Well, Regal Guardians, the time has come for me to say goodbye to my StarTribune.com home. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said that change is the only constant in life, and the editors are reinforcing this dictum by changing their approach to the "Your Voices" section of the publication. I've been told they will feature fewer bloggers and rotate writers more frequently. Unfortunately, I won't be one of those writers.
The news was bittersweet. I have truly enjoyed writing for the Star Tribune over the last three years. Not only did I have an outlet for my work, but my association with the Strib opened the doors to some unique opportunities. I was fortunate enough to make an appearance on MPR's Daily Circuit in October, and I interviewed Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins and his wife, Alicia, to promote Fifteen's 5K last summer. These are experiences I won't soon forget, and for that I am grateful.
On the other hand, my boys are now 11 and 12 years old, respectively, and spent much of last summer asking if they could visit friends to go biking or play ball at the park. They are now creating their own adventures and are less dependent on me for finding things to do. I guess I'm grateful for that, too.
So, the future is a bit cloudy for me. It's possible I might find a new home in a different section of StarTribune.com, or perhaps in a different publication altogether. I might continue writing on my original blog site. Or maybe I slap Heraclitus on the back, embrace the changes swirling around me, and simply move on to the next adventure. Only time will tell.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my ramblings over the past few years. I hope you have stumbled upon some memorable adventures with your family and maybe had a few laughs along the way. It has been thrilling for me to know that my work had an audience. That is a gift. In the event that you might like to find future posts, you can check the blog site linked above or follow me on Twitter @AColdOmaha for Daily Adventure ideas. I am also posting music and restaurant reviews at MinnyApple.com, if you are into that sort of thing. If not, happy trails and thanks for the memories!
Friday, May 29
As I bid you adieu, might I suggest a visit to the Witch's Hat Water Tower in Prospect Park? If you've ever driven on the section of Interstate 94 that connects Minneapolis and St. Paul you've probably seen the mysterious green hat that brings to mind the Wicked Witch of the West. The 102 year-old tower sits on the highest natural ground in the city of Minneapolis and is open to the public only one day per year, the Friday after Memorial Day, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. You can enjoy music, performing groups and food vendors on the grounds as you wait to climb the 110 feet up to the observation deck. From there you'll get great views of downtown, the University of Minnesota, and the Pratt Ice Cream Social taking place below.
Enjoy! Many more adventures to you!