Another dark morning – this time with some dramatic clouds sweeping across the sky.
That dot in the bottom right corner… that’s Navy Pier from a distance!!!

But as the sun began to come up, and I made it to the Pier and was headed home, the sky
lightened a bit. But the clouds continued to be quite dramatic!

And again, that’s Navy Pier sticking out into the lake… with Lake Point Tower as an anchor.

Already brighter than yesterday… and a LOT fewer clouds!!!

Although there was still a good bit of wind while I was out playing on Navy Pier. Take notice
of the flags… and let me just say, the ride back home was a lot more fun with the tailwind!

It was fun to play around on the Pier while the sun was coming up. Seeing all of the normal
attractions of the Pier without all of the crowds & screaming masses. All too soon, it was
time to head home… with the tailwind… and one really cool cloud that was developing a bit
north. All stacked up and turning shades of pink…

Eventually the sun won out, and we were treated to a beautifully typical sunrise after all.

For some reason, it seemed a lot darker than usual this morning?
I made it all the way down to Navy Pier and it was still pitch black. Usually by this time,
and this mileage, the sun has started to come up and there’s a nice glow on the horizon.
All I got this morning was a line of lights reflecting from Olive Park.

Eventually the clouds did part and there was a small window of opportunity…
no sun, no sunrise, but at least a little brightness in an otherwise dark & dreary day.

Dark. With the sunrise coming up later & later, my ride start is darker & darker.
Loud. You can definitely hear the waves crashing up on the shore.
Windy. Let’s just say the first half of the ride was great. And then I had to turn around.

I stopped down by Belmont Harbor for a few photos… and I loved seeing the waves crashing
into the corrugated retaining walls. Every so often, the waves would “explode” up & over
creating a wonderful splashing fountain effect. It’s all about timing… timing the photo
just right to catch the splash… and timing when riding so that you DON’T catch the splash!

Then, back up the path into the headwind, the sun finally made it over the horizon.
Windy?… yep, notice the direction of the leaves on the tree!

Clear skies today. But very chilly. Too bad the wind can’t be seen in these photos?!

With a sliver of color on the horizon, you could see the potential in the sky this morning.
And as the sun continued to rise, I was not at all disappointed.

It was a huge relief getting up this morning knowing that ART DETOUR was over.
And that my car was already packed and ready to head home. But first… another sunrise!

It has been such a wonderful weekend staying at the cabin on Moccasin Lake. Spending time
with my parents, Sarah & Julie. But this morning, they were all already gone. I had the cabin
to myself. Very quiet. But I couldn’t relax too much, as I had breakfast plans with Wendy in
Land O’Lakes. We were going to go to a different restaurant, but Wendy suggested we switch
to the Sunrise Lodge. Which was oddly ironic, because Pam & Pat had just suggested that
restaurant for breakfast a few hours earlier!! And they were all correct. I started with a
chocolate chip waffle. Which disappeared all too quickly. As it’s an “all-you-can-eat” place,
I then had a cranberry pancake. Yum!!! I was ready to go for another, but luckily, their
breakfast hours had already ended. So  I was “cut-off” from becoming a breakfast glutton.
Probably a good thing… for both me AND the kitchen!!!

Now this was ALL Wendy’s idea… she’s hooked!!! And she suggested we go GeoCaching!!!
Luckily, there was another one just down the road at the headwaters of the Wisconsin River.
So we followed my phone for clues and narrowed it down… and Wendy found her first one!!!
Giggling, laughing, so excited… just like a giddy little school girl…

All too soon, our morning fun was over, and I had to head home. Many miles to go!
I was heading home from Land O’Lakes and not quite sure how to get home the fastest.
So I thought I knew… and thought I was doing okay… but I kind of got a little lost somewhere
around Rhinelander. Until I saw the landmark Hodag – and then I knew where I was!!!

All too soon, the dramatic dawn changed to a dull shade of gray. And for a few minutes,
I began to wonder if we were going to get the beautiful sunrise I was anticipating.

But then… it happened. Another beautiful morning with a sparkling sunrise!

Dramatic clouds in the pre-dawn hours.
Nothing but potential for a beautiful sunrise to come!

For some reason, the sunrises in the Fall months always seem to be more dramatic than
the rest of the year. I’m sure there must be a meteorological reason… but I don’t care.
Mother Nature is great and I’m going with that!!!!!!

As the sun began to rise,the clouds turned beautiful rose colors.
Kinda like seeing the world though rose-colored glasses.

And then, for a few brief minutes, the sky was ablaze in fiery oranges!

And oh, but wait there’s more… after the dramatic sky show this morning, we were also
treated to a more “traditional” sunrise which was more than beautiful enough on its own!!!