For just an hour, midday, I found a spot not far from work that I did not want to leave. Walled Lake, for those of you familiar with the area in Metro Detroit, next to Mercer Beach in Oakland County.
The lake is about ten minutes from my work, and on this sunny 84 degree early May afternoon, I could not wait to take a ride over the lunch hour and soak up some sunshine. From my office, I headed north on Meadowbrook to 13 Mile Rd. then rode west to East Lake Drive. From there, East Lake Drive is a nice drive with the lake on your left and beautiful homes on both sides of the road. Several miles past sparking water and you’ll arrive at the Bayside Sports Grill, at the corner of