Walking Old Paths and Finding New Joy

I've been away for most of the month of June. I was house sitting for my amazing mom while she was in Alaska for three weeks. Mom lives in Hudson, Wisconsin, which is just twenty minutes from Stillwater, Minnesota--the town I lived in for the better part of the last twenty-five years.

During my time in the Upper Midwest I reveled in the springtime weather--warm days, cool nights and long nights by the way. Sunsets lingered well toward 9 PM, which felt wonderfully indulgent when spent out walking or on the screened porch with a glass of wine.

I walked many times in Stillwater, daily in Hudson, and I took one big hike in Afton State Park to film an episode of Wander on Purpose. Here's the link: Wander on Purpose, Episode 11.

On all my walks I had that wonderful sense of having been there before but at the same time, seeing it anew because of my time away. What a wonderful way to time travel inside one's own life. I strongly encourage revisiting old paths with new eyes--it's a bit of magic!

I'll leave you with a few highlights from my time away--the bear in the neighbor's yard, the summer solstice sunset, and my geeky walking companions on Brown's Creek State Trail. I hope your summer finds you walking and smiling on paths both old and new.

A very large bear. He was quite thrilled to find the neighbor's bird feeder. That's it in pieces at his feet--down there by his claws.

Oh what a gorgeous way to mark the solstice. I was out walking when I took this photo! So happy to share it with you!

These two youngsters were doing their best to figure out the meaning of the yellow line on Brown's Creek State Trail. Shortly after I took this pic they jumped the fence and headed for the woods. Some folks just aren't meant for pavement. I completely understand . . .