Another wonderful adventure on my bike. I'm loving that my boyfriend is the one who suggested it! We were a little flipped out about that last trail ride, but the weather has been so gorgeous and our schedules were free...so we headed north to the bluffs.
When we hiked through the gorge earlier in the summer, we noticed all the signs for the trails. We didn't walk them because there were so many mosquitoes. It was our thought to return.
The trails are layered with wood chips that have been pushed down from use. There were about 4 different paths. Some of them had wood chips freshly laid down, which made it more challenging to bike over, but still so very beautiful. The cool part about these trails is they were free of obstacles, so you could truly observe the nature around you. At times you'd be right along the bluffs and had an spectacular view of the lake. Other parts were deeper in the greenery. I really felt like I had reached my personal heaven. I couldn't stop smiling and giggling to myself. It was so peacful...with the crunching under the bike tires and the evening sun shining through the trees, creating all sorts of patterns throughout the wooded area.
It really raised my spirits and I slept like a baby. Next trip, we're going to head out early in the morning...I can't wait!
17 August 2010
02 August 2010
Parnell Observatory Tower Revisited.
A few years ago, I posted about my visit to Parnell Observatory Tower. Since then, I've taken my sweet along with me. Last summer, we took the road trip after his shift, which around 3 or 4 in the morning. It was a dark drive in. The park wasn't even open when we arrived, but that didn't stop us. By the time we reached the top of the tower, the sun was just peeking at us and the ground fog was slowly lifting. Dave said, "I'm hanging out in the clouds with Michelle!" Sweetness. It was a short, yet brilliant experience.
Just this last Saturday, Dave suggested that we bring our bikes out and ride the hiking trail that I told him about. So, we put our bikes in the bed of the truck and headed toward the Kettle Moraine. It had just stormed the night before. To Dave, that would be part of the fun. I also have just bought a new mountain bike. I haven't been that impressed riding it around town and on the bike path...mostly because it's a monster and also, I really miss the feel of my Giant Iguana. I'm forging a new relationship, but it's still in the awkward stages. What I found out about my bike on Saturday was this: It was MEANT for the trails!
For those of you who have been out that way, you know that to get to the tower itself is quite a steep incline. I can't give you length, but it's considerable. So first we carried our bikes up those stairs before we even reached the trail. All the moisture made the mosquito activity INTENSE! We got on our bikes straight away to get moving! I had no idea what I was in for. Truly, if I would have, I never would have done it. Shit, I'm itching right now! The terrain was treacherous! Clusters of stones, tree roots, fallen trees were all hurdles. If I didn't know how to handle my bike before, well, this was a situation where there was no other choice but to figure it out! I was jealous of Dave's bike tires, they are thinner and able to get through some of the clusters of rocks, whereas mine are so big, they'd just ricochet back and forth or slide on the wetness. I thought for sure I wasn't making it off that trail without some broken appendages. Eventually, I just sucked it up and stopped fearing the worst case scenario. We thought eventually, the rough terrain would change, but, it did not! We needed to get off of our bikes for steep in/declines. That's when the mosquitoes ate us alive. It was best to be moving while on my bike, so I tried to stay there as much as possible. I cursed the trail the whole way. I was so focused on what was right in front of me, I didn't even get the chance to take notice to the beauty around me. It was a bit sad. I was so determined to get out of the wooded area that I just started attacking all the obstacles. It was as if I was telling those stones to "Fuck off! You will not bring me down! I will survive!" Pretty dramatic, but it was a dramatic situation.
When we finally got out of the treacherous trail, we noticed a family who had bikes atop their mini-van and about to embark on their adventure through the woods. Dave was given them a snapshot of the situation and I biked through saying, "I don't recommend it. Really...don't do it!"
I am thankful for the challenge. But Jesus H! That was unbelievable. I think I should have started with something a little less intense. I'm now intrigued to try the bike path along the river...I'm guessing it may be a little more user friendly.
