St Paul Condo Guide

With a little more than a month left of summer, there are still plenty of ways to get outdoors and enjoy the season.

Examiner writer Marie Malinowski offers a list of mountain biking trails around Minnesota. Whether you’re a veteran mountain biker or just cutting your teach in to sport, there’s something for everyone on this list.

If you feel like switching gears, there are plenty of great backpacking trails around the state. TheBackpacker.com offers a listing and reviews of several favorite trails.

Some of us, however, would honestly rather see the trees and squirrels in a nice painting…with a drink in our hand. For those, I suggest checking out some of the great rooftop patios and outdoor dining locations around the cities. CityPages offers its top 25, but some of our favorites include Stella’s Fish Market and Lord Fletcher’s.

Also, here is a great list of outdoor art shows around the area by Midwest Weekends

The first stirrings of work are beginning on the upcoming light-rail system to downtown St Paul. Work crews are relocate utilities, such as water, sewer and energy - around St Paul to accomodate construction work. St Paul residents can expect slow-downs and closures along 4th Street between Minnesota and Jackson.

Construction is slated to begin next year with the light-rail service expected to start in 2014.

Fourth of July in the Cities

Fourth of July Rodeo in St Paul - The 74th Annual St Paul Rodeo returns this year with everything from Professional Bull-Riding to a BBQ Cook-Off to Carnivals and Youth Rides. For More informations, See stpaulrodeo.com

The Taste of Minnesota in St Paul runs from July 2-5, located at Harriet Island. The festival features a fireworks show each night, and while the event costs $10 to get in, the show can be seen from accross the river.

View great fireworks the Red, White and Boom event in Minneapolis. Fireworks at 10 on the Minneapolis Riverfront cap off a night of entertainment on the 4th.

If you’re more indoor-inclined, the Walker Art Center is not only open on the 4th of July, but it offers free admission.

Firework shows can be seen in almost every subburb surrounding the city. Most begin at 10 pm, but check city sites for more information.

The frost is off the trees, which are starting to bloom, and flowers are pushing out of the ground. It’s time to reward your months of fighting the good treadmill fight with a 5K tshirt. Minnesota has no lack of races for a wide range (from walk/runs to marathons) of distances and great causes. So lace up your running shoes and head out for a fun weekend with one of these races:

5/17/2009 Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis 5K Hyland Lake Park Reserve Bloomington, MN
06/06/2009 Avera Marshall Race against Breast Cancer 5K/10K Marshall, MN
06/06/2009 Chester Woods Trail Runs 10K/5K Rochester MN
06/13/2009 Sour Grapes Half and Half Half Marathon 10K/1M/1/2M Brainerd, MN
06/20/2009 Sunnybrook Stomp 5K Wadena MN
07/04/2009 Otter Tail Lake Chase 8K/5K Walk Battle Lake, MN
07/18/2009 Devin Nevada Memorial 5K run/walk White Bear Lake, MN

For more races, check out www.runwalkjob.com/Minnesota.htm