly encourage a date walk/run/bike here! Lake does smell fishy though so i think i do prefer calhoun just a bit more than Harriet but not bad. I really enjoyed the beautiful houses, calm lake, boats, and the rose garden. I did unfortunately perform a front flip and ending up losing my wedding ring... nonetheless it was a fun night!!! read more

The little man is in hiding this season, but if you really want to go visit his treehouse go to the south side of the lake. Find the tree located between the two walking trails in the section between Queen Avenue and Oliver Avenue. The lake is frozen over and the view from that end is still freaken incredible. read more

Lake Harriet - The neighborhood elf is probably hanging out in Cabo this time of the year... - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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WARNING THIS REVIEW IS GRAPHIC AND SHOULD NOT BE READ WHILST EATING!!!! I love Lake Harriett been coming here for years since the suggestions of an old friend. However besides it being a scenic lake and fun to run (and you see the occasionally hottie jogging whilst checking you out...HNNNNNNNNG!) This is why I'm giving it 5 stars I was jogging today (earlier this morning to be exact) and it was 16 degrees out. In the middle of my run, after having ran it one lap already. I had the to go to the bathroom to erm " Scheise" as we would say back in Deutchland. I was half a mile away from my car. But I did not panic I ran another half mile and lo and behold there she was a porterable restroom. It was the best Scheise I have ever taking, never mind that my testicles where freezing or that I was panting hard from running. The fact that this rest room was there left me overjoyed. After I was done I rubbed some hand-sanitizer on my hand and finished my run, it was a great run. read more

There are more than ten thousand lakes in Minnesota (of which twenty-six lakes are in Minneapolis and Saint Paul) and Lake Harriet is the best! If you visit the Twin Cities, do NOT go to the largest mall in the nation (it's a tourist trap!). Go to Lake Harriet instead! A lot less crowded than Lake Calhoun, with a quiet little beach on the south end, free summer concerts in the bandshell on the north end, a beautiful Rose Garden, and some of the finest homes in the Twin Cities around the lake. There's a public path that goes all around the lake, which is perfect for a long walk around the lake. There's a public road around the public walking path, so you can bring a bicycle here and bike around the lake on the road. read more

More trees than Calhoun and Lake of the Isle provide welcome shade to walkers and bikers that want to avoid heat stroke. The band shell is great venue for outdoor concerts. I particularly like to listen to classical music from various local symphony orchestras. Have an ice cream from the concession stand, sit on a bench and listen to music. Great place to hang out on a lazy Sunday. read more

This is actually my rating for Lynnhurst Park. The skating rink was unfortunately very wet instead of icy, and my poor cousin fell in and soiled their boots. I hope that next year the park staff will freeze the ice more thoroughly. Three stars. read more

My wife and I live about 34 miles away from Lake Harriet and like to come down here on weekends for a nice hour long walk around the 2.8 mile lake. It is one of the quieter lakes compared to Nokomis or Calhoun, but they have a nice band shell and large snack shack in one corner. There are about 5 fishing small docks and a couple large ones to fish off of. I usually see someone I know while walking which is always kind of cool. There is a biking/rollerblade trail and a walking trail that is separated, which makes it a win/win for everyone. It is a lot greener around the trail, maybe Lake of the Isles has more, but it just seems like a lot more trees than the other lakes. Kids can swim at the beach in the summer and there is a lifeguard. One of the trees have a little gnome house carved into, which is kind of cool. Also, the lake monster shows up here once a summer usually which is a fun little thing they do for the kids. Overall, I have walked this lake a hundred times or more, and it is a nice time with the wife. read more

Tip: if you can only hit one park while in Minneapolis, the highest rated one is minnehaha. It's also a great park, and is bigger than lake Harriet, but there were swarms and swarms of very bothersome gnats at minnehaha when we went, and zero bugs at lake Harriet on the same day, so if I could only do one I'd go back to Lake Harriet. Minneapolis has an abundance of wonderful, free parks! We really loved Lake Harriet park. There are so many wide open green spaces, flowers, trees, and great places to relax! Also, being along the waterfront, you get some really cool views of planes coming in just above all the little sailboats on the water. It's very peaceful and serene! It's also an adorable neighborhood surrounding the park, so it's a fantastic place to just wander and stroll. Or pack a picnic and stake out a nice quiet area. We even saw people who brought hammocks, and strung them up in between a couple of trees - what a great idea! That and a book would be my idea of a great time! Dogs are welcome here as well, and we saw many. There is paid parking in the park; I believe it was $1/hr and it does take cards for payment (and coins also, but no cash). I think this park is well worth a couple of hours! read more

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Great spot to run! (Or bike) The running trail is 2.9 miles - perfect place to crush a quick run and get on your way. There is plenty of parking on streets so you don't necessarily have to use the pay lot. ($1 per hour). It isn't as busy as Calhoun and there is more shade. It does smell from time to time so beware... read more

Lake Harriet - Resting on a bench after running too much. Too much means greater than one stride... - Parks Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I love Lake Harriet. I have been coming here since I was 4 years old, and I have had no complaints. Except today. My daughter and I came over this morning to walk around the lake. We saw a sign on one of the lake rentals that said mountain bikes for rent, so we left the lake and walked the 15 minute each way walk back home to get my license to rent a bike. When we got there and asked for 2 bikes, they said sorry, we don't have those at this location, even though we had rented them a few years back and the sign was advertising them. She was so disappointed and since we are visiting from out of town, it kind of ruined our afternoon. The point of this review is just to request the Lake Harriet park board to cross off items that are not available to rent, so other children don't have the same disappointment. read more

I feel like I need to preface this by saying that I don't do lakes. That may sound really pretentious/crazy/bourgie/bitchy/whatever, but it's a fact. I have an irrational fear of fish, so the thought of swimming in murky, seaweed-y water where fish (and minnows! ACK!) can touch my body sounds absolutely awful. However, growing up in Minneapolis, Lake Harriet will always hold a veryveryveryvery prized place in my heart. My favorite part about this lake is all of the just down-right weird shit that is associated with it in my mind. * The Gnome House!!! If I ever have children, I will take them to see this infamous tree so they can leave notes for the gnome just like I did when I was younger. The gnome, Mr. Little Guy, would read what was left for him and respond back, signing every letter with "I believe in you." The seriously sappy side of me thinks that this is the greatest thing ever. The cynical side has me thinking, "I couldn't even make this shit up if I tried." * The trolley car - My grandparents always told me about taking the streetcar when they were younger and it always seemed so olden-timey and old fashioned. Probably because it is. You can experience yourself a little bit of history by taking the trolley from Lake Harriet to Lake Calhoun and back. Pro tip: impress your date by taking them here in the summer. * When I was in high school, they announced that a huge gigantic fish was found on the shores of Lake Harriet. In looking that up now, I learned that it was actually 105 pounds of pure terror-inducing sturgeon. ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE POUNDS. That is just...wrong. Oh, and sturgeon aren't even supposed to be in Lake Harriet. W T F?! Oh, AND it was 6' long. No no no... I'm shivering in horror. * So if that wasn't bad enough, there also was a dinosaur found in the lake! But it was a sculpture, so it's all good. The dinosaur, called Minne (cute!), was inspired by the Loch Ness monster. The first time I saw it, it creeped me out and I wished they would have made it purple or something... Still though, I love this lake. I will never step foot (or even dip my toes) in the water, but it's my absolute favorite. From all the miles I've logged from riding my bike around the lake as a kid, to kissing boys while listening to B.I.G. driving around in high school, to watching a performance as an adult in the bandshell, Lake Harriet is a very special place to me. read more

Finishing my Trilogy-o-lakes-Review with Lake Harriet. If Lake of the Isles is the quiet sister and Lake Calhoun the rowdy one, certainly Lake Harriet is the yuppy sister, driving a Volvo, shops at Restoration Hardware & makes her own pesto in between spray tans and wine tastings. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I'd like to think I fit into all three of the beautiful, urban waterways. Each having a different vibe, fitting my different moods. For a regal night out at the Pavillion with classical music, pate and a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I'm likely to hit up Harriet. For a thermos of Patron margaritas, a gaggle of gays and a game of beach Twister, I'm picking Calhoun. And for a serene, hand in hand walk with my future ex husband, it goes to Lake of the Isles. Lake Harriet offers everything from sweeping city views, gorgeous mansions, the postcard community of Linden Hills and all the recreation and solitude the others offer. It just does it a bit preppier. Though I'm moving back to Minneapolis in mid November and clearly won't take advantage of all the goodies these rippling blue waters have to offer til spring, I say in all of my travels, this chain of lakes rivals my favorite Central Park, PCH and Big Thompson Canyon in Estes Park, CO... Welcome home Thomas, welcome home. Well...almost! read more

This is the most peaceful of the three lakes that I frequent most in South Minneapolis (Calhoun, Isles and Harriet). Unlike the others, it's wooded and much quieter during the day. It's not the most convenient for me in terms of walking there, but I love to bike down in the afternoons and stay for the concerts in the summer. There's so much to love about Lake Harriet that I'm going to throw some words atcha: band shell, summer concerts (almost every night!), rose garden, bike paths, walking/running paths, sailboats, ice cream, trolley, picnics, playground, live music, charity races, window-shopping for dream houses... Get it? read more

