Yesterday was the epitome of an early fall day – cloudy and cool in the morning, but clearing skies and warm sun. We took advantage of the day and left the Cities early, heading west to Howard Lake, Minnesota. Our first stop was Swenson Gardens, the essential place for peonies. We had visited there a year ago, but this time we were getting advice on dividing and planting peonies. Keith and Becky offered they personal help and guidance and we left with plenty of information and three new peony plants for our home garden. As the sun was breaking through the clouds, we wandered south a few miles to Carlson’s Orchard. The bakery and restaurant were doing a bustling business, and a wait was required but certainly worth every minute. We had a delicious lunch, followed by fresh apple pie a la mode. The orchard was filled with apples, and the beautiful red Haralsons stood out against the blue and white sky and green of the trees and grass. One more stop at a winery for some tasting and a glass of wine in the sun made for a full and relaxing day.
landscapes
Quiet at dawn on Lake Como
Yesterday’s cool rain cleared overnight, but left pockets of fog in some of the low-lying areas. The stars came out with the promise of sunshine today. I was up before dawn this morning and went to Lake Como. The air was still — no wind to form ripples or waves across the lake, and the fog that was expected hadn’t settled in over the water. Gradually the dawn sky was growing lighter. The canoes and kayaks that are available for rent rested in place on the dock, waiting for today’s patrons. The peace and quiet were a welcome relief from the busyness and crowds that are a short mile away converging on the Minnesota State fairgrounds.
Too much rainfall
We wandered south of the Twin Cities yesterday on a dreary, rainy Saturday. August has been unusually wet with heavy downpours occurring frequently, resulting in high rivers and standing water in many fields. All this was noticeable as we drove through the countryside, but it became more apparent on a stop in the town of Cannon Falls. Here, the Little Cannon River flows alongside and through the town. In a “normal” August, average rainfall for Cannon Falls is four inches. To date this month they have had close to double that – almost eight inches. And with yesterday’s rain continuing to fall, it was obvious as the river stretched out of its banks. The falls were roaring and tossing the brown, sediment-filled water into the air as it tumbled toward the Cannon River which then flows on to the Mississippi River.
Sunrise down a gravel road
I awoke this morning before the sunrise, grabbed my camera, and headed out the door. We were in Kansas for a family wedding. The weather had been as perfect as is possible for August in Kansas – low humidity, sunshine, and temps in the 80’s. But this morning the air was fresh and cooled, and the fog hung low in the valleys. As I drove down gravel roads, the dust hung in the golden air and the sunlight glistened off the telephone lines and the grasses. My nephew and his lovely bride were married in a garden setting yesterday, surrounded by family and friends. It was lovely and it was just as they had hoped – a true expression of who they are individually and who they are as a couple. As I was greeting the morning with an appreciation of the scenery and a new day, I was hoping that this first day of their life as husband and wife would be a beautiful omen of their future together. Congrats to them; and I’m so proud of their family that has showered them with love.
A rough start to a weekend trail ride
The weather forecast last Saturday morning was for thunderstorms and one to two inches of rain; not what you want to hear when setting out on a two-day, 120-mile bike trip. As we were driving to our starting point the skies darkened, the clouds billowed and rolled, and we saw lightning around us. Soon the rain started. We arrived in Osakis, Minnesota planning to ride the Central Lakes Trail. The rain continued while we wandered the antique stores in town and enjoyed a leisurely brunch, all the while watching the radar. Finally the summer storm moved through the area and the rain stopped. We packed our lightly-loaded gear and started on the trail. The clouds kept the ride cool and the tail winds helped push us through the countryside. We marveled at the scenery of farmland, barns, lakes, marshlands, and prairie, not to mention the birds, deer, turkeys, and gophers. Sixty miles and hours later, we arrived at Fergus Falls. In dire need of a warm shower, liquids, and food, our motel with its bar and grill was the perfect answer. We enjoyed watching the Twins win their baseball game while outside another storm was moving through, with heavy downpours accompanied with lightning and thunder. Sunday dawned with cooler temps and sunshine, and our luck held as the winds had changed direction after the storm and would once again be at our backs for the return trip. We toured through Fergus Falls, stopping at the dam and falls in downtown and at the world’s largest otter, Otto (this is Otter Tail County, after all). Then it was another 60 mile ride back to our awaiting car. We arrived tired and sweaty, but found a perfect antidote with a dip in Lake Osakis and root beer floats at the Tip Top Dairy in town. We had weathered the weather, explored a new trail, enjoyed the scenery, and had a great adventure in a short 36-hours.
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