And next time...I'm wearing more clothing. I must have 50 huge mosquito bites all over me!
Just this last Saturday, Dave suggested that we bring our bikes out and ride the hiking trail that I told him about. So, we put our bikes in the bed of the truck and headed toward the Kettle Moraine. It had just stormed the night before. To Dave, that would be part of the fun. I also have just bought a new mountain bike. I haven't been that impressed riding it around town and on the bike path...mostly because it's a monster and also, I really miss the feel of my Giant Iguana. I'm forging a new relationship, but it's still in the awkward stages. What I found out about my bike on Saturday was this: It was MEANT for the trails!
For those of you who have been out that way, you know that to get to the tower itself is quite a steep incline. I can't give you length, but it's considerable. So first we carried our bikes up those stairs before we even reached the trail. All the moisture made the mosquito activity INTENSE! We got on our bikes straight away to get moving! I had no idea what I was in for. Truly, if I would have, I never would have done it. Shit, I'm itching right now! The terrain was treacherous! Clusters of stones, tree roots, fallen trees were all hurdles. If I didn't know how to handle my bike before, well, this was a situation where there was no other choice but to figure it out! I was jealous of Dave's bike tires, they are thinner and able to get through some of the clusters of rocks, whereas mine are so big, they'd just ricochet back and forth or slide on the wetness. I thought for sure I wasn't making it off that trail without some broken appendages. Eventually, I just sucked it up and stopped fearing the worst case scenario. We thought eventually, the rough terrain would change, but, it did not! We needed to get off of our bikes for steep in/declines. That's when the mosquitoes ate us alive. It was best to be moving while on my bike, so I tried to stay there as much as possible. I cursed the trail the whole way. I was so focused on what was right in front of me, I didn't even get the chance to take notice to the beauty around me. It was a bit sad. I was so determined to get out of the wooded area that I just started attacking all the obstacles. It was as if I was telling those stones to "Fuck off! You will not bring me down! I will survive!" Pretty dramatic, but it was a dramatic situation.
When we finally got out of the treacherous trail, we noticed a family who had bikes atop their mini-van and about to embark on their adventure through the woods. Dave was given them a snapshot of the situation and I biked through saying, "I don't recommend it. Really...don't do it!"
I am thankful for the challenge. But Jesus H! That was unbelievable. I think I should have started with something a little less intense. I'm now intrigued to try the bike path along the river...I'm guessing it may be a little more user friendly.
And next time...I'm wearing more clothing. I must have 50 huge mosquito bites all over me!
30 July 2010
Days of our Lives.
I am amazed at how quickly the days go by.
In this instance, I want the next few days to go by as quickly as possible. About 45 days ago, I made the decision to move away from my roommate...an illness that I needed to rid myself of. It's been a long time coming and now here we are, just days away from no longer having that negative energy in my home.
It couldn't have worked out better for me. I'm actually staying and my boyfriend is moving in. So, I really made out on this deal. I do empathize with my soon to be ex-roommate. She has so much shit to move. And I know that she wasn't happy with our living situation either. The only difference is that she tried to change me instead of changing her situation for herself.
This whole experience has made me realize just how important good communication skills are. Our whole social experience can be made or unmade by our communication techniques.
I'm excited to be comfortable in my intimate arena. I'm excited to create a peaceful space with my boyfriend. I'm really happy about the days to come. I just hope I can get through the next few unscathed.
In this instance, I want the next few days to go by as quickly as possible. About 45 days ago, I made the decision to move away from my roommate...an illness that I needed to rid myself of. It's been a long time coming and now here we are, just days away from no longer having that negative energy in my home.
It couldn't have worked out better for me. I'm actually staying and my boyfriend is moving in. So, I really made out on this deal. I do empathize with my soon to be ex-roommate. She has so much shit to move. And I know that she wasn't happy with our living situation either. The only difference is that she tried to change me instead of changing her situation for herself.
