summer

Into the sunrise, as we transition to fall

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Somewhere in the distance the call of autumn can be heard. It’s faint and far-off right now, but it’s noticeable in small ways. There’s a change in the slant of the sun, and the air has a different smell. Some days dawn with warmth, and others have a cool chill – a sign of the seasonal change.

Even the call of the loons is different. It seems more lonely, especially as it rises above the steam coming off the lake. There will soon be a change in the migrating birds, both those coming and those leaving. The wood ducks have been sighted as they are passing through in their journey from north to south. The Canada geese have taught their young how to fly and soon, after their wings have strengthened significantly, they too will head south. With the rapidly decreasing daylight hours, the hummingbirds are active now in preparation for their departure. And the adult loons will soon be leaving, followed later by the juveniles.

There is a “weathered” color to the leaves now. The once-vibrant greens have faded, and we are starting to see hints of color. That symphony of color will only grow and crescendo in another four to six weeks. The steam will continue to rise off the lake in the mornings until the water temperature plummets below the air temperature.

It’s all a reminder to me of the passage of time, the preparation needed for the transition to winter, and the importance of appreciating each and every day and relishing the opportunity to embrace what is offered up to us.

Turning into winter

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Today was a morning to pull out my warm winter coat, hat, and gloves for my daily walk. With a cold start to the dawn at 18 degrees, I was treated to tiny and intricate bits of frost decorating the fallen leaves. I marveled at our passing into yet another season, and couldn’t help but think back to warmer temperatures and a now-distant summer.

At the end of August we set out on a three-week camping trip. We left northwest Wisconsin and traveled through Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming – admiring the landscape changes and the beauty that’s found in every state. We drove through prairies, sunflower fields, and canyons. We enjoyed sunsets and moon rises. We camped with family while in Utah, where I was fortunate to catch my first trout!

We took in the majesty of the relatively-snow-less Teton Mountain Range and we stood in awe of the immensity of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

We journeyed back through the big-sky state of Montana and finished our trip in the badlands of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with the fall colors beginning to appear alongside the Little Missouri River valley.

So on these clear cold days leading further into winter, I especially enjoy the chance to revisit and appreciate the warmth and expansiveness, as well as the beauty and the variety of landscapes that we enjoyed a mere two months ago as we journeyed west.

Summertime!

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We are in the middle of summer. Warm temps, sunshine, and those carefree days to be spent outside. As we get older we forget how precious the summer days are. The bright sunlight is something to soak up, and the summer-worthy adventures are waiting out the door.

The recent thunderstorms that developed and rolled through the area are a reminder that even the dark clouds eventually depart and the summer sun will appear yet again. To reach up and out to the sun, to embrace all its warmth and light – those are the reminders of how we’re to enjoy summer.

A softness to peony season

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Spring seems to have been our shortest season this year. As soon as the snow went out of the landscape, green appeared. And yet now we’re already on the other side of spring into summer. We’ve had days of record-setting heat and humidity in the past week – a true reminder that June weather can bring just about anything.

The peonies in my garden burst into a riotous bloom a few weeks ago. There were shades of pink, red, magenta, maroon, white, and even a lovely coral. This is the one time of year I wish for no rain. May and June rains tend to be downpours, with raindrops falling hard through the sky and pelting any flower petals. This year we missed some of the heaviest rain, and the peony blossoms remained and came into full bloom.

I’m lucky to have some plants that are from my mother and father’s yard in Kansas. They’ve adjusted to our Minnesota weather, and I especially enjoy seeing those particular peonies come into bloom. My parents referred to peonies as “memorial flowers.” In Kansas they hoped the peonies would bloom right before Memorial Day so they could pick arm loads of them to place on the grave sites of family and relatives. I’ve since learned that tradition came after the Civil War when peonies were placed on the graves of fallen soldiers on what was then called Decoration Day. It was (and is still) a small gesture, but the remembrance and commitment is so much larger.

Michigan bicycling

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After a full day of driving from northern Wisconsin, we traded our car wheels for bicycle wheels (and a ferry ride) to explore parts of Michigan. For the next six days of riding we enjoyed new friends, new sights and scenery, new bike trails, and local foods.

We started with a ride on the North Central State Trail taking us to the tip of the mitten, or the tip of the mainland of Michigan. A short ferry ride took us and our bikes to Mackinac Island which is surrounded by the Straits of Mackinac and Lake Huron. The early mornings were truly amazing as the sun rose over the bay. Unique to this island, cars and motorized vehicles were banned in 1898. The three main modes of transport are on foot, on bicycle, and via horse carriages and carts. Victorian architecture abounds, as do hanging baskets of flowers, and numerous fudge shops (even more of a reason to put in the bike miles!). We rode the shoreline route called M-185 around the island. This is a state highway, yet it is the only highway in the country that doesn’t allow motorized vehicles. There were plenty of sites to explore including Fort Mackinac which was originally founded by the British in 1780, later transferred to the Americans, then captured by the British, and eventually returned to the United States after the War of 1812.

With a ferry ride back to the mainland, we continued riding south and west, following the shoreline of Lake Michigan. On a cool and cloudy morning we left Petoskey and followed the Little Traverse Wheelway to Charlevoix. The boardwalk section of the trail was a great change from the pavement, and we were far enough north to see peaks of fall color showing in the trees. As luck would have it, the rain held off and we remained dry.

Our cycling climbing ability was put to the test as we continued south into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With twists and turns, slow climbs uphill followed by quick downhills, we rode through the forests and around the wetlands, lakes, rivers, and dunes that make up this park. To see a sand dune over 1,000 feet tall that descends straight down to the shore of Lake Michigan is truly amazing. Here the landscape is constantly changing from wind and wave action.

These parts of Michigan are known for their cherries and peaches. After a long day’s ride it was a welcome treat to enjoy cherry pie and peach shortcake, both served by obligation with vanilla ice cream! Our ride took us further south along the Lake Michigan shoreline past lakes and small villages, eventually ending our trip in Beulah along the shore of Crystal Lake. With a sense of accomplishment and a new appreciation for the beauty of the area, we traded our bicycles in for car wheels for the return trip home.