∞

Due to me not wanting to cross traffic and at the lights I decided to just create a route on the fly which took me to a place I was 2 years ago in hopes an actual “trail” was there now. No change but just look how the trees are planted… I think they should do something here it would be amazing!

Sunlit forest path winds through dense greenery and trees, creating a serene natural setting with light filtering from behind.

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We are going to have a lot of new sidewalks soon on a pretty normal go to running route. It will be nice but today’s run made more challenging as it was more like a trail run.

Dirt road leads uphill through a grassy area with trees.

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Well that was a warm run today after yesterdays pleasant morning. I really wasn’t looking at my watch for time or anything and kept trying to slow down as I really wanted a nice recovery run. However, maybe the heat kept me at a faster clip than I was thinking as I just wanted to get done.

Lush green trees and shrubs surround a small, still pond reflecting the foliage. Sunlight filters through the dense canopy creating a serene woodland setting.

∞

I actually felt today like I could have gone longer but no sense in overdoing it. I had hoped for this millage on my run today but I really didn’t think it would happen. Normally 15 miles is like my nemesis and some sort of disaster happens but this was a completely different experience today.

A paved path stretches through a dense forest, with sunlight filtering through green trees and creating dappled shadows on the ground.

Three deer standing on a dirt path, surrounded by dense green foliage, with a curving road in the background.

∞

Another Chapter Closed 📕

A month ago, the title was officially signed over, and a cashier’s check was placed in my hand for the sale of what was once our camper, golf cart, and, in theory, our seasonal spot at Kiesler’s in Waseca, MN. It’s been two years since we traded in our RV for a larger camper at that same location. But now, as the time came to move on from that chapter, we’re also moving on from the entire campsite. This transition seemed to affect our youngest the most—not because of the camper itself but more because she had really embraced everything the campsite had to offer and loved being there. With the kids growing up, and our older two preferring to spend more time with friends back home during the summer, the weekends at the campsite were naturally winding down.

Fortunately, we were able to enjoy one final day with our youngest as we packed up the last of our belongings. It was truly a fun 24 hours, where we didn’t just do the usual things but also embraced the novelty of not having all our regular items in the camper—most of which we had cleaned out the weekend before.

On Friday night, we biked to dinner, which turned out to be its own little adventure since the first place we tried was closed. We eventually landed at the Boathouse, sitting outside on the porch, where we spotted a bald eagle and a rainbow while waiting for our food.

A person in a pink tie-dye shirt is cycling on a paved path next to a body of water and greenery, with another bike visible in the foreground.

A smiling person with braces stands by a lake with boats docked nearby under a partly cloudy sky.

A rainbow arcs over a body of water beneath a cloudy sky.

Then obviously even with the little rain that fell on us on the way back to the camper after diner we had to make one last fire in the fire pit!

A person in a pink hoodie is roasting a marshmallow over a decorative fire pit at night.

The next morning, with no food left in the camper, we picked up some waffles on a stick from the camp store and enjoyed them by the water.

A man and a child are smiling while holding ice cream cones in a golf cart by a lake.

April was unable to make the treck the night before with having to work a whole day at school but she came and joined us for a half of day Saturday morning. So we made one last trip through the trails at the nearby Maplewood park, soaking in the final moments of our time there.

Person wearing a pink hoodie walks up a concrete path surrounded by dense green foliage and trees in a forest setting.

It has been a great couple of years at Kieslers and having a more permament campsite to go retreat to during the summer but onto the next chapter. I am sure we will go back as “weekenders” but I double we will take up permanent residence again.

A man and woman are smiling in front of a Zinger RV

∞

I thought the weather was going to be nice and cool with the overcast sky and breeze. Not to mention I was in need of some coffee so did a coffee run which was good but warmer than I anticipated. Well the coffee was good and helpful for work today. 🤷‍♂️

A hand grips two colorful bags of “Outwood Coffee,” featuring “FUTURIST - Caramelly & Citrusy - Whole Bean Coffee, 12oz/340g,” set against a dark, blurred outdoor background.

∞

Nothing about this was really enjoyable during the run but after I was reminded it was good to get done. After having some cooler days and running in the morning last week these evening runs have felt like real work.

Foreground wildflowers and grasses stand in a lush green field, set beneath a partly cloudy sky with the sun shining brightly overhead. A distant tree line demarcates the horizon.

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Day was too nice out to again not go on a run. My legs were heavy but kept prodding along as it was nice out and a long week ahead so needed to front load some miles.

Gravel path winding through lush, dense forest with sunlight filtering through tree leaves, set against a clear blue sky.

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Well I wasn’t planning on running but the weather is amazing out. Not to mention a kid was game to bike along with so I jump on her excitement.

A man smiling at the camera while a girl rides a bicycle beside him on a paved road in a sunny park-like setting with trees and a house in the background.

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Couldn’t pass up the nice weather today so decided to go for a run on the trails north of my house. I was shocked to find the boardwalk mostly covered and I had to turn around as I came across another flooded out area.

