Sometimes, to realize true love is to go without. Obviously, I’m talking about my bike. You see, I came to Marquette packed for only two days and two nights. I came down on Friday, and had every intention of leaving on Sunday. Today is Tuesday. This should be of no surprise to anyone who knows me well.

My Marquette trip is working out perfectly. I’m mountain biking every other day, and this includes some respectable hill climbing, even in Ore to Shore with Woodchip Hill in the mix. Today was my off day. I had every intention of going to Harlow Lake and doing a couple laps. I really wanted to climb to the Top of the World, but it just wasn’t going to happen. I girlified myself, instead, and went into town to capture some photos along the Marquette bike path and have lunch at the Vierling.

I started out taking pictures at the Dead River.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day! The bike path was full of walkers and bikers, and my heart did flips – you know, the kind of flips that happen when you’re crushing like crazy on someone, but you can’t be near them – those kind of flips. Only, my flips weren’t for a person; they were for my cross bike. Yes, my heart was flipping for Jake the Snake. I wanted so badly to suit up and jump on my cross bike for a nice jaunt to Harvey and back, then down to the Presque Isle Park. Instead, I drove along the path, jumping out for pictures, until I reached my final destination at the park.

I walked around Presque Isle capturing pictures of the Lake Superior cliffs and boats motoring out in the water. I longed to jump in the water and swim about, but, alas, I had left my bathing suit at home with the cross bike. So much for future light packing.

Lesson learned: unless I absolutely have to be back by a certain date and time, I will never come home when expected. This is true for both Marquette and Copper Harbor. I just can’t leave. Pack for all types of weather and many days at a time. Bring bikes for all terrains. Be ready. That way, I will never go without.