This beards.org photo shoot with Scott took place three miles from Prince’s Paisley Park.  And I did not know it at the time.  What’s more is that I’d driven right by Paisley Park on the way to and from the photo shoot without even noticing it.  I was a visitor to the area.

Scott wanted a photo shoot at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.  He even sprang for the fee for the Arboretum’s photography permit.  It was a perfect location for a photo shoot.  Little did I know, however, that we were in Prince’s neighborhood.

Following the shock of Prince’s sudden passing this week, I was curious to learn more about his Paisley park studio and residence.  I was surprised to discover that it is right next to Arboretum Boulevard, the main route to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.   According to Google maps, it is a distance of three miles from Paisley Park to the Arboretum.

I never would have been considered to be a big Prince fan.  I liked “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” well enough to buy the album.  Apart from that, I was familiar with some of his music by hearing it played on the radio.  But I did not really follow him.

I never saw Prince with a beard.  I took notice when he appeared with surprisingly dense stubble, sculpted into designer shapes.  I would have liked to see him grow it all out at least once.

Now that he is suddenly gone, I’ve learned a lot more about him.  I admire his fierce independence as well as his extraordinary musical talent.  What really surprised and pleased me were the numerous accounts of the many ways he interacted with and remained a part of his hometown community.

I’ve gained a new appreciation for Prince and wish that I’d done so while he was still alive.  I’m sorry that I passed by his house twice in one day without even knowing it was there or that he might have been there.

Rest in peace, Prince Rogers Nelson.