October 17, 2005
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I have a new toy. About a week and a half ago, I got a new cell phone and my husband got his first cell phone. Both of them are camera phones. A couple of days after we got them, we went bike riding with some friends, and I decided to take a few pictures. One of our favorite bike trails begins in Victoria and goes to Excelsior. At the beginning of the trail, we found this lovely sign.
We decided not to let a little thing like a closed trail stop us, so we forged on ahead. It did help a little that the woman at the front desk of the Lowry Nature Center where we parked told us that the closed signs were because they were working on the trails during the week and were out there with heavy equipment. They were not working on the weekend, so it was OK to ride. Apparently a lot of people knew that because the trail was busy. I rode ahead and tried to take a picture of the others approaching on the trail. If you have very good eyes or use your imagination, you can see them.
Here’s another picture taken along the trail. It’s really a very lovely ride. The trail is smooth, most of it is shaded, and it is relatively flat. There are bikers in this picture, too.
One of the reasons we like this trail so much is that it goes to Excelsior, a lovely community right on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. It’s absolutely gorgeous there! I walked out on the dock to take this picture. You can see a pier area where people in condos on the lake can keep their boats.
We like to have lunch at Haskel’s on the Lake. Haskel’s is a well known chain of liquor stores in the Twin Cities. They specialize in wines from all over the world and are happy to teach you about them. Most of their stores are just off sale outlets, but in Excelsior, they have a store just off the pier area and in that store they have a bar and restaurant. The food is very good and you can enjoy this lovely view while you eat. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. We ate indoors because it was cool, but usually we opt for a patio table.
It’s about 9 miles from Victoria to Excelsior on the trail, and then of course, you have to ride back. I always figure that that justifies the calories I consume at lunch. It is also possible to ride on a bit farther before returning. That allows you to see some lovely private homes along the lake and entitles you to ice cream before you head back. I am not sure that I think my cell phone takes the greatest pictures in the world, but it is fun to be able to take them. Next blog, I will tell the story of why it took me so long to get these posted.
Comments (23)
That’s so cool!! I wish there was a cool bike trail where I live but… there isn’t. At least there are none that I know of.
Lovely bike ride Nancy through the foliage and leading to a charming and genuine place at the side of the lake .
I am amazed by the pictures taken by a …..phone !!!! we wont stop the progress
Love
Michel
I feel like I have been on the ride with you
. Was it hard to get up and go cycling after that lunch 
My Cell phone takes photos too.
Looks like we are the ones to benefit from your new camera phones. Thanks for sharing!
what fun!
Thanks for subbing.
It looks like a nice trail. Lake Minnetonka sounds familiar. I’ve never been to Minnesota, but I wonder if it’s mentioned in the Betsy-Tacy books, which I’ve read many times.
Ah, Nancy, thank you for the eye candy. I love this time of year, and apparently you do as well!
Hi Nance, those are good pictures, the phones take good photos. Nice scenery.
Enjoyed that.
Peace and Love:)
Very nice!
Oooo….don’t you love new toys? I do!!! Now you’re making me want a camera phone! Oh no!
great photos
I love bike riding out in the country. Ryc: The teacher sends home one sheet of homework per day, to help the child practice writing their name with lowercase letters (my daughter only writes in capital). Each Monday, he sends home a 15 page packet that is to be completed before Friday. This packet has numbers and math related puzzles. The workload isn’t that unreasonable. My daughter, however, cannot finish it.
Beautiful pictures, have a good day.
Looks like a pretty area! I recently got my first cell phone, too. It doesn’t have a camera, though. I don’t actually plan to use it, because I don’t want to be reachable 24/7… but it seemed like a good idea in case my car breaks down or something.
Nice pictures. Are they from your cell phone, because those are excellent if they are. Most cell phone pictures are pretty bad.
RYC: It’s easy for me to write for publication because that’s been my career all my adult life. It’s a little different for people who are starting out, or doing it for a hobby, or whatever. I am not bragging or anything, but I’ve been a professional writer for more than two decades, so it’s no big deal to write for a magazine. It’s just what I do. I just want to get a darn book published. That seems to be the golden ring I’m having trouble reaching.
Lynn
As bad as my vision is I was able to see the riders.
ryc: I imagine my entry does have a familiar ring to it, even without your experience.
nice bike ride! it was fun to read it!
I think the pictures are excellent for a cell phone! What a delightful ride–especially when you have such a beautiful destination. We have a lot of bike trails around here, too. Wish they had had them back when I was younger, though. Maybe by next summer I can get into good enough shape to get my bike out again.
RYC: How wonderful that the cruise ship cooked your fish for you. It must have been a small ship?? Our salmon don’t taste like the salt water variety. Don’t really know what the difference is, though.
My husband has a camera phone (only because they had to replace his broken phone) and I’m jealous. I’d love it if we could snap pics to send back and forth! Looks like a really fun bike trail!
Hello, I learned many tips from you guys on how to not lose a post.Thank you.
I hope all is well with you.
Peace and Love:)
Cellphones have been nothing but frustration for us, and we won’t own them ever again. But I do hope you enjoy yours.
And lovely photos, as always.
RYC: We enjoy the boat rides at The Dells, but have never had time to bother with all the kitschy stuff. So since we don’t bother them, they don’t bother us!
I’m jealous, your cell phone takes much better pictures than mine does!
Hi Nance, are you joining Socarets Cafe? I really like the blog, its alot of fun and brain excercise. Hope you are joining.
Peace and Love:)
Never ever let a “Closed Trail” sign discourage you from the Journey.
BE blessed!
Steve