late yesterday i took a mini vacation. i loaded my $15 huffy garage sale bike (that really IS
an awesome bike- i don't care how much my youngest- who owns one of those designer babies- laughs at it) i drove to excelsior and hopped on the amazing bike trail that runs alongside lake minnetonka.

i hadn't been pedaling long when i just had the nicest feeling settle over me. it was almost a religious experience.it was warm out and there were no bugs flying as fast as I was flying. off to the side of the trail was the beautiful lake and it was so peaceful.  there is dense woods on both sides of the trail too so occasionally it was dark and mysterious. i had great music playing in my ear and the occasional walker, runner, biker to smile and nod at. and then there were the homes.

* oh my, the homes. for all i knew i could have been far far away on a vacation. it could have been a bike ride in nantucket! you get to see homes along the trail that you'd never see from your car- and there are some beauties.  anyone biking with me probably would have been annoyed by all the stopping to take pictures- so i was glad i was alone this time.    :  )

my destination was the cottagewood general store. it's a throwback to norman rockwell 
days and pretty much the cat's meow in my book. i got there about 8 p.m. so it had just closed and i didn't get to buy an orange crush and sit outside to sip it, but that's o.k.~
next time! in the little village of cottagewood where the store is, the homes are adorable too.
they are quaint and all drapey with flowers and "oh so cottagey". here's some pictures for y'all.

                                                                                check out the rock work on this old beauty!

                                                                       this cute little girl had just closed the store- shucks!

                                                                                 if this was a  b & b  i'd so be reserving a room...

                                                                                         this is one of the marinas on the way

                                                 please take a moment to say "ahhhhhhhhh"  about this amazing tree.

                                              

                                                  
                                               then back in excelsior, this mural is on the side of a shop called artworks

                                              hope you enjoyed kind of being on my bike ride with me.
                                  i came home with my cup not just half full- it was right up to the top.


                                                    i have some pictures from the rodeo too and later this
                                                           week i hope to have a little somethin-somethin to
                                                                   show you of last weekend's wedding celebration.

 
                                                                  right now i'm off to peel peaches and make jam,

                                                                                                      xo, beth

                   p.s. i also want to send a big virtual hug to my dear sister out in the oil fields
                          of north dakota. she and her hubbie are living and working there for
                          the next year or two and today she feels very far away. LOVE YOU sis!!!