Our weather has been warm and humid, leaving two options for coping. First is to find some air conditioning and sequester yourself inside. Second is to hunt out a nearby lake and take in the cool breeze that blows across the surface. I sought out the second option one night this past week, as did others. The wind blew across this urban lake, rustling through the trees and dropping the temps considerably. A beautiful sunset was all that was needed to tell me that I’d chosen the better option. This couple seemed to be thinking the same thing, and relishing the end of another midsummer’s day.
Month: July 2015
Bicycling again
After an unusually long hibernation, our bicycles have come out of storage and onto the roads and trails again. Although the bikes adjust quickly, it takes a bit longer for us to get our riding legs back in condition. We enjoyed two rides this weekend on the Gateway Trail. Minnesota has wonderful biking and recreation trails, and the Gateway is one of my favorites. This trail wanders from downtown Saint Paul, through the city, into the suburbs, and then out into the countryside passing farms, fields, lakes, and wetlands. The trail has numerous bridges that go over the main streets and roads, making it much safer for riders and drivers. Built on an old railroad bed, it was the perfect trail for us to help acclimate back to riding form. The weekend was a great reminder of how much I enjoy being on a bike, taking in the sounds and smells around me, and reveling in the trail and the physical exercise.
Summer sunset
While in the Kansas City area last weekend, I marveled in a summer sunset over a field of wildflowers. I stole away from the busy activities of a picnic and walked across the acreage that my parents had purchased years ago for the family’s enjoyment. This evening I wanted to drink in the peace and beauty of the hayfield that hadn’t been cleared yet and the plethora of wildflowers that were blooming. The rains and lack of heat had allowed the flowers to bloom in profusion. The rudbeckia covered the hillside and seemed to glow in the golden light of the sunset. As I sat beside the pond at the close of day I was filled with a sense of gratitude for the beauty before me, my parents, my family, and for this lovely bit of property.
Family on the 4th
The Fourth of July is celebrated many ways, and this year for me that meant family. We made a trip to the Kansas City area to spend the weekend with family and friends; that meant good barbeque, cold beers, a summer sunset over a field of wildflowers, an orange full moon rising in the east, catching up with friends, a boat ride on a local lake, and even a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium between the KC Royals and the Minnesota Twins. The series is always a good one, and on this night we celebrated a Twins win followed by a huge fireworks show at the stadium. So many things to be proud of on July 4th, and so many things and people to be thankful for too.
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