Clouds everywhere. Darkness all around. Only a sliver of color low on the horizon.
Yet plenty of potential in those clouds for a colorful morning to come.

Just a bit further down the trail, the colors were almost perfect over Belmont Harbor.

And then… AMAZING!!!

But all too soon, the clouds were moving fast and the colors started to dissipate…

Soon enough, the morning color was gone. As was the sunrise.

Although it did try to pop through one last time. Right through that small hole in the clouds. Might be the last time we see the sun today?! The forecast doesn’t look so good for our trip to Great America?!

Earlier & darker. Seems like my ride just gets earlier every day?!
Because I’m now trying to add a swim in the lake to my morning routine…
Bike… Swim… Sunrise… Bike… Shower… Breakfast… Summer Camp…              Repeat.

Further down the road, miles & minutes had passed, and the sky was finally brightening up.
The morning sky went through a lot of transitions this morning… an AM quick change!!!

Soon enough, the clouds began to “warm up” with wonderful shades of pinks & oranges. A beautiful contrast to the dark gray clouds just hanging out over the lake.

As the pink clouds began to dissipate, the morning sky took on beautiful shades of orange.

Finally, the sun popped out over the horizon. A welcome sight.

And then the orange disappeared as the sun began to shimmer across the water.

Beautiful. And well worth the wait.

Low, dark clouds on the horizon again.
I wasn’t expecting much of a sunrise as I assumed the clouds might just block the sun.

But as luck would have it, the wind changed, the clouds moved and “incredible” happened! I love when the sun & clouds work together in perfect harmony and beautiful light rays splash across the sky!

This morning started out dark. Dark clouds. Shades of blue. Kinda gloomy.

But then, those same dark clouds turned beautiful shades of pink. Still a bit ominous with the layers of darker clouds hovering low above the horizon.

Then, just a quickly, the beautiful rose colors disappeared… and the horizon seemed to open up with bright clouds stretching across the sky! Another beautiful morning through all of the transitions!

It happens every summer. Everyone in Chicago knows it.
First we suffer through a few days of biting black sand flies. Biting. Painful. Pesky. Annoying.
Good to know that soon to follow will be the swarms of HUGE dragonflies! And they were all over the lakefront this morning. Thousands & thousands of them!!!

It’s survival of the fittest… and I’m banking on the dragonflies!

Serene. Quiet. Beautiful. Reflective.
The start of another day as I pedaled past Belmont Harbor.

The morning sky was covered with clouds. Dark clouds.
A great contrast to the beautiful colors glimmering below.

As I pedaled further south, the clouds were swept away. Making room for an almost clear sky. Not quite clear… but at least swept to the side so we could see the sunrise!

Sometimes it pays to look backwards… you might just get to see “another” sunrise!!!