A Windy Week in Storm Lake

Another Beautiful sunset on Storm Lake 

The sun has been shining and the weather’s warm but the wind has been crazy. Since Tuesday we have had sustained winds above 20 mph. The first couple nights the wind died down at night a little but Thursday night there was no let up an by Friday morning the sustained winds along the lake were now 30-35 mph with gusts up to 50. I think these are the worst sustained winds we’ve had since living in the trailer. Makes me glad we are as heavy and compact as we are. 

Lake Trail

Thursday, despite the wind, John and I went for a bike ride on the Lake Trail (it runs along the lake front). On the way out the wind was at our back, so not too bad. It is a very wide sidewalk part of the time then city streets and then back to the trail; all in all a very beautiful trail about 5.5 miles long. When we turned around to ride back is when we realized how strong the wind was. It was a long ride back and there were a few times along the lake that the wind was actually pushing us sideways. Arriving home my arms were as tired as my legs from trying to keep the bike upright in the wind. I’d say it was a good core workout. :) 

Friday we decided to walk instead since the wind was so bad. Once again on the way into town the wind was at our back. Instead of staying just on the trail we veered off and went through town making a loop back to the trail. Away from the lake it was a pleasant walk. Storm Lake has many beautiful older homes and a nice downtown area. When we  got to the last section we were back along the lake and it was like hitting a brick wall. I don’t think I have ever taken a walk on flat terrain where I had to work so hard. We walked about 4-5 miles all together but when we finished it felt more like 10.

Gabe and Melissa

The wind finally let up last night and we headed down to Early where Gabe was making us dinner. Gabe has worked in various restaurants and is a very good cook so it was a treat. We had fish tacos with a cajun twist and they were excellent. We have enjoyed spending time with Gabe and Melissa. They are enjoying their first home and adjusting to small town life. Having grown up in a more metropolitan area it has been a bit of a culture shock to live in a town of 900. John and I having both grown up in small towns encouraged them to give it time and soon the young kids from the city won’t seem so strange to their neighbors. Melissa is enjoying teaching but she has her hands full. She is the art teacher  for grades K-8. Since it is her first year she is developing curriculum for all those grades and that is a challenging task. Next year will be much easier, I think, when she can take what she has and just make modifications or add new things. I know my first year teaching was an incredible amount of work. 

We will spend one more day here with Gabe and Melisa and then it will be off to Nebraska. We are going to stop near Waterloo NE to visit some friends and then head to Grand Island to spend a little time with my youngest brother Gary and his family.

I did want to end with this quote:

 “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” -Steve Jobs

R.I.P. Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

Happy Trails..............................