In Search of the Super Moon

In the cool of the evening, we decided to go for a walk around Willow Lake. The mosquitoes are hungry so we covered ourselves in an all-natural repellent and were on our way.

Our Pup always joins us. We were alone on the 2 mile hike around the lake. The fireflies were not out yet, so our children chased dragonflies instead.
Wildflowers were found. Charlotte found a wild iris too.

The boys found sticks for poking in the mud and water. As I got lost in the field of daisies.

We spotted deer prints and felled trees (from the recent storm).

We have fallen back into those familiar and comfortable rhythms of a family being together. It feels good to be "home" again.

Willow Lake is peaceful. Even though it is close to a major highway near St. Paul, we felt like we were in our own special place. We had the woods and pathways and lake to ourselves. 

The old walkway that crosses over the lake was tilting and yet, still very sturdy. Water lilies are abundant. We know there are many different types of fishes in this lake, but we didn't see any and weren't there to fish, but rather wander.

Waiting for the "Super Moon" to appear...

As our children are in their own imaginary adventures as knights, ninjas or superheros.

And then we waited. A lone swan floated across the lake from where we were. The fireflies emerged and flashed their love light songs. The natural mosquito repellent began to wear off and it was past bedtime. And then, a hint of orange appeared on the horizon.

There it was! The "Super Moon" and then...clouds.

As we walked on in the darkness of the woods, with the fireflies flickering along the path, we held hands and were thankful for moments like this. Sometimes things don't go the way we plan; clouds get in the way.
We did see a most beautiful sunset ~ created by the Master. He makes a different one every night and the clouds make it spectacular.

A Walk on New Year's Day

"An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." ~ Henry David Thoreau

"Farewell we call to hearth and hall! Though wind may blow and rain may fall. We must away ere the break of day. Far over wood and mountain tall."  ~ J R R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

"There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country. A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken at the right tempo."  ~ Paul Scott Mowrer

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."  ~ John Muir

"We shall not cease from exploration and in the end of all our exploring will be to arrive at where we started and know the place for the first time."  ~ T S Eliot

"The place where you lose a trail is not necessarily the place where it ends."  ~  Tom Brown, Jr.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast, you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."  ~  Eddie Cantor

"The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy; walk and be healthy. The best way to lengthen out our days is the walk steadily and with a purpose."  ~  Charles Dickens

"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."  ~  Ursula K LeGuin

"If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk."  ~  Raymond Inmon

"It is good to collect things; it is better to take walks."  ~  Anatole France

"It is not talking but walking that will bring us to heaven."  ~  Matthew Henry

"I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards."  ~  Abraham Lincoln

"Singing the same song at a different tone, in thoughts, destined to die, unknown. Born unto a world not of our own, we walked together, walking alone."  ~  Michael R Anderson

"Don't think you're on the right road just because it's a well-beaten path."  ~  Unknown

"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time."  ~  Steven Wright

"Of all exercises walking is the best."  ~  Thomas Jefferson