Alphabe-Thursday - Meet Xerxes

ALPHABE-THURSDAY

Our class today celebrates the letter " X "

The letter " X " being well, rather rare (try walking around one of the oldest and grandest cemeteries in Minneapolis, see photo below) and I dare you to uncover one tombstone with the surname beginning in "X"
before the sun sets! 

After much thought I remembered one of my favorite places to uncover buried treasures, that happens to begin with an "X" just a couple blocks from here.


May I introduce, Xerxes Avenue, a hearty street which begins in Burnsville, Minnesota and carves ever so crookedly through Bloomington, before continuing throughout south Minneapolis; where a major freeway takes a slice right in the middle of it.

Many streets or avenues where I live have more than one name, and  some have several.  Xerxes Avenue (runs north and south) is also called County 31.  Yes, it can be confusing to out-of-towners.




Xerxes Avenue, is a mixture of mostly business or residence.  It's earned the honor of having an exit at several freeways around town, and yet it remains the quieter, less traveled destination than other more popular spots.

A mile from that freeway sign, almost hidden in this thriving urban quaintness, there's a bridge on Xerxes Avenue that innocently interrupts your journey so one can enjoy Minnehaha Creek.



Of course I stopped, just so I could catch a couple of photos for your pleasure. There are houses on both sides of Minnehaha Creek.  But you couldn't tell by these pictures.

Xerxes Avenue offers an incredible cornucopia of rustic appeal in a some what jumbled existence throughout such a friendly town.

Just up the road we'll stop again for a bit of shopping!  50th and Xerxes, where you can get an oil change while you dine, or shop, and if you're really all about a good day of chores there's, Linden Hills Laundry (a great place to bring those large items for an over-sized washing machine.)



Or you can just visit an endless selection of antiques and vintage styled clothes, in one of the shops.

Doesn't he just call out to you?

This darling little bear cried, "Please take me home with you!" He's described as an old British bear, and the cost of his fare home of $69.00 American dollars was a bit more than I wished to pay; so he's still waiting for a new home!


The name quirky for any shop on this corner, arrived from within "hunt & gather" and that's the honest truth!

Like who doesn't want to own their own special rocket ship?

Seriously though, we just can't spend all day here, while the sun is blazing an incredibly painted scene so bright and vivid just for us.



Xerxes Avenue has houses that range from medium sized to mega McMansions, but they also feature along the avenue.....

The most incredible cottage like styles springing up here and there........it's as though you're traveling through a Dickens's story, if you stop and pay attention. 

Minnesota is known for having over 10,000 lakes, and Xerxes Avenue is one of those streets where, all roads lead to a lake.

Lake Calhoun, where Xerxes Avenue comes to a sweet ending, and features spectacular views of downtown Minneapolis over yonder. 

But if you want to continue on a bit more of Xerxes you can pick it up again on the other side.  It zig-zags a bit through the north side of town and ends within the city of Brooklyn Park.   




A fitting place to bring Xerxes Avenue South to a stunning end.  Don't you agree?

Here's a descriptive article from Minnesota Monthly (a bit old) but very informative about the quiet unassuming 50th and Xerxes shopping experience where all things are quirky, or rather, a self-proclaimed sobriquet of an urban styled "antique capital of south Minneapolis."


http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/November-2008/50th-and-Xerxes/



If you care to follow along with Jenny's faithful bloggers at Alphabe-Thursday, to view more or post your own please hop along with us!  You won't be sorry!

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