Wooden boardwalk meanders through overgrown grass and dense foliage beneath a vibrant blue sky, suggesting a nature trail or forest path. Surrounding plants create a wild, lush environment.

A dirt path partially submerged in water extends through tall reeds and grass, surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky.

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Last week before kids have school next week with our youngest having to catch a bus before 7am 😳. So I figured I would take advantage again of a not so early but still early morning run before I figure out a new routine next week.

A fallen tree hangs across a dirt path within a dense, green forest.

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GOTOES for Strava

I was doing some blog gardening today and stumbled across a picture I took when hiking to Estes Cone back in 2017 with my wife. We were out there for a wedding, and my good friend was telling us it was a “casual” walk, to which my wife didn’t agree after we got back that night. Anyway, as I was doing my usual cleanup, I realized it would be great to find my Strava activity from that day, as I was almost 100% certain I had it from back then, which I did, using a Fitbit Surge. 😱

The problem was that the hike got split into two files: a 4 mile section and a 2 mile section, either due to user or watch error, as I can’t remember now. So, wanting to clean things up, I figured it would be great if I could combine these files and make one entry to link to on my blog from this post.

Enter GOTOES, the web based app that can track repair, merge, and edit GPS files. Honestly, it was as simple as that. I downloaded both of my original GPS files from Strava, deleted those Strava activities (if you don’t do that, when you try to upload the new file, it will say it’s a duplicate), used the Combine / Repair FIT, GPX, or TCX Files app from GOTOES to export a file that combined both of those activities, then uploaded it back to Strava to have a nice new combined activity that I could link to in my post to check out years down the road.

This is the second time I’ve really used these tools. Another time, my GPS got all out of sorts, and somehow these tools made sense of the corrupted data so it would show up in Strava with the correct map and data. Even after that first time, I saw the value here, so even though it’s only a couple of times a year that I use it, I donated to the cause. I really enjoy finding these tools that people spent time creating, even though it’s free, and I probably don’t need the enhanced features. But I want to see it stick around, and obviously, the person took time in building them for my benefit.

∞

Granted it has been over 24 hrs since the storm but I figured I would make a run around and see some of it.

A large tree lies fallen across a dirt path, surrounded by dense, green forest, with sunlight filtering through the trees. Trail obstacles

Fallen tree blocks a narrow dirt path in a dense forest, secured by yellow caution tape tied to surrounding trees. More Trail obstacles that are not helping with my pace

A large tree has fallen over a sidewalk, blocking it next to a slanted wooden fence and an orange traffic cone; a residential road lies adjacent. Sidewalk out guess I will take to the road

A fallen streetlight lies on a grassy roadside near a beige house with a white fence. Caution tape surrounds the scene, indicating recent damage or construction activity. This is likely the reason we have not had power 😱

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The new day has not brought any change to the weather but I wanted to get this run done early. Not sure it mattered too much as it was like swimming through the humid air and was soaked however the sun wasn’t beating down on me so that is probably a positive.

Railway tracks extend into the distance, flanked by dense green trees on both sides under a dusky purple-pink sky. White and orange posts line the gravel beside the tracks.

∞

Despite the stifling weather I had to go out and test the new shoes on a short run. There is a road closed in the neighborhood that I can never really run on so took advantage of that to see what was on the other side of the street.

A small stream flows through a forested area surrounded by dense green foliage, with a partially visible house or building in the background.

∞

New Running Shoe Day = Great Day 😃🏃‍♂️👟

Colorful sneakers featuring rainbow patterns, “PRIDE” text, and a frog graphic; worn by a person with bare legs and black socks, standing on a gray asphalt surface.

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Long run before the weekend. Probably should have bailed before I started.. Didn’t get great sleep, iPods only half worked, and after the first mile it down poured for 10 min. Then stopped until about the last 10 min just to make sure I was soaked the whole way.

A pond covered in green algae sits still, framed by overhanging tree branches, with dense forest in the background under a cloudy sky.

Large “I ♥ EP” sign resting on a grassy area, with trees and a paved road in the background, under a cloudy sky.

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I am really surprised at how clear the pictures from my daughters GoPro are under the water. It is interesting seeing some of the videos she took to see her form as as she left the camera at the bottom of the pool and swam over it or dove over it. 🏊‍♀️

Person swimming underwater wearing pink goggles and a blue swim cap, taking an underwater selfie in a clear blue pool with lane lines visible.

∞

Getting darker in the morning hours makes it slightly harder to get up and move. However, mornings really are the best time for me to get a run in.

Sun is setting behind a row of silhouetted trees, casting an orange glow over the landscape. The foreground features dense vegetation, and the sky transitions from light blue to warm tones.

∞

Really feeling it in my legs today on this run after all that biking yesterday. However, it was good to start the day with this as it is back to work today.

Tall grasses stand still, shrouded in morning mist, with a line of trees in the background under a softly glowing dawn sky.