It was 1999 when the kid decided on a college. She had her choices and enough scholarship money to climb the ivy. But no, she was impressed with the smallish campus and the friendly lesser twin. St Paul it was, and Macalester College is her alma mater.

Upon the first visit we took the bus everywhere, having flown in and wanting to experience what her first - by the school rules car-less - year would be like. On the second day we ventured into Minneapolis via University Avenue.  The Twin Cities is Public Transportation friendly. Still, like all but a handful of big cities, you need a car.

The expressways, like the boulevards, were wide in anticipation of tons of snow piled seven months of the year. But Minneapolis and St. Paul are not only separated by culture - Minneapolis being a model of forward thinking while the state capital is more provincial - they are divided by a wide and famous river. The Mississippi is a constant reminder that here is the main vein of the nation, close to its origin, Lake Itasca, yet already like a fair-sized lake from shore to shore and endless downstream.

Unlike many rivers that dissect urban areas, the Mississippi is crossed only at a few strategic points in the Twin Cities; opting instead for wonderful river walks and parks, expensive neighborhoods and antique industries that are tucked away and greener than most.  F. Scott Fitzgerald lived nearby on Summit Blvd, the broad way that empties into a small park at the river's edge. Garrison Kiellor lives there today, and the Governor's mansion is also up the boulevard.

As her college career blossomed there were many visits to the Cities, and many trips along the connecting route known as 35W. You might not even realize that you are crossing the historic mid-point of the nation. Radio station's lead call-letter really does change from W to K when you traverse one of the three frequently traveled bridges. And there are not many other ways to make the crossing without getting wet.

People who work or go to school in the smaller St. Paul take the bridge for granted as they head home to the more populous Minneapolis. Not any more. As the greater work force leaves their jobs and head to the less expensive St. Paul they use 35W. Not anymore. As a Minnesota DOT supervisor said, "we don't have a spare 35W." It is true. Life will not be the same for many years. Fortunately, except for the lost souls, life will go on.     



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