well, if a train is mentioned, there is that interesting Cardigan Junction railway running along Snail Lake Regional Park and those two big lakes in Vadnais Hgts.
"In 1888 the first train, in five sections, departed from Minneapolis with 102 cars loaded with flour destined for Boston, New York, Philadelphia, London, England, and Glasgow, Scotland.
Cardigan Junction, the Sault Ste. Marie and Atlantic RailroadÂ’s switching point, was also built in 1888, halfway between Lake Owasso and Vadnais Lake, at a cost of $3,700. Commonly known as the Soo Line, the railroad built its first station house in Minnesota at this site. Lines from St. Paul and Minneapolis came together at Cardigan Junction. Cars were uncoupled and transferred to sidetracks where they were reassembled into new trains bound for the Twin Cities. It became part of a chain of three depots: Cardigan, Carnelian and Bulwer Junction." Still looks like an active railroad, but I haven't seen clues written about any railroad. Named after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan who was famous for leading the Charge of the Light Brigade. But he was English. Interesting history about the area that I never knew, which is a reason I like this hunt.
Just throwing this out in the mix, Good laddie and lass(ie), could refer to dogs, dog park and sledding hill at Battle Creek. the neighborhood is called Highwood, (heights), watery sights, water park and creek. Golf course, workhouse too.
Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, has a poem about Highland Laddie; there are other versions of Highland Laddie poems/songs which leads to of course Highland Park.
"The last train carrying passengers passed through Cardigan Junction on June 2, 1962, but did not stop. After sitting empty for several years, the depot was demolished in 1984. The railroad tracks remain, as do the telephone and telegraph poles and some of the depot’s footings — all that is left to mark the site of the first station house built in Minnesota."
Great noodling! When I read the clue last night, I thought Highland had to be a red herring. Love this spot! I live in Fridley and work in Shoreview, so it's well situated for me. Couple of thoughts that I haven't seen mentioned, could the wedge be referring to the fact that one of the entrances to Snail Lake is wedged right on the border of Shoreview and Vadnais Heights? Also, the North Oaks golf course is just across Hwy 96, bringing in the golf reference and also the riches from expensive properties in North Oaks?
Looked up history of the John H Allison Forest in the Snail Lake Regional Park area. A U of M prof like in 1914. He wrote a long paper about the first U of M forest/horticulture department led by a Mr. Green; thus, Green Hall is still at the U of M Department of Resources. Interesting history of a forest I didn't even knew existed in the Twin Cities.
I also like Brigadoon Drive near Snail Lake, and Highland Drive and Heather Drive; those all scream Scotland (laddie and lass); but I have been in this spot before: fitting clues into park. I am still haunted by Horton Hears a Who to this day! :pbpt:
CLue 3: Nature's work high over a trail: Snail Lake Trail, Sucker Lake Trail, Grass Lake Trail and the long Highway 96 Regional Trail. A tunnel under Gramsie Road. From Metro Bike Trails.
plans of men fouled beyond measure - radio towers at Vadnais Heights - The towers were initially built in the 1970s, and were replacements for a single "candelabra" style tower which collapsed just prior to completion in 1971, killing six workers on the tower and one on the ground. They are well secured now. Also the entire area is a bird sanctuary
Someone on the PP boards did a nice scouting video for today. It didn't look like there were many, or any, people around where he was scouting. He went to Cherokee, Highland, Snail Lake, and Keller/Phalen.
Snail is really convincing for me at this point, followed by Highland and then Keller. I believe today's clue was "double written" to fit both Snail and Highland. Only one can survive...
Kid and I went to Snail tonight. Awesome sledding hill, not so much for its steepness, but more for the fact it is a giant bowl. Hard to hit anything by accident, and still plenty of snow. No more than six cars at any time I was there, and most didn't even get out of the car. Certainly not a consensus for the win.
I have yet to go to Highland, despite being here at Snelling and Randolph. I hope it is there,as Snail is pretty much about as far away as it can get, and is really suburban. Very dark. Non linear streets. No White Castle.
If it is at Snail, it could be a while before it is found. The snowpack still covers most of the ground, and the wooded sections are like Crosby.
Thanks for the report! Is the sledding hill to the east/north of Mackubin St, off the second parking lot? Just wondering. Going to scope it out tomorrow.
anyone know anything about the 1 million gallon underground reservoir in the area around snail and grass lake? Seems to me it was in the news a few years back as being structurally unsound. Maybe the plans of men thing? I know the whole area is a watershed of sorts with a lot of man made creeks and ditches.
Wedge, I can only think of it as somehow "Wedge" is Edgerton which intersects with Vadnais blvd.
"In 1888 the first train, in five sections, departed from Minneapolis with 102 cars loaded with flour destined for Boston, New York, Philadelphia, London, England, and Glasgow, Scotland.
Cardigan Junction, the Sault Ste. Marie and Atlantic RailroadÂ’s switching point, was also built in 1888, halfway between Lake Owasso and Vadnais Lake, at a cost of $3,700. Commonly known as the Soo Line, the railroad built its first station house in Minnesota at this site. Lines from St. Paul and Minneapolis came together at Cardigan Junction. Cars were uncoupled and transferred to sidetracks where they were reassembled into new trains bound for the Twin Cities. It became part of a chain of three depots: Cardigan, Carnelian and Bulwer Junction." Still looks like an active railroad, but I haven't seen clues written about any railroad. Named after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan who was famous for leading the Charge of the Light Brigade. But he was English. Interesting history about the area that I never knew, which is a reason I like this hunt.
Yes there is actually a designated sledding hill.
It's even shown on the map for the park at the county website.
Very interesting history.
Cardigan Junction history
At sixteen years I was blue ans sad.
then father said I should find a lad.
So I set out to become a wife,
An' found the real love of my life.
 Metro Bike Trails Vadnais
Are people still interested in Keller/Phalen? A lot of clues could fit there too it seems. Hmm.... :eyeroll:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1n29tJX0uM&feature=youtu.be
That seems kinda weird, doesn't it? I would think more people would be out in this nice weather.
 :sillygrin:
I have yet to go to Highland, despite being here at Snelling and Randolph. I hope it is there,as Snail is pretty much about as far away as it can get, and is really suburban. Very dark. Non linear streets. No White Castle.
If it is at Snail, it could be a while before it is found. The snowpack still covers most of the ground, and the wooded sections are like Crosby.
It can't be there then...