A Fun Picnic

We  had been planning a bike ride and picnic with Blaubeere and her kids for quite some time.  Actually, we had done this last summer and decided back then it was fun enough that we would have to do it again.  But then Heidlebeere told us she was coming up so we decided to do it the weekend she was here with her kids.  So the date was set.  Unfortunately, as the date approached and got close enough to be in the long range forecast, it was not looking very promising.  One day it would predict rain all day, the next it would be cloudy.  Then it would be rain again.  Back and forth, rain all day, rain in the afternoon, rain in the morning, just cloudy.  We began to think we might not be able to get this ride in after all.  Then, at the last minute, almost literally, things really went sideways.  Schwartzbeere's baby, which had been scheduled for delivery two days after our ride, decided to make her appearance early. Of course, we all wanted to go see the new baby.  But we also still wanted to get the bike ride and picnic in.  And the weather, as the day dawned, also was looking it might actually work for us.

We decided to chance it.  And, in order to see the new baby girl and still get the picnic in, we decided to move the ride and picnic to the city where the baby was.  That was easy enough to do.  A few minutes with the map picking out a new route and park and we were all set!

So we threw the bikes on the racks and headed out.

This ride would start in a little park.  The ride was about the same length that we had been planning in Blaubeere's city, and was ending at a park with what looked like a nice playground. 

So we parked the cars, unloaded the bikes and all, and saddled up for the ride.

This was a nice trail, paved pretty much the whole way.

It was a good ride except for one spill that resulted in a skinned knee.  But after a little doctoring we were back on the road.

Most of the ride was on trails we didn't have to share with cars, though we did have a couple of street crossings.  But the traffic was light and everybody made it across with no trouble.

Pretty soon we arrived at the park and began setting out the picnic. 

While the food was getting prepared, the kids hit the play equipment, having a great time.

It was a good time.  The play equipment was set up to resemble a castle and one little princess was in heaven!  She ran back and forth, tell us all about the castle. 

Pretty soon the food was ready and everyone came and sat down.  Yummy stuff.

Sandwiches, grapes, yogurt, juice boxes, and all the trimmings. It was really good.

Then the kids went back to the playground while we cleaned up and put stuff away.

This turned out to be a really nice little park, a wide variety of stuff to play with.  The kids were really happy and had a lot of fun.

Then it was time to head back.  It was beginning to get dark and nobody had any lights for their bikes.  So we headed back.  The ride back was without incident, no further injury, and it was a great way to end a fun day.  And the weather cooperated with us for the whole time!

There was talk of still trying to get in the ride we had originally planned, although its getting a bit late in an already full season.  But hey, if it doesn't work out this year yet there's always next summer!