Yeah I think we should probably just take the long way around the lake this time. The path by the old mill gets too muddy after rain. I brought a spare jacket if you need one. We can stop at the little bench near the overlook. Last summer the wild blackberries were everywhere along that side. I never remember to bring a container for them. Maybe grab a couple of paper towels from the car. That works okay if you wrap them gently. The view from the top is better when the sky clears after midday. I checked the forecast last night and it said maybe a quick shower before lunch. Shouldn't last more than twenty minutes. My boots are already broken in from the spring trails. No blisters this time, which is rare. I really just want to see the heron again. It was standing in the shallow end near the reeds. Completely still for almost a minute. I tried to point it out but by the time you looked up it had moved. Have you ever seen one catch a frog? It makes a weird gulping sound. I could hear it from thirty feet away. Anyway let's plan to leave by eight thirty. That gives us enough time to get coffee first. I don't mind driving if you want to pick the music. Just no sad songs before noon. Deal?

Honestly the best part of the whole trip was the roadside stand with the little jars of honey. The woman working there let us sample three different kinds on little wooden spoons. I thought the wildflower one was too sweet. The buckwheat was too dark and heavy. The clover was just right, smooth and light. I bought two jars and one is already half gone. My niece puts it on everything, even plain crackers. I thought that was weird until I tried it. Now I sort of get it. Next time we go up, I will bring a small cooler so the jars don't rattle around. The roads were bumpier than I remembered. We missed the turn by the blue silo and had to double back. The detour took us past a field full of sunflowers that were just starting to open. They all faced the same direction like they were waiting for instructions. It was strangely calm. I think I took nineteen photos before realizing my lens cap was still on. You would have laughed. The drive back was quiet except for the radio fading in and out. We stopped for apples at that place with the red tin roof. The orchard owner said the early frost hurt the smaller trees. Still plenty of good ones though. I saved a few for you in the fridge. They are in the bottom drawer behind the carrots.