2012-08-20

Sidewalk of the Week: Cedar Avenue and Edgewater Boulevard



The sidewalks of Cedar Avenue are wild as they come. Cedar stretches out over the bluff and down along a spine from the real center of town, on South through neglected pitfalls of Minneapolis’ past. It’s where Riis would have warily wandered if he’d ventured far enough west, gawking at the dirty daughters of desperate men. Its sidewalks have amassed more neglect and love and false concern than any in this city, and to gaze into its footprints is to see the family tree of the center of the middle of nowhere.

Cedar begins on the cliffs overlooking river bottoms that once warmed railroaded wanderers like flotsam, and it runs straight south through this wild triangle in the riverbend where booze and hope still comingle in the gutters. From the river just east of downtown, through the West Bank circus, it's amputated by the clumsy pratfalls of the Hiawatha freeway. Here Cedar dangles over a concrete abyss choked with moving metal, reduced to an alley for motorcycles and weeds. Cedar reappears on the far side of the trench, another Federal moat  piercing foreign tongues of drab reservations, seaming the last urban outpost of Indians lingering just past our imaginations. From there it flows down through the rusty city past porches overfilling with gravity, past yards with vacant stares, down and down along the only affordable housing for miles, sheltering people making do.

Then homes grow farther apart, driveways unsubside, gardens sprout, and gradually the weight of the city lifts itself upward floating away like a balloon slipping from the tired grip of a child. Cedar rises from the trees along the creek, tickling their leaves, driving farther south along picture houses until it meets the water and refuses to budge. The only street in Minneapolis so self-certain that it refuses to round, Cedar sidewalks cleave through Lake Nokomis like a hasty butcher and, stepping wet feet again onto shore, part the green parkland on the edge of town with traffic.

I was once asked if, in all my wanderings, I had ever found the precise place where the sidewalk ends. And yes, I have. The sidewalk ends again and again, and it’s always the same spot, always the same exhausting exhumation of bodies, and always with the same blind gleam in the reflection of windows. The sidewalk ends here, where Cedar Avenue disappears and becomes Trunk Highway #77. The sidewalks lumber up over the ground into a clunky ladder of cages, a hamster nest of bridges leading over garage doors. Bike lanes merge into onramps, houses erase themselves. The road opens up and horizons unfold. Looking south, your eyes rest on a vast impassable concrete ocean. Here the city ends.


[Two roads diverge in a green wood looking North and South along Cedar Avenue.]


[The exact spot where Cedar Avenue becomes Trunk Highway #77.]

[The pedestrian birdcage.]


[The crosswalks wear away under the press of a billion tires.]
But all is not lost. Fat Lorenzo’s sits like a lighthouse of the urbane, the last sidewalk in the East, outpost on the edge of the world. People huddle round it clutching plates, staying sure of their footing, wary of edges. They gaze into the distance. Perhaps there are sidewalks out there somewhere, islands of cafés and parks and window shopping? But nobody will ever get there alone, not without hitching a ride or stowing away on a metal carapace unceasingly whining past coughing smog. I can imagine myself waving one down, flagging my shirt in semaphore distress. “Please, I am a poor foot soldier, trying to reach the next walk. Take me across this gulf?”





[A sidewalk beacon.]


[Phantoms since 1952.]

[A sidewalk cafe, boulevard paved with red cedar.]


[They repaint the Fat Lorenzo's mural each morning to match the weather forecast.]
Meanwhile these sidewalks and their homes huddle on the edge holding hands. The cluster of alleyways core a little corner between the park and the freeway. An old auto garage haunted by the 50s sits askance. A mustache’d dishwasher all in white emerges from a back door and watches with dull suspicion. The mural of the restaurant is precisely the same blue as the sky above, with clouds painted to match. The sidewalks run in only one direction, stretching under cozy oaks, but the quiet town here on the edge is too small, torn from its surroundings like a dying flower.

From here, the city seems impossibly far away. Cedar is gone, and Trunk Highway #77 runs straight as a fencepost out into the emptiness. Behind you, Cedar reaches back to the endless city out of sight. You can only trust it will lead you to the bricks, and their havens of hot dogs and strangers. But here you are on the edge, the Minneapolitan omega. One way is a desert, the other a long strange journey. In the meantime, wrap yourself in tomatoes while the sound of jets falls on your ears like dust. Here you can sit and breathe for a while, re-finding your wits before your journey. Enjoy it while it lasts. The restless city waits on the other side of the waterglass.


