Low-Carbon Footprint Travel in India, ca 1995.

Photographer Steve McCurry has been traveling to India for more than 40 years.  He's seen it all, and then some.  There's a new book of his out now, and I borrowed one of the velo shots.   I plan to buy one.

Little Free Library Locations in Excelsior, MN, and all over Twin Cities. Wonder if "Charter # 27638" means there are nearly 30,000 of these across the USA?

I sent this pic from Excelsior, MN to my sister on Whidbey Island, WA, asking her if they had "Little Free Libraries" out where she lived.  

"Of course," came the reply. "And I've read many of the books that are for loan in the Excelsior library photo you sent."

"Plus," she adds, "in Seattle proper, near where my daughter lives, you can find two within a block of her house." 

I helped myself to the J. M. Coetze title, "Age of Iron."  A South African novelist, about my age, Coetze was unknown to me before this Excelsior encounter. I've just started to dig into "Iron," published about 25 years ago.

This little free library is constructed with loving care and attention to detail.  It seems to resemble a rustic small town prairie house of worship.  This little free library sits on the grounds of Zion Lutheran here in Minneapolis.

Pumpkins at Mt. Olivet Lutheran as far as the Eye can See.

Thousands and thousands of perfectly plump and picked pumpkins are sold every Fall season at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Edina.

The young volunteers posing in the pic below were busy receiving, arranging and selling the gourds when I asked them to tell me a bit of their story.

The pumpkins come from all over Minnesota, and serve shoppers throughout the Twin Cities. Volunteers come from many high schools, serve a fund raising effort with enthusiasm and style.

Could Beat Generation icon Jack Kerouac have driven this '56 Ford wagon and Camper?

Parked on Tegner, out front of the Catholic church in Wickenburg, AZ.  Like-new mid-Century wagon and cozy camper unleash dreams of adventure, memories of Jack Kerouac and "On the Road."

Velo-themed fotos from the web. Wish I'd been the one to get the shot.

 I wondered where the hell I'd seen this photo. Then my Sis e-mailed a link to Modern Met, below. 120 velos are hung on wall of a bike shop in Germany.  Strong branding message, huh?   http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/120-bicycles-on-the-wall-4

Sunday afternoon in Jakarta. Bikes are color coordinated with ladies sun hats, and vice versa.  Pic was included in a bullish report on growth of wealth and leisure in Indonesia.  Bikes are emblematic of a rising middle class of entrepreneurs, though there's also reported a growing gap between haves and have-nots.  An income inequality situation not unlike we have here at home.

Czech-made 1938 Tatra Stuns at Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Light years ahead of its time, this rare Tatra is super aerodynamic, sports aluminum body, and by the looks of those generous scoops, is powered by an air-cooled motor sitting over the rear wheels.  I'll be checking for more stats and details, and updating this page.

For now check the post between the suicide and rear doors.  The thing-y you see is flag style turn signal.  When you clicked the lever mounted on the steering column inside the Tatra, the "flag" emerged from its safe keeping.  Flag was illuminated and likely flashed, alerting drivers in front and behind of Tatra's intentions.  

These signals were used in a number of European cars that I can remember seeing -- models well into late '50's.  

My buddy JI had a classic VW bug, "Fritz" by name, and I think his little German (ca 1955) may have had flag signals as well.

Around Town the Past Couple of Weeks. Note "Handsome" brand hand-made Velos for sale at Minneapols Institue of Art.

Heavenly Mpls skyline from perspective of St. Olaf Catholic Church, 8th Street btw. Nicollet and 5th Avenue.

Mike Personius runs Chunk's Automotive Service in Long Lake. How does it work?  Check out his one-off tool chest for a clue.

The secret to smelling sweet out here where we live. It ain't the spendy bay rum in those rattan-wrapped spritz bottles, but it sure does the job. 

 Baker Park, crown jewel in the Three Rivers System, hosts special archery hunts (deer would be target most likely) this fall.  I ride my Expressway foldy in Baker, making sure to stay on the paved path, and out of reach of errant arrows.

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a harbinger of the coming winter.  Wonder if he knows about the El Nino effect?

Minneapolis Institute of Art now taking orders for Handsome Hand-Made bikes.  They are gorgeous and I imagine a bit spendy.  Check out color combo on bike to right.  Meanwhile, don't even think about touching these velos.