I love autumn days of sunny weather despite the rapidly dropping temperature. As far as skating goes, it's time to pile on the layers. Training becomes trickier because of the fine balance between dressing warm enough and not enough. However, it is actually a beautiful time of the year to play outside. Playing outside? My mind immediately turns to picnic because nothing works up an appetite like fun in the sun (even when it's cold)!
I could think about nothing except for picnic in the last couple of days. The weather forecast promised good sunny days this Saturday so I quickly put together the menu for my bento. The plan was to visit Martin Goodman Trail East in the Beaches area for a leisurely skate followed by an alfresco lunch. I rarely skate this part of the trail in the summer months because it's too busy for training. For a fun skate though, it's perfect!
Like a little kid who does her homework before going out to play, I went to the gym first thing in the morning to get my real training done. I put some finishing touches to my bento, put outdoor wheels on my skate, and out the door I went. What I did not realize was I ran out the door so fast that my skate bag had everything I needed except for my skates! Oops, I was already at the parking lot next to the trail. I have been to The Beaches many times in the past but I always stayed on the multi-use trail. Today was my chance to explore the place on foot like most other people.
As much as I enjoy the freedom of skating, I also miss a lot of sights and sounds when my travel is limited to skateable terrain. I had a great time today climbing up and down rocks along the shore, kicking the sand, skipping pebbles, crunching leaves under my feet...just taking in everything a late autumn afternoon has to offer. Oh, and my bento lunch was delicious! I found a sunny spot on some rocks shoreside with a great view to the downtown skyline. Waves were lapping just below my dangling feet. It was the perfect setting to munch down on quinoa, tuna tofu burger, maple kabocha, and sesame carrot salad. I really should do this more often.
Love love love quiet afternoons solo. Hope you had fun!
Posted by: Cor | November 15, 2009 at 14:33