[The sidewalk rises to bridge the gap.]

[No people allowed.]

12 comments:

room34 said...

This is some evocative imagery for a road I have traveled in its entirety many times over, but I feel you're describing the experience of driving to Fat Lorenzo's and stepping out of a car, rather than really walking the sidewalks. It is true the intersection where Cedar Ave. becomes TH 77 is not incredibly pedestrian friendly, but as someone who experiences the immediate area primarily on foot at least three times a week, the picture painted here does not feel accurate. While "no people allowed" may be what you see from a cafe table, just a few yards to the north is a connection to one of the largest networks of urban foot-and-bike paths in the country.

Unknown said...

Hello, are you interested in joining the great Illuminati brotherhood where you can become rich ,famous, powers, and wealth, for the rest of your life ? Benefit given to new member who join the Illuminati brotherhood $2,000,000 into your bank account...... $800,000 weekly salary.........
A car value at $7.500,00.......
Award contract worth $600,000,00.......A House in any country of your own choice. And a free visa to your dream country. Total lifestyle changes.... if you are interested contact agent Allen on Whats-app for better information's (+2349039797566)......

Garry Fame said...

BEWARE MANY OF THESE POST ON HOW TO JOIN ILLUMINATI, THEY ARE NOT REAL,I WAS SCAM TWICE TRYING TO JOIN ILLUMINATI. THEY PROMISE ME MONEY, CAR AND HOUSE BUT IT WAS ALL SCAM I LOST OVER $8587 UNTIL A FRIEND OF MINE FROM Arizona Phoenix DIRECT ME TO THE REAL AGENT WERE I FINALLY BECOME ILLUMINATI MEMBER AND $900,000.00 USD WAS GIVEN TO ME AS A NEW MEMBER,PLEASE BEWARE OF SO MANY POST IF YOU WANT TO BE RICH AND FAMOUS THEN WhatsApp or call THE REAL AGENT Carlos Scott via whatsApp: +1 (315)316-1521

Fahad Ummat said...

I was taking Adderall for nearly 3 years, when my insurance would no longer cover it. I started taking it when I enrolled into college. It helped me achieve the honor roll every term I was taking it. I felt more confident and focused, whereas in high school I was unable to do such tasks and received D's and F's. I wish that I was taking Adderall again. I've taken Ritalin, Methaline and now Dexedrine which doesn't compare to Adderall. I have been taking this for 6 months now, and I am no longer on the honor roll. No matter how hard I try, my focus isn't where I need it to be. On the other hand, I don't have the side effects of severe irritability or quick anger that Adderall tends to cause.Adderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mgAdderall 15mg

Unknown said...

Welcome to the Illuminate brotherhood were riches and powers are achieved. Having you looking for a way to join the great brotherhood here is a golden opportunity and chance to join the great fraternity. Join Illuminate brotherhood today and receive the sum of $80,000USD immediately after your initiation and more benefits to come your way, No human sacrifices involve only few items needed for your initiation, if interested whats-app the temple lord on +1 443 281 3404 or email (clintonjames905@gmail.com) for more information and how to be initiated.

Mark Carlos said...

Hello, are you interested in joining the great Illuminati brotherhood where you can become rich ,famous, powers, and wealth, for the rest of your life ? Benefit given to new members who join the Illuminati brotherhood $2,000,000 into your bank account...... $800,000 weekly salary.........
A car value at $7.500,00.......
Award contract worth $600,000,00.......A House in any country of your own choice. And a free visa to your dream country. Total lifestyle changes.... if you are interested contact agent Allen on Whats-app for better information's +1(518)293-0860......

Unknown said...

Do you want to be a member of the great Illuminati? We are going to make you rich, powerful, famous and to be a world known star, get a good job, to win elections and get into a political power we are going to enrich you in all your endeavor empowerment and you will never loose any case in court or where ever. You will have powers to control people in high places.The first benefits you would receive is A house, A car, 2 million dollars and note you are going to receive all this benefits two days after your initiation and you would receive lots more as time goes on. If you are interested kindly contact us on email, Joinilluminati61@gmail.com or WhatsApp +1 (706) 871-4571 , for more details about the illuminati ..

