Mondays are for strength training at my favorite spa in Baltimore, Planet Fitness, but I looked out the window this morning and knew I was not in the mood to exercise indoors. I also checked the weather report, and it was immediately clear to me that outside exercise would need to happen before noon. I’m too precious to be riding a bike around in 90 degree weather in APRIL. So I lathered up in sunscreen and took the bike out for a little ten mile jaunt.

I headed east, toward Lake Montebello, obviously a reservoir, not a lake, but that’s the tiniest fib in town. Once I hit the half circle (someday the whole loop will open, I just know it!) I was dodging so many people out for a morning walk with a friend, a dog, or with headphones. The place was jam packed. It looked like a school brought some kids to learn to ride bikes, a great lesson on a spring Monday morning. I did my half loops, said my good mornings, and then crossed over to Herring Run Park.

If you don’t run/walk/ride your bike in Herring Run, you are missing out. Check out the picture I took–and that’s the park at its most manicured. There’s a stream (that’s the “run” part of Herring Run), overgrown shrubs and plants, stones, bridges, and it is hard to believe that I can be in such natural beauty just a mile from my very urban home. And just like the reservoir, the run was packed with walkers, birdwatchers, and bench sitters.

I hate the summer heat, but I love the summer mood, and I got a glimpse of it today. I resent the heat–not sure I’ve made it clear how much I hate the heat–but I love nothing more than to sharing public space with my neighbors, giving each other the nod and hello, reminding each other that we’re all here, together, and that is a good thing.

I finished my loop, headed back home, back to my work day of grading this and emailing that, grateful to live in a city with such glorious parks as ours. Planet Fitness, I’ll see you Wednesday.