This whole experience has made me realize just how important good communication skills are. Our whole social experience can be made or unmade by our communication techniques.
I'm excited to be comfortable in my intimate arena. I'm excited to create a peaceful space with my boyfriend. I'm really happy about the days to come. I just hope I can get through the next few unscathed.
18 July 2010
What a year!
What a year this has been!
What a wild ride!
I'm ready to start writing again...inspired by my good friend Chester. I've been journaling this whole time, which I'm surprised that I had the time for. But the way I see it, there is a time to live and then there is a time to reflect on the living you've done.
I subscribe to a weekly reflection. When I was younger, it was called the Sabbath. Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Biblically speaking, that's the time that was set aside for us to rest and connect with the most important people in our lives. A time of inspiration. A time to regroup and visualize the direction that we want to proceed. Although I no longer go to church, or consider myself religious, I still hold fast to this theory. It's important to have a goal and a vision. It's important to sit with that vision and create its existence in your life. And that takes a little time. A little time to just be and really feel it.
I haven't been able to really keep up on those reflections. Not ideally. This last year, with taking my certification classes and teaching, much of me was put to the side. Funny, it was when I needed it the most!
It's been on month since school's let out. One month since I became a licensed teacher. I reflect on the work that it took. I reflect on my accomplishments and my failures. It was all so intense. And now, I sit and listen to what my body is telling me. It's taken me this whole month to feel like myself again. I often think, Holy Shit! How in the hell did I pull that off? But, I did. And so, I smile. My life is forever changed because of all that hard work. I wish I could have been that focused earlier in my life. I wish I would have believed in myself earlier. But, water under the bridge...it happened and that's all that matters.
Now my mind is focused in a new direction. Similar in the way that I need to find a teaching position, but I'm standing on different ground one year later. I've gotten even more tools to use to make the differences that I want in my arena. I understand clearer effectiveness, efficiency, and the overall rhythm that exists. I'm not pretending that I'm going to start going into classrooms and change the whole system...well, not right away. However, I'm prepared now to continue planting seeds. A heartier version of the seeds that I have been planting.
I've got hope. That's what this rest has given me.
What a wild ride!
I'm ready to start writing again...inspired by my good friend Chester. I've been journaling this whole time, which I'm surprised that I had the time for. But the way I see it, there is a time to live and then there is a time to reflect on the living you've done.
I subscribe to a weekly reflection. When I was younger, it was called the Sabbath. Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Biblically speaking, that's the time that was set aside for us to rest and connect with the most important people in our lives. A time of inspiration. A time to regroup and visualize the direction that we want to proceed. Although I no longer go to church, or consider myself religious, I still hold fast to this theory. It's important to have a goal and a vision. It's important to sit with that vision and create its existence in your life. And that takes a little time. A little time to just be and really feel it.
I haven't been able to really keep up on those reflections. Not ideally. This last year, with taking my certification classes and teaching, much of me was put to the side. Funny, it was when I needed it the most!
It's been on month since school's let out. One month since I became a licensed teacher. I reflect on the work that it took. I reflect on my accomplishments and my failures. It was all so intense. And now, I sit and listen to what my body is telling me. It's taken me this whole month to feel like myself again. I often think, Holy Shit! How in the hell did I pull that off? But, I did. And so, I smile. My life is forever changed because of all that hard work. I wish I could have been that focused earlier in my life. I wish I would have believed in myself earlier. But, water under the bridge...it happened and that's all that matters.
Now my mind is focused in a new direction. Similar in the way that I need to find a teaching position, but I'm standing on different ground one year later. I've gotten even more tools to use to make the differences that I want in my arena. I understand clearer effectiveness, efficiency, and the overall rhythm that exists. I'm not pretending that I'm going to start going into classrooms and change the whole system...well, not right away. However, I'm prepared now to continue planting seeds. A heartier version of the seeds that I have been planting.
I've got hope. That's what this rest has given me.
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