Just a nice ride

Sixty miles on back roads, rolling fields, lots of ponds and a couple of lakes, just a nice summer ride.  We covered 61 miles into Brookings, SD, relaxed a bit, and ended the day with dinner at a UCC church where the group has stayed in previous years.  The minister there has done some lobbying on climate change in DC, and has attended services at my Cleveland Park church.

I love seeing water towers of small towns appear in the distance.  And the first 15 or so miles in the early morning are my favorite part of the ride.  I was about eight miles into today's ride when I stopped to take this picture.

I'm always happy when I'm riding near water.

The McCrory Gardens, part of South Dakota State University, right across the road from our motel, were a lovely place for a walk.

The church where we had dinner has a gifted quilt maker who has decorated the sanctuary with spectacular quilt banners.