Eclectic Lake Harriet...some tips: * south side of the lake, look for the "fairy door" at the base of a tree (it's what my daughters call it). * quench your thirst at the old school water pump a bit east of the fairy door. * Huge ice cream scoops at the concessions west of the bandstand. * Free entertainment at the bandshell. Check this link out for a concert schedule: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=266 * Dog counting...great way to get kids tuned into walking around the lake. * Linden Hills: Sebastian Joe's/Great Harvest/ Cafe Twenty Eight/Coffe & Tea Ltd, et al. * Diversity. Walkers/bikers/roller bladers/runners are a diverse group - old, young, pierced, families, singles, etc. Balanced. * Gateway. Start at Lake Harriet and then move over to Calhoun. read more

I love Lake Harriet. Why? Because it's less busy than Lake Calhoun, just as pretty and relaxing. If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Lake Harriet. If you want to be in near the city, Lake Calhoun, but somewhere quiet and some time for yourself, Lake Harriet. Definitely like less traffic there. Fun spot and the walking/running trail is quite nice! read more

Minnesota has killer lakes. Minneapolis has some of the best. Lake Harriet is no exception. The view of down town is excellent, the lake is pretty clean before Dog days of summer, wild flowers are brilliant, well kept paved trails, swimming beaches, live band shell... Great location... Where do I stop? The lake itself is great for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, sailing, etc. There are benches, BBQ grills and such as you walk/run/bike around the lake. There are always downfalls, though. Like the dog sh*t that some dog owners lack the courtesy to take responsibly and clean up. Cyclist on the walking path and pedestrians on the bike path. Those dorks that like to drive around the lake 2,3,4 times with loud distasteful music. you know, Bearable nuisances. read more

When I go home to Minneapolis, I come here everyday. For me, this lake represents everything I love about the city. For starters this is a great lake for runners. I think I've run around this lake up to 300 times. Its perfect to clear your head, or if you're looking for a more laid back exercise regime. There is a great wind of the lake as well, that always cools me down in the summer. The people watching here is unbeatable. There is this man who walks the lake every single day in the summer, he never misses it (I know because I run the lakes every day and he's always there). He's quite old probably 75 and he has a synthetic leg. Even with this impairment, he will walk the whole lake with his cane, stopping to say hi to friends he knows. I've never talked to him, but I've started to wave when I see him...maybe one day we'll talk. The rest of the lake walkers/runners/bikers etc are all very active people--something I really love about Minneapolis. Everyone is involved with the outdoors, even if they do technically live in a city. During the summer the bandshell has family oriented concerts that I've taken my extended family to. Its a great time for a good picnic and back round music. I'm going to miss it this summer while I'm in New York. read more

M4W: You were tying up a sailboat at the dock. I was fanning my fingers, willing the air between them to be the grey strands of your windblown hair. God you make ascots look good. You walk towards your SUV and I wish I could hop in, join you for a delightfully understated risotto at your Linden Hills pad. In the morning I'd... Oh this is not Missed Connections? Um...yeah cool lake, good water and aquatic life or whatever. Try the swimming. read more

Would be five stars but they need to clean up the lake and also PLEASE RE-PAVE THE RUNNING/WALKING PATH!!! Love the free music at the bandshell in the summer! Has a calmer vibe than Calhoun, and is less of a pain in the butt to get to from the southern suburbs than Isles ;) read more

Oh, Lake Harriet, you are the love of my watery life. I still remember the time I galloped around you after a dark, mysterious night filling up on booze. Or, the time I took my senior pictures eight years after I graduated from high school. Could I ever forget the time I sat on the dock at 3:30 am, talking about the meaning of life, only moments later, jetting into enlightenment, and then gradually fading into the despair of the dark night of the soul? Too bad people confuse you with Lake Calhoun---that scoundrel, no-good, self-righteous lake that lives right next door! Don't worry, we'll get that bastard next year! Now I live by two lakes. Two damn good lakes in fact. But, still, when I gaze into the eyes of the lake, all I see is the blissful ether emanating out from the golden bottom, where it oscillates to and fro, while glimmering the sound of heavenly music: AWW--AHH--AWWW! It doesn't matter if it is sunny outside. It doesn't matter if it is snowing. Or even hailing bunny rabits, Whatever happens on Lake Harriet, stays on Lake Harriet. And that, my liquid friend, is the mantra of my life. read more