Loki checks out the fishing boats on the lake.

Is it a lake or is it a swamp?

Through the woods we go.

Hot on the trail!

Look! We're a German Shepherd!

Snuffling in the tall grass.

On a Saturday this past summer, when it was a bit overcast and rain was expected, I took Loki to Shabbona State Park. There is a small lake there, with a trail around it. It takes roughly two hours to walk around the lake, and it was a great place to exercise Loki. While we were ambling around the lake, we encountered only one other person on the trail, a guy carrying a fishing pole.

M, on the way back from the Chicago Botanic Garden. Yes, I was riding my bike as I took this picture.

M and I like to bike to the Chicago Botanic Garden and then walk the paths to relax before biking back. She's carrying her bike's handlebar bag in her left hand.

This was the view outside my front door.

M kayaked at Isle Royale this past summer. She took this picture while watching the sunset one night.

After Germanfest, M and I went to Kohler-Andrae State Park. We walked along the beach, and biked along the roads and on park trails. It was a great day!

M and I went to Milwaukee at the end of July to check out the Germanfest and run in the 5k. The 5k was the worst-organized race we've been to, but the Germanfest itself was fun and there was some good food there. Fireworks, too. (Ooh! Ahh!) The church was across the street from the hotel where we stayed.