Since I arrived in Minneapolis 4 days ago, I have had 2 wonderful rides – 20 miles and 46 miles, strolled through Wood Lake Nature Preserve, had a quiet day because of rain, visited UMinn campus and Medical Center. I have been so engaged in my rides that I have not taken as many pictures along the way. Weather was in 90’s for the 20 mile ride and in the upper 70’s for the 46 mile ride. Minneapolis has great cycling and walking trail system – wide enough to accommodate cyclists and walking safely.
On Sunday we drove down Lake Street in the areas that sustained the most damage during the protests after the George Floyd murder and drove as near to Chicago and 38th where the murder occurred as we could. Lest we forget. I finished listening to Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste on the drive from Des Moines to Minneapolis. I feel like I have a better understanding of how we have gotten to where were are in this country with respect to race and privilege. I have much more to learn.
Tonight I went to a friend’s son’s baseball game. Weather was chilly for a late June evening – I was in layers but many hearty Minnesotans were shorts and T-shirts. The players were all about 9 years old and pitching was via a machine. Rules were modified for each child to get maximum skill development experience. There were a few girls on the teams. I watched A LOT of youth and high school baseball games with my 3 brothers. It was fun to get back into the rhythm of being a encouraging spectator and analyzing the “batter’s stance”. Beside the game I had great fun pitching to the 7 and 5 year old younger brothers as they tired of the game. I got some exercise chasing the balls. I don’t think I had very good pitching stats.
Tomorrow I am off to Lake Pepin, a wide part of the Mississippi River between WI and MN. We will cycle and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It is sort of like a vacation within a vacation.
I am doing pretty well at living in the moment and not thinking about my next chapter. I have the logo for my website and much of the writing for it is done as well. I hope to be able to engage my brain in a few online courses about Health Advocacy business before I arrive back in Nashville after July 4th. I have been hoping to do this for the past month so I am not holding my breath. I need another rainy day.
Tamara Unleashed 