Trail of two cities hike
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 9:30am
Meet at Longfellow Grill, 2990 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Join hike leader Nanette Hanks on August 17th for a “Trail in Two Cities” hike. We will meet at 9:20 am at Longfellow Grill in Minneapolis (the first city of the west) and hike along the Mississippi River crossing over to St. Paul (the last city of the east) to circle back to our starting point. We will begin hiking at 9:30 so don't be late.
This hike will be about 5 miles total along paved paths at a moderate pace.
Reminder - Summer is tick and mosquito season. Bug repellant, sunscreen and water are suggested. Plan to stay after the hike for lunch at the Longfellow Grill! Great outdoor seating and a delightful menu. Longfellow Grill is located at 2990 West River Parkway in Minneapolis.
Sign ups for this event are through the member portal --
Your completed form will be used to be sure everyone who signs up has arrived before the start of the hike. Newcomers are welcome!
Upcoming Events
Nanette leads a trail of two cities hike.
10:30 a.m. check in; 10:45 boarding; cruise from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Join UMRA friends and colleagues for a summer cruise and lunch aboard the Paradise Destiny II on beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Paul Maravelas, sailor, historian, and author of The History of Big Island, Lake Minnetonka will join us to share stories from 200+ years of lake-dwellers. Come early or stay after the cruise to explore Excelsior, a charming small town on the big lake.
Ticket price includes lunch: chef's sandwich, garden salad, fruit, chips, and cookies. Coffee, iced tea, and lemonade are complimentary and there will be a cash bar for other beverages. A vegetarian sandwich can be selected during registration.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss the debut novel Buckeye by Patrick Ryan when it meets via Zoom at 2 pm. on Friday, August 21.
You are invited to join the discussion of The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents 1773-1783 by Joseph J. Ellis.
The theme for September is "Monuments."
Bev leads a Lake of the Isles hike with Isles Bun & Coffee afterwards.
.
Critical issues facing detained immigrants and their families will be discussed.
UMRA’s September Living Well Workshop will feature Carol Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, interim dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School and interim executive vice president for Health Affairs. She is an internationally recognized cancer surgeon-scientist who also brings considerable leadership and administrative experience.
A 1978 short story collection by American author John Cheever.
Professor Arun Saldanha, the featured speaker for the first luncheon forum of UMRA’s 2026–27 program year, will examine how tourism has evolved in an era shaped by pandemics, climate concerns, and changing global realities; and encourage us to think about what it means to be thoughtful, responsible, and curious travelers.
The architecture in Iceland is as spare as the culture -- honest and simple.
Michelle Trudeau-Spanjers leads the hike at William O'Brien State Park.
Topics include longevity, distributions, long term care, Social Security, and comprehensive planning.
The theme for October is "Hands."
UMRA’s second “Campus Conversation” with a University leader will offer UMRA members an exclusive opportunity to meet with John Morris, president and CEO of the University of Minnesota Foundation. The focus of the conversation will be the role of the foundation and its relationship to retirees.
Jon C leads the hike at Nerstrand Big Woods with lunch afterwards.
.
Discuss long term care options with Fred Andersen.
Bob & Jean Hall and Andy Whitman, participants.