A Shingle Creek Surprise in Minneapolis

When I'm traveling for work, where I spend the night is determined by a pretty simple calculus: where can I stay that is as inexpensive as possible, without compromising my safety or forcing me to spend too much time driving?

That calculation led me to spend last night at the Doubletree North Minneapolis. But this morning, as I headed downstairs for a quick run on the hotel treadmill, a helpful hotel employee asked, seeing me in running clothes, "Oh, are you looking for the bike path?"

Well, actually I was looking for the gym, but oh my goodness YES! I would much rather head out on a bike path.

So he pointed me out a door near the pool and I was on my way!

This isn't a rugged wilderness by any stretch, but as I didn't have time during this quick trip, with a packed schedule, to drive to a trailhead, this worked out perfectly.

The trail, just steps out the hotel's side door.

Much of the path has good tree cover; probably good on a warm day.

I didn't have time to see where this dirt path goes; some other time!

Nope, that's not a river behind me; it's the bike path! It rained pretty hard last night so this is what happened. Lots of red-winged blackbirds flitted around the cattails on both sides of the path as I ran by.

Getting a run in is a big part of maintaining my sanity, traveling as much as I do. So it was such a joy to run outside this morning.

Happy travels, friends, and see you on the trail!