LAKE GALENA

In these times, and with my pandemic summer retreat of glamping and the mountains being over for now...it's times like this that I'm thankful for having the glorious lake five minutes up the road. Each season, it's changes right along. Even as the temps are starting to dip lower, I still try to go and get my 6 mile walk and jog in. I will go till it is just too cold anymore, or it snows. The lake has a paved trail the whole perimeter which comes to just over six miles, so I divide it up into four parts. I start out walking and then jog, then walk and end the last part jogging. It generally takes me about and hour and a half to do the whole thing. One side of the lake can get very hilly too. You can feel the burn on the legs. But some days, I may take one of the many  dirt trails that break off the main paved one. Some go deep into the woods. During this time, it's been great because it's only been the locals who live on the lake or the near by streets like yours truly. Just last week was one guy still running shitless!!! I didn't mind...he was hot. I took my camera yesterday and took a few snaps.

This view is from the dam looking toward the Nature preserve at the other end. At that end, one can see many variety of ducks, geese, turtles and heron. It looks so big. I some days don't know how I manage to get the whole way around. But when I start out, I don't think about it.  In the summer, on the days I don't run, I rent a canoe and paddle the perimeter of the lake. Gives a good arm and chest work out. OMG....I almost sound butch!!!! But come the end of September the boat rental closes. 

Yes!!!!! Wild turkeys run rampant at the lake and this time of year even venture down to the Mistress's abode. It is their time of year after all. In the summer months, I suspect they venture further into the woods.

A Katydid on the path ....

I always thought this curvy twisted, intertwined, tree was cool. In the summer it's covered in wisteria. This also means it's my half way point on the path.

A black headed turkey vulture. They are there in numbers...after all the huge fish that get beached from wind blowing the water, making waves.

And it's for this sunset before leaving the lake that makes the whole thing worth it, and for giving me some solace in these times. How can you not feel at peace from the world, for that moment,  even for a couple minutes. And for that I'm truly thankful.