A sure cure for stress is a weekend trip to a lake up north. Add in a group of wonderful friends and a cabin on a lake and everyone comes away in better spirits. It was ladies weekend on Lake Mary, south of Alexandria. We got out of our cars on Friday night, walked into the cabin and left our stress behind. From then on it was relaxing, laughing, resting, and sharing — it was decompression of the best kind. Throw in a beautiful sunset with the slightest of water ripple near the shore, a sky full of twinkling stars, a deck overlooking the lake with the warmth of the sun on our backs, and wonderful conversation; five friends found it hard to pull ourselves away today to return to the cities and our upcoming Monday.
sunset
Vacation for the spirit
We’ve just returned from a most relaxing and refreshing vacation. A mere four hours north, in the land of lakes and pines, is a sure spot to restore one’s spirit. The Minnesota north woods were calling us, and we were not disappointed. The weather was perfect with highs in the 70’s and lows in the 40’s. I photographed six beautiful (and equally different) sunsets, one full moonrise, three peaceful sunrises, and many adventures in between. We caught more than our share of bass, crappies, and sunfish. We canoed over an aqua-marine lake, and hiked through the woods. And during all of these we were accompanied by the sounds of the loons – a haunting yet wonderful call. Without the distractions of television, radio, news, and city-life we quickly decompressed into a life of quiet and simple pleasures, relaxation, and the appreciation of the beauty and wonder of this area of Minnesota.
Sunflowers at sunset
Our past week’s weather has been warm with winds out of the northwest. That’s usually not something to note, except that there are wildfires in Canada and in the Pacific Northwest. The smoke from these fires has been passing through our atmosphere in Minnesota, creating hazy days and amazing sunrises and sunsets. Last night we had a quick rain shower that moved through the area in the evening. Before sunset, the rain passed and I grabbed the opportunity to see what the sunset might be like. These sunflowers were backlit by the orange sky and glowing sun; they all seemed to symbolize the warmth and golden colors that we associate with the summer months.
A quieter 4th of July
The long 4th of July holiday weekend has kept us in the Twin Cities. Rather than hurry to a northern lake, we decided to relax at home and make some shorter excursions. Between early morning bike rides, a Twins baseball game, and some tasks around the house and yard, we’ve enjoyed a relaxing weekend. On the evening of the 4th, we took our boat to Peltier Lake, one of the lakes near the edge of the metro area. The wind had been gusty all day and there was a threat of rain and storms, but it looked promising. As the sun set in the west it seemed to divide the lake and the sky. The clouds to the south kept that area in the dark, while the break to the north let the sun reflect off the sky and onto the water, almost a split-screen effect. The fishing was good, the weather held for us, and we were able to watch the fireworks all around us as we headed back to the boat landing.
Pivot sunset
My intention was to photograph the full moonrise, yet sometimes the best intentions don’t work out — as was the case when a layer of clouds hovered on the horizon to the east. After this change of plans, I decided to concentrate on the sunset that was about to take place to the west. We were south of the Twin Cities by 35 miles, but we were in the heart of an agricultural area. Minnesota farmers have been late getting their crops into the ground this year because of the rain, but it was good to see the corn pushing up. The pivot outlined the hillside in the distance, and the sun set to the side of the silos, glowing brilliantly before slipping past the horizon. Sometimes a change of plans creates new opportunities. (PS – On this Fathers’s Day, a thanks to my dad for nurturing my sense of adventure and optimism. Miss you, Dad!)
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