It was a kind of brisk day although it did rally to get into the 60's. The Prairie Princess had the day off from her government job, so she organized two of her co-workers to take a bike trip. She decided they would take the Cannon Falls trail from Cannon Falls to Red Wing and back. I suggested that it was way too long for this early in the season, and possibly too chilly. She reminded me that she is 26 and hardcore. So she borrowed my sun glasses and off she went.
I had lunch with some old Cray friends and then went to the state capitol to check out the work ethic of our state leaders, who are currently in session. I watched some debates and voting on amendments in the House chambers. There was a tie vote on one of the amendments having to do with state funding of abortions. That was exciting, but the Speaker broke the tie and and they went on to other details. I had seen enough and went looking for the portraits of my favorite governors. Every governor since statehood has had his portrait painted and hung in the capitol. I have heard that they are now out of room and don't have a place for T. Paw, our current head honcho. He's got another year and a half before this term ends, so they may figure out a place to hang him.
This is Jesse Ventura's portrait, filling the last available spot. He seems to have his hand on a statue of Rodin's Thinker. Jesse liked to think of himself as the thinker. I remember him as The Body.
And Rudy Perpich, the Iron Range guv. He's the only one the former guvs who insisted that his wife be included in the portrait. He maintained that Lola was a big part of his success as a politician and governor.
So the Princess came home tonight. She and the other two women did the 40 miles to Red Wing and back, stopping along the way to photograph wild flowers. She claimed that she did not feel tired and the weather was plenty warm enough along the way. I think she should take her chain saw along the next time she takes the Cannon Trail and wipe out some buck thorn on the way.
