“We decided to stop more often, snap several family photos, and take more time to appreciate the scenery.”
Stacy Wolinski
I’m a lifelong nature lover. Growing up, I enjoyed many outdoor vacations with my family here in Maine, whether hiking, kayaking, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing.
Now that I have a daughter of my own, I want us to create similar memories. And most recently, that involves cycling.
No Better Weather
When we started dating six years ago, my boyfriend and I used to mountain bike a lot. And one morning this past summer, we woke up and decided it was the perfect day for an impromptu bike ride.
We drove to the local Airline trail, which was about 30 minutes away, attached a kids’ trailer lent to us by friends, and off we went. It ended up being one of the greatest experiences we had all summer!
It was a gorgeous warm day. The June sun was shining, but the shade from the trees helped keep us cool as we rode along the trail, over wooden bridges, and near the banks of a winding river. It was so peaceful.
I smiled hearing my daughter’s laughter, while she talked to me from her little “tent” (what she called her covered trailer), which we’d set up with her favorite foxy stuffed animal, snacks, a juice cup, and a pillow, just in case she happened to grow tired and take a nap (not likely, but I think she dozed off for a few minutes!).
The halfway point of our ride was a small town, where we stretched our legs, grabbed lunch, and refueled before heading back.
The return trip was just as pleasant as the ride out, and my daughter didn’t want the adventure to end so soon. And neither did I.
We decided to stop more often, snap several family photos, and take more time to appreciate the scenery.
Now that winter’s arrived, we can’t wait to head up to northern Maine and try out some fat bike trails. That way, we could have a similar experience while riding in the snow, feeling the stillness surrounding us, and breathing the crisp, fresh air!
As my daughter grows up, biking is an activity that will surely take us on many adventures, and create memories that we can cherish forever.