Walkin’ Around Checkin’ Stuff Out. #38

Jun 30, 2024

Wow…suddenly it’s political season and as much I tell myself I’m not going to let it bother me…it does.

I have to remember to pull my head out of the crap and keeping looking for the positive. That’s why I draw. To document the things that are cool and have soul. That’s the stuff that matters.

Hopefully for you these drawings can be a welcome break from all the crazy news cycles and social media BS and serve as a reminder that there is so much cool stuff in the world, you just gotta look for it.

R.I.P. Rapidan Dam Store.

Mankato, MN

This is a tough loss. With all the rain we’ve had the river in Mankato flooded and we’ve lost one of the coolest little spots in the state…the Rapidan Dam Store. They served great burgers and homemade pie. And not just a couple types of homemade pie, but like 12 different types of homemade pie. Which seems like an excessive amount of options for such a tiny little place, but it just meant you needed to get an extra slice or two.

It’s sad to see great old places like this disappear, but it’s a reminder to get out there and support the good stuff while you still can because you never know how long they’ll be around.

Broder’s 30th Anniversary.

Broder’s Pasta Bar is amazing. If I want pasta, that’s the first place I think about. It’s no wonder they’ve been around so long. Think about that…30 years in the restaurant business. Pretty amazing.

They took over their parking lot and threw a party with drinks, food and music. It was pretty cool. The people watching was great. The crowd seemed older and no wonder, many of us have been coming here for 30 years. They even have a server that’s been working there the full 30 years. Amazing.

Truffle risotto served out of a wheel of cheese.

Musicians and regulars taking in the scene.

I like this guy’s style.

The Malt Shop.

The Malt Shop is like: “Broder’s has been around 30 years?…That’s cute. Talk to me when you hit 50 years.”

I was watching this woman open the Malt Shop the other day and realized I haven’t been here in years. I gotta take my own advice and get back there.

Sweet Ride.

An old Triumph convertible that’s about the size of a toy car and beautiful as hell. It’s a drag they don’t make cars like this anymore.

The perfect day for a cruise around the lake…just gotta get lucky and dodge the rain clouds when your car doesn’t have a roof.

Bike For Sale.

Seen around Lake Harriet: Buy the bike and get the marriage counseling for free. Seems like a decent deal.

Harvard Business School.

Occasionally I do paying gigs. This one was for the Harvard Business School magazine. The article was about micro-mobility and alternate forms of transportation.

I thought a grandma on an electric bike with a flame paint job was a good image for that story: