Precious Blessings!

My Independence Day was filled with precious blessings including pancakes, bacon, coffee, biking, family, friends, fireworks and heat! (Yes, it was the same temp in MN as in FL!) 

After breakfast, I set out to explore one of the first Rails to Trails projects in the country via bicycle, The Heartland State Trail in Minnesota. The 49-mile trail from Park Rapids to Cass Lake is a beautiful paved trail with views of lakes, rivers, forests and wildlife.  My trek began at Anderson’s Cove on Steamboat Bay heading north to Cass Lake only covering 31 miles (hey wait a minute, I did 18 two days ago). A couple miles down the trail, two deer were grazing with not a care in the world…precious blessings!  

Look hard; it's difficult to take pictures and bike at the same time!

Made it to Cass Lake!

At Cass Lake I headed east on the Mi-gi-zi Trail to circle around Pike Bay. 

How far is it?

End of Mi-gi-zi trail...darn trees!

Unfortunately the area endured severe thunderstorms and strong winds two days before making it difficult to complete the trail. I ventured off the Mi-gi-zi trail to Pike Bay Loop and continued south around Pike Bay, however, this soon ended too as the road was blocked by downed trees.  There were several people on the road surveying the area; a crew from Walker who specialized in tree trimming. I overheard one talking on the cell phone, “Get all our equipment up here right now, there’s money to be made!” And that was the truth (unfortunately or fortunately, depending on who you are).   Doug, a cabin owner and bicyclist from Grand Forks was surveying the damage, securing his cabin and clearing the dock so he could relax and enjoy a beer. Precious blessings!

Pike Bay Loop Road...not lookin' good

The end of the road!

Unless I wanted to carry my bicycle over downed trees, the only option was to turn around and go back the way I came, so that I did.  Three-quarters of the way back, I decided to take a rest.  There was an opening on the side of the trail that was an invitation to lay back and watch the clouds go by and that I did until I pulled out my phone for a weather update and realized once again severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect. I peered behind me and realized I better get my butt on that bike and high-tail it back home. As if the first 27 miles were not enough exercise, the last 4 were pure endurance with those black clouds behind me…sure got the blood pumping. Back home safe and sound…precious blessings!

Bridge over troubled water!!

The storm blew over just in time for an afternoon siesta outside on the anti-gravity chair… precious blessings!

The possession of laziness brought an early end to the night; I skipped fireworks for a movie and bed…precious blessings!

“My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!”

~Thomas Jefferson