So...to Recap...

...or,

      "What I Did on my Summer Break."

I listened to my kiddos jam...

...played some mini golf...

...got excited about her 2ND hole in one...

...took a birthday bike ride with Grandpa...

...on a scenic bike trail in Marshalltown.

Enjoyed some delicious ice cream at Minnesota's oldest ice cream shop...

...in Afton...

...before...

...taking a Segway tour along Lake St. Croix Beach and...  

...writing a message in the sand.

Took more sunset and flower pictures during a family gathering.

Most of all, "I HEART" the time spent with my son and daughter...

...having fun and being silly...

...and enjoying nature on some warm, gorgeous, sunny days.

Lime Creek Conservation Area Bike Ride

With trail names like River Bluffs Trail, White-Tail Loop, Old Stage Run, Badlands Loop, and Quarry Lake Trail, the paths around the Lime Creek Nature Center provide a variety of habitats for visitors to enjoy.

Knowing that much of the trails are made up of rock, dirt, and crushed limestone, I decided the Catrike would not do very well in the rugged terrain and opted for the two-wheeled bike with the wider tires...wise choice.  An even wiser choice would've been a mountain bike, helmet, gloves, and knee and elbow pads!!

There were probably many more photo ops along the way, but I was too busy watching for tree roots, rocks, ruts, and sticks next to the river to take my eyes off the trail and enjoy the scenery.  And once we made it to the open prairie area, I was dodging grasshoppers and dragonflies at every turn.

When we got to Quarry Lake, we had to pause to take in the vista.  The area is a beautiful serene haven that we didn't want to leave.

All in all, we spent just under an hour on the trails but only went 4.48 miles.

Another gorgeous Iowa summer day!

Root River Trail - Lanesboro, MN

A wonderful day of firsts and family fun...

The daughter's first trail ride with her new bike -

The first family bike ride with the four of us each on our own bike -

"Team S-H-I-f-T Happens"

The last time we were all on the Root River Trail out of Lanesboro was probably 11 or 12 years ago with my dad, and my hubby was pulling a Burley bicycle trailer behind his bike with our three-or four-year-old daughter inside.

Today, we started in Lanesboro, MN and rode east the 4.6 miles to Whalan where we took a break for pie and ice cream and assorted snacks at the Aroma Pie Shop.  Since this was our daughter's first big ride, we didn't want to push too hard, so turned around after our rest break and rode back to Lanesboro.  It was a perfect day--weather-wise--for a ride, and the trail was very scenic and well maintained.

Back in Lanesboro, we had pizza at Gil B's and more ice cream (and an iced latte for me) at Another Time Ice Cream.  After checking out a few other shops and the art gallery, it was back to the cars to head home for the day.  Thankfully, the rain waited until we were done with our ride and walk around town.

The view from my trike

RAGBRAI in Mason City...

Helmets, water bottles, and backpacks are standard gear for registered riders.

The architecture and beautiful skies provided some great backdrops for the group and landscape images below.  As the thousands of bicyclists pedaled into Mason City for the fourth day of this year's largest, longest, and oldest cycling event, I spent a couple hours in the thick of it snapping some shots and getting a firsthand look at the organized chaos that is The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

The local brew pub was packed by 2:30 p.m.

Jerseys sport clever team names like this one - "Team Cuisine - Eating Up The Miles"

Bear-ly able to contain the excitement!

Petals and Pedals

One rider takin' a break among the wheels.

Bikes and more bikes!

A sea of cycles!

Following the bike path arrows to food vendors, first aid, entertainment, and much more!

Central Park was a great place to stop and relax after the day's 38.5 mile ride.

"Oh My Pie!!!" was the Bethlehem Lutheran Church food stop with...what else?  PIE!

People come from all over the world to participate every year.  This is the 42nd year of this July touring event, and there are amazing human interest stories just waiting to become part of its history. While I didn't capture any photos of a unique event that took place today, I read all about the wedding of two riders from Team Waldo in Clear Lake.

I actually rode five blocks of the route today, so can now officially say I have ridden in RAGBRAI.  :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 19:LOW ANGLE SHOT

The Bicycle Blues and BBQ Festival is getting underway in Clear Lake this weekend.  

This event was a perfect fit for some low angle shots! 

I took them with my iPhone camera.