Writing Reflection
What a year, we started out in the Ozark Mountains near Branson Missouri. What a new experience THAT was. Next stop was the Owl’s Nest with twelve of the simply most beautiful soulful women as we all got 200-RYT Yoga Certified. Then I headed to Sedona Arizona to do a little run in the middle of the most beautiful red-rock mountain you would ever see, and drove through Cottonwood Arizona watching the breeze float through the dry-grassy fields with mountains in the background heading to visit friends in Sun City west and to see my parents for a few days in Mesa.
I spent many days in Green Bay working in the corporate headquarters there for work. We went to most whimsical and hilarious musical with friends, “Menopause, The Musical,” at the Fireside. Kicking off our running season with Bucky in Crazy Legs in Madison. I had so much fun creating a new personalize front-doormat with a friend in Appleton. Then it was off to the cutest most quaint cottage on Cedar Lake with my best childhood friend for a weekend of eating lovely homemade food crafted by my friend from the heart, writing, reminiscing and enjoying the sun on our face as we bathed by the lake.
Off to do a little California dreaming in Moorpark California to hang with my best friend of over 30-something years. We laughed, walked, talked and had some serious stuff to work through. We closed out the week in Malibu at the beach. After that I flew to Waikiki, having greetings like “Aloha kakahiaka” wherever I turned. I ran the half marathon in my 49th state. We enjoyed some fine foods and music at Dinner in the Woods in Waukesha. Then headed back up north to spend a weekend together, “Date nights” we call them; we walked along the Fox River, had dinner at Fratellos on the Waterfront and just chilled.
Then, I took some time reflecting on the states I traveled during my half marathon running journey, not really believing what was sitting before me, a map of the United States with only 1 state left. I hung out at home a lot then, after that, just to enjoy the greenery in our backyard. In June, we took a long drive up north, to spend some time camping and biking in the very big-tree forests and do a little kayaking. As we biked, over 58 miles I might add, on the newly blacktop White Bear bike trail, we stopped in Boulder Junction to walk around my old stomping grounds, at Camp Manitowish.
Later that month, on the other end of the spectrum, we headed to the city. In Chicago, we took the red-line in from a little place in the suburbs which was a new experience for both of us, and took in “Hamilton, An American Musical.” It was good, BUT not as great as everyone is making it out to be. We go to a lot of theater, so our experience might be a bit more critical.
We had friends stay at our home and I lead my first Paint Nite, trying my best not to laugh too hard as I was trying to explain what paint to brush on the page when. We went out on Rock River and enjoyed a day of kayaking.
Then we headed to Egg Harbor enjoying a weekend stay at the Landmark and taking in a show at Peninsula Players Theater.
I took a cruise, with a large group of runners to enjoy the BIGGER experience of running my final half marathon with my running peeps. I started in Seward Alaska, saw Hubbard Glaciers, Zip-lined in the mountains at Icy Point, and then ran my final state on the seacoast of Juneau. We even saw two bear cubs running across the finish line catching up with their mother and a wale.
In August, we went kayaking in Elkhart Lake, and enjoyed an evening of music, which my high school friend sings. In September we stayed at the Cornerstone in Door County. We always like bringing in fall the first part of September, when the whether turns crisp and the sun is sharp over the bay. We try to ride the Door County Century, this year we made it to Egg Harbor and back, 30 miles in all.
Currently, I am refilling my soul at a Cottage on the Bay in Brussels, near Sugar Creek County Park. And tomorrow, I’m taking in a long walk, simply taking care of me: getting a deep-tissue massage and a much needed “shampoo and cut” in Egg Harbor.
My daughter arrives tonight. Can’t wait to see her and just enjoy sitting on the deck, catching up overlooking the bay, listening to the waves hit the rocks and enjoying a good cup of jo.
It’s a beautiful sound, the water, waves, wind…
Maybe I’ll just sit and watch the water. Life is full and my cup runs over with thankfulness.
