From our riverside picnic table in North Alexander Park, a view of the Cannon River last Friday evening.
WHAT A GIFT, THIS BEAUTIFUL Friday evening in May in southern Minnesota. The entire day, our 38th wedding anniversary, proved one of the best anniversary celebrations ever. Even in COVID-19.
Kayaking in the Cannon River, Faribault.
Randy and I took the day off work and spent it together. Outdoors. In the sunshine. In the warmth. In nature. I needed this. The quiet. The surrounding myself with nature. No news. Thoughts focused on the joy of May 15.
Another couple brought pizza to the park for a picnic.
We ended our anniversary celebration with smoked bbq pork dinners picked up curbside from The Depot Bar and Grill, a favorite Faribault restaurant. Ribs for Randy, pulled pork for me. Sides of mixed baked beans, coleslaw and a bun. And extra orders of fries and onion rings. Too much food, but absolutely delicious.
A mallard swims the Cannon in the golden hour before sunset.
We enjoyed our meals along the banks of the Cannon River in North Alexander Park, the evening sun glowing golden upon the water, across the landscape.
Part of a kayaking trio.
Others picnicked, too, fished, kayaked. All delighting in the outdoors and the calm that brings especially during a global pandemic.
Pausing to watch a family of ducks pass by on the Cannon River.
Ducklings trailed their mama across the river while the kayakers paused to appreciate the family. As did we.
Orange fences surrounding playground equipment and park shelters are gone, opening both up to public use.
Across the park, youngsters played on the re-opened playground.
I’ve noticed more hammocks in public places.
And a person and dog relaxed in a hammock suspended between trees.
Lilacs are beginning to open.
After dinner, we walked for a bit, stopping to breathe in the scent of lilacs perfuming the air. Randy clipped a few sprigs for me and carried them back to the van. Days later, those lilacs droop in a vase. But I hesitate to toss them, a sensory reminder of a lovely day in May when we celebrated 38 years of marriage.
© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Recent Comments