Whose view? From where? December 2013
We received three correct responses this month from Matthew Loyas, Eric Otterness and Joel Stiras. Joel gave the greatest detail in his response: I know that spot well and I'm sure there will be multiple people that will know the answer to this one. That is the Grey Cloud Trail bridge crossing in Pool 2 of the Mississippi River. Behind the photographer across Grey Cloud Island Drive is Mooers Lake. The water in front of the photographer is part of Upper Grey Cloud Slough and on the other side of the bridge is Lower Grey Cloud Slough (where Mississippi Dunes Golf Course borders the river). That area is a popular shore fishing spot and a good place to see waterfowl in the winter as it stays open much of the cold weather season. Tough place to get a boat to though.
A fourth response provided a detailed description of a similar, but incorrect location (I wont reveal the sender): I believe that is an image of Pickerel Lake. It is located on the border of Saint Paul and Lilydale and is a backwaters area near the bluffs. It is bisected by Union Pacific Railroad tracks. This vantage point appears to be near the mouth of Ivy Creek, downstream from the impressive Ivy Falls. Sounds like another great spot!
I admit I had to call the photographer to find out the exact location. Tom Bell, a longtime resident of Grey Cloud Island Township describes it this way: In this area of Grey Cloud, a culvert drains into the river creating enough current to maintain an area of open water. Cold air passing over the warmer water results in the fog we see here looking towards what locals would call the Third Fill. In freezing conditions, fog can lead to formation of tiny crystalline structures known as rime frost on nearby objects.
About Whose view? From where?
Each month in this section, we feature a photo somewhere along the river corridor in the Twin Cities that is in some way significant or important or just plain scenic. Individuals may then e-mail us and identify the view and explain why they believe it is significant to the community or important to them personally. Well publish some of your responses in the next issue of Mississippi Messages, where we will also reveal the correct answer.
To submit your guess and response, e-mail Irene Jones, River Corridor Program Director, through our contact form. The respondent to provide the first correct identification of the view and hopefully some interesting thoughts about its significance will receive a valuable prize for their effort. All entries must be received by the first day of the following month for consideration.