Summerpics: Just before the Republican Convention

Minneapolis is crowded.  The convention really takes place in Saint Paul but that isn't a very big place so it's all spilled into here.  I took these photos yesterday.  Lots of cop cars and police buses (for protesters) line many streets.  Lots of helicopters going over everything all the time makes it sound like I'm in a Vietnam Movie.  Today there was lots and lots of National Guard everywhere.  I didn't have my camera out today but you know what they look like.  I knew the hotels here would be used but I was surprised at all the people going to the Minneapolis Convention Center yesterday.  So they are using that all, too, for something fun.  Last night long tents lined the Mississippi for night parties, and the whole Stone Arch Bridge (an old train bridge now a pedestrian bridge over the river) was closed for a huge party.