Unknown said...

Do you want to be a member of the great Illuminati? We are going to make you rich, powerful, famous and to be a world known star, get a good job, to win elections and get into a political power we are going to enrich you in all your endeavor empowerment and you will never loose any case in court or where ever. You will have powers to control people in high places.The first benefits you would receive is A house, A car, 2 million dollars and note you are going to receive all this benefits two days after your initiation and you would receive lots more as time goes on. If you are interested kindly contact us on email, Joinilluminati61@gmail.com or WhatsApp +1 (706) 871-4571 , for more details about the illuminati ..

admin said...

Greetings! Buy Nembutal Online.
Email: keys2pharm(@) tutanota (.)com or
Email: keys2pharm (at) Protonmail (.) com
for any inquiries

The Quest To Buy Nembutal Online Is Increasing On A Daily Bases. Many Reasons Account For This Increase In The Demand For Nembutal. This Service is Brought To You To Find A Quick, Safe, Secure, And Express Method To Order Nembutal Online.

Where To Buy Pentobarbital?

We Are Your Number One Supplier Of High-Quality Pentobarbital and Shipping Globally. Top Countries Include The United States, The United Kingdom, Netherland, Australia, Germany, France, And Canada. If You Are Looking To Order Nembutal Online, Do Not Look Any Further. We Have Provided The Safest And Most Accurate Methods To Buy Nembutal Online for animals and Humans Worldwide Since 2004. We Continuously Invest In This Service And Upgrading On A Daily Bases To Meet Up With Clients Needs.
Advice on how to buy Nembutal?
_________________________________________________________
Contact Us Securely Through The Details Below:
Email: keys2pharm(@) tutanota (.)com or
Email: keys2pharm (at) Protonmail (.) com
for any Inquiries

Pentobarbital Doses,
Want to buy pentobarbital,
Cost of Nembutal,
Nembutal,
Buy sodium pentobarbital in Wales,
Provide information about Nembutal,
Can I Order Nembutal from you?
Buy Nembutal in Belgium,
Buy Nembutal online in Spain,
Buy Nembutal in Korea,
buy liquid Nembutal online,
pentobarbital for sale Europe,
Order Nembutal Sodium Online,
Buy Pharmacy Grade Nembutal,
buy Nembutal for pet use.
__________________________________________________________

PROFESSIONAL STAFF
It Is For Your Best Interest That We Are Here, Our Main Interest Being To Help You. People require Nembutal Solutions Often To Execute Various Tasks. As They Endeavor To Get These Tasks Accomplished, They Get In Touch With Various Nembutal Online Organizations But Customers End Up Disappointed Due To The Low-Quality Products That They Get.
We Are Currently The Best Selling Company In The Provision Of Euthanasia Drugs Pharmaceuticals Grade. When You Buy Nembutal Products From Us, Best Quality is Assured (Pharmacy Grade) and Secure Delivery.
Tags:
Do Vets use Nembutal?
How to buy Nembutal in a Non-EU country?
Do you sell Nembutal?
Valor Do Nembutal?
Bula Do Nembutal?
Preco Do Nembutal?
Does Nembutal Expire?
Like the Taste of Nembutal?
How Does Nembutal Look?
How Much Does Nembutal Cost?
_______________________________________________
Nembutal Liquid and powder for sale
Contact Us Securely :

Email: keys2pharm (at) Protonmail (.) com or
Email: keys2pharm(@) Tutanota (.)com .
.
______________________________________________________

Nembutal Liquid Pentobarbital (trade name: Nembutal) is a drug from the barbiturate class.
In the 1940s and 1950s, Nembutal was a sleeping pill (i.e., hypnotic) or anti-anxiety drug (i.e., sedative). Unlike modern sleeping pills, Nembutal is highly lethal in overdose.
Because it is very reliable and brings about peaceful death, it is one of the drugs of choice for assisted suicide.
Avoid Scams buying Nembutal online.

brown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
brown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
brown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.