Rochester's Silver Lake

Once Judi and I moved out of the downtown area, we started looking for short jaunts we could take to get out of the motel room. We'd heard a lot about Silver Lake - everyone flocks there to view the 4th of July fireworks, concerts are held along the river that flows into it, people boat on it. It looked promising on the map. For reference, we are staying over by Kutsky Park on the left of the map and the Mayo Clinic buildings are along Center Street below the park marked # 9 near the center of the map. In fact, we realized that the water we were seeing from Judi's hospital room was Silver Lake and not a wide spot in the river. Looked more like a holding pond from the 10th floor, but we decided to reserve judgment until we saw it up close. I mean, how bad could it be, this lake with a bike trail all around it and a nice park used for multiple civic events?

Oh dear, pretty bad. Granted, we drove out for the initial inspection on an overcast day that sprinkled rain, but it looked very small and bleak with such a flat backdrop compared to our Pacific Northwest standards.

And we'd chosen to visit the side where they rent boats and feed the geese. I later found out that this lake is formed by a small dam providing electricity and as such does not freeze in the winter. It accommodates up to 30,000 geese that migrate through in the fall, some of which stay year round because of the open water. This bridge spanned the narrow end that I suppose is more river than lake.

Judi thought it a really weird bridge - those high railings and all. I figured it was to keep people from trying to commit suicide by jumping off it once they'd been depressed by the flat view and murky waters! Yes, we were not enamored of the view. But I did kind of like the effect of the bridge head on. It had quite an arch to it.

We drove around to the other side of the lake and discovered that there was a very nice park there, so on a nice day, we packed a lunch and headed over to enjoy some fresh air and nature.

This was after that terrible heat wave when it really was too hot to be outside. It was the first break in that heat, very breezy and a relief to be outside. Judi even put on her new shorts for the occasion. But no wading in the water...do you see how brown that water is?

This side of the lake also has some lovely stone bridges that we could view from our picnic table. I haven't found any information on them, but they remind me of the sort of thing built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930's & 40's.

This side of the lake doesn't have as many geese flocking to it, but this little troop swam by and waddled past, not the least bit interested in us or our food.

It was hard for us to believe anyone would really boat on this lake, chancing capsizing into that water, but it wasn't long until these two kayakers showed up.

Wildflowers bloomed near the water - we couldn't remember the names of any of them but they did add a little color the scene.

Judi laid in the sun while I sketched, then we got off our duffs and found a trail that led over those stone bridges. These trails had not been kept up and it was a bit like traversing a jungle - I could have used a machete. That's Judi leading the way.

But for my money, these bridges are the stars of this park.

Loved the patterns created by the size and placement of those stones.

I'd hustled Judi and the hastily packed lunch as quickly as I could out to the park, for fear we'd lose the good weather if we took time to eat lunch in the room first. Turns out I wasn't entirely wrong about that. Not long after we returned to the motel and settled in, the wind picked up and the heavens opened in an impressive downpour.

Followed, of course, by a rainbow.

As always, mesmerized by reflections in water, here is one last shot of one of the stone bridges, cropped and  adjusted in Corel Paint Shop Pro. Click on any picture for a larger view.

Rochester's Soldiers Field Park

Some days we have time to go beyond the immediate downtown area, out of the Mayo Clinic Campus, to explore what else Rochester has to offer. There are many parks, including Soldiers Field Park which we walked to while we were still staying at the Kahler. It has some lovely big trees, providing the shade we were looking for and this head on the side of one of them.

Ok, not really a head, but a burl. But truly, we both saw that profile of a man...

Lots of texture in the bark. The one tree has an almost woven effect the way the lines wrap around near the roots but go vertical on the trunk.

As the name implies, the park includes an extensive memorial to American war veterans, particularly those from this part of Minnesota. It was quite sobering walking around and through it, reading the names and viewing the statuary, contemplating the lives lost in the many conflicts this nation has participated in, including its own civil war.

Coins in the Fountain

After we got our good news yesterday, after our happy dance, after treating ourselves to handmade icecream sandwiches, we ran out of steam and headed back to the Charlton to drop off the wheelchair and retrieve the car from the parking garage. Entering from the street level takes you past the fountain that eventually spills down the wall of the subway level atrium and I felt we had some major business with that fountain. We've been tossing coins into different fountains downtown, wishing for good outcomes for Judi. Now I wanted to toss in some coins of thanks...

...and add to the other coins wishing for continued happy outcomes.

It's Official!

Judi & I thought we'd be heading home by now - that was based on info from the Mayo Clinic...if everything went to plan. Of course, almost nothing has gone to plan for Judi since arriving, and the acceptance into the transplant program and start of radiation treatment has been delayed time and again. However, she has improved enough in the 6 weeks we have been here that her doctor took her case to the board for approval this week, and it agreed - she is a viable candidate for a liver transplant! We got the news while enjoying downtown Rochester's Thursday's on First and Third. Judi flashed me a thumbs up as she talked to her coordinator on the phone. And then we were up doing the happy dance!

The wait for a deceased liver donor could be a year or more, but the liver is the only organ that can regenerate, so live donors who would donate a portion of the liver are also an option. In fact, a live donor is the better option. Volunteers will be vigorously screened, but if a viable live donor emerges, the transplant could go forward much sooner. Amazingly, 5 people have already come forward as interested in being a donor. Whether or not any will be a good match is yet to be seen, so anyone who may be so moved who is blood type o, no older than 55 and around 5'8" may e-mail me and I'll pass your information along. 

While Judi does have medical insurance that will pay for a lot of her procedures, treatments and the actual transplant, as you can imagine the out of pocket expenses have been mounting as well as the added housing and transportation expenses while in Rochester. A friend back in her hometown of Hood River, OR has set up a website page with a little more information about Judi and where donations may be made to a fund to help defray some of these expenses:

 http://www.streetsmartspirit.com/judi/ 

So our 6 week adventure has been extended. Depending on how soon she gets going on the radiation treatments, it looks like we'll be here into October. We're just hoping we don't have to send home for our parkas, that we are home before the snow flies. We've been promised a break of at least 3 to 6 weeks (depending on which doctor we ask) before having to return for the transplant. We'll be grateful for the chance to go home for awhile. 

Shortly after arriving here in Rochester, I'd spotted a beautiful designer necklace in the window of Lasker's Jeweler, what I was sure was a designer one easily worth $500. It was a coppery bronze coil strung on a chain, something so me that I just knew I would wear it often. I couldn't get my mind off it and decided I didn't care what it cost, I was going to buy it. I've done this sort of thing two other times - spent money I didn't have to buy something I didn't need while in the midst of an emotionally charged time. It is as if I need something totally positive and special to counter the unexpected negative, so I have something good to come out of a bad time. Not a souvenir or something to remember the experience by. No, something that is unrelated to the event, almost a bit of rebellion against the negative thing I am living through. When I went home for my mother's funeral, it was a pair of engraved silver earrings made from silver mined locally. When I lost a tooth during a routine procedure, it was a very expensive Reed & Barton silver Christmas Cross. Now I found myself wanting to do this again, and that necklace looked to be the purchase to give me the good thing from this difficult experience.

And so on the day I determined to spend way too much money on a necklace, we paused once more to view that necklace in the window, then perused the many vendors set up along 2 blocks of the Thursdays on First and Third. Almost to the end of that second block, I was drawn into the booth of Crazy for Wire. Beautiful cabochon stones wired into pendants and dream catchers with tree images. Oh be still my heart! My favorite image to work with rendered in a medium I would never use, coupled with beautiful stones.  And very affordable. But no. I must stay focused on that designer necklace back at Lasker's...

So all the way back we trekked. I tried on the beautiful $500 necklace that was so me. And I did not like the way it looked or hung. I checked with Judi and she shook her head no. It went back in the window and Judi asked what I wanted to do next. I want to go back and get one of those pendants, I answered, and we trekked the 2 blocks back to the affordable booth (did I mention it was in the 90's and I was pushing Judi in a wheelchair?). I must have tried half a dozen different pendents but settled on this one attached to a chain with additional beads. My teal green, a beautiful stone. My tree image rendered in copper wire. And a message so apropos to my reason for being here. A tree of life for my friend, fighting for her life. A beautiful piece of art to inspire and uplift.

Can't Escape It

Beauty and inspiration in the lowliest places. What an elaborate utilitarian object in downtown Rochester. Lucky tree...

Calvary Episcopal Church

Calvary Episcopal Church 

The first night in Rochester, walking around the downtown and the Mayo Clinic Campus, I was surprised to spot a church across from the Gonda Building. Just didn't expect to see one in the middle of all these high rises and businesses. Upon closer inspection, I discovered, to my delight, that it was an Episcopal Church, a place that would  become an emotional haven for me.

Tiffany Stained Glass Window

Calvary Episcopal church was founded in 1860 making it the oldest church in Rochester and one of the oldest in churches in Minnesota. The original building (visible in the top picture) has been added on to and renovated over the years.  My first Sunday here I sat near this stained glass window, warm and reassuring. They have a marvelous pipe organ and an organist who can play it, plus a pretty good choir. The church's juxtaposition to the clinic draws many visitors like me who are in Rochester because of the clinic. In recognition of that, the church has declared itself a Spiritual Oasis and geared its mission accordingly. Read more about the grounds, buildings and renovations over the years here. 

Lilies of the Field

Chalice with Grapes & Ivy

Two of many beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary. These happen to be from the Tiffany Studios from 1905 and 1907. Click on either for a larger view.

In addition to regular services, Calvary Episcopal also sponsors a summer music series in its courtyard and other concerts showcasing its organ and talented members. I'm really enjoying taking advantage of this spiritual oasis in what otherwise could quickly become an emotional hell hole!

Mayo Clinic Campus - Mayo/Charlton/Eisenberg Buildings Art

The Gonda Building from the previous post was built not just next to but adjoining the existing Mayo Clinic Building. Many floors of the two buildings are open to each other, making a seamless transition as you walk the corridors. On the street level, walking from Gonda into the Mayo Clinic side leads you past a museum of sorts, history of the clinic with a few artifacts. At the very end is this large and impressive tapestry by Zophia Butrymowicz of Poland.

The closeup shows the texture and detail - from a distance I wasn't sure what medium this was. But it sure was my colors so I moved in for that closer look.

A nearby wall is of marble that in and of itself is a work of art. This is just a small portion of it.

The Gonda is linked via skywalk and subway to the Charlton/Eisenberg building across the street. The Charlton is where Judi sees her physician and where the labs are for blood draws and infusions.

Doesn't sound like a very inviting place to go but again, the subway opens to an atrium with this wall fountain.  On street level there's a round pool/fountain that empties into a trough that then feeds the water to cascade down the face of this wall. The dark areas are where the water is running over the marble.

Another view, and sharp eyes will see a sign indicating the Eisenberg building. Just like over at the Gonda, two buildings have been merged with corridors between the two.  The Eisenberg houses Rochester Methodist Hospital where the transplant unit is.

Again, there is art, even in the hospital section. I was generally only going to the 9th floor to visit Judi the several times she's been admitted there, but one day the elevator door opened at the 3rd floor to reveal these tiles. They each are about 12 inches square, a design I was immediately drawn to.

While there wasn't a lot to see in the actual hospital units, the views out the windows caught my attention. All those angles and reflections - surely I can do something with that?

Mayo Clinic Campus - Gonda Bldg Art

As we've gone to various appointments and procedures throughout the Mayo Clinic Campus, we have been amazed at how much art is on display on every floor of every building. The Gonda Building is 21 floors of diagnostic and treatment facilities, the glass facade letting in lots of light to show off the gallery-like corridors. (Details about construction can be found here.) On this side, the street level lobby overlooks the subway level where it juts out to form an atrium, performance area and outdoor seating area. It's not unusual to hear musicians and vocalists providing impromptu concerts for clinic visitors, the sound wafting throughout the two levels. This view is from the upper floors of the Kahler Grande.

Gracing the end of this area is this 28 foot sculpture, "Man and Freedom" by Croatioan artist Ivan Mestrovik. It was completed in 1954 and originally hung on this wall exposed to the elements before the addition of the Gonda Building. From the street level lobby you can get a very closeup look. See a view down the atrium here.

These Chihuly glass chandeliers grace the other side of the street level lobby.

There are multiple elevators - as you get off on each floor, a different piece of art installed in a glass case greets you. Mosaics, an Amish quilt, and this Uzbek textile are just some of the mediums represented.

Then as you move along the corridor, pedestals display beautiful works of glass like this one by Austrailan artist Klaus Moje.

The corridors also provide some quiet seating with a view. You might recognize the Plummer Building.

A view of the courtyard just outside the subway/street level atrium. Click on any picture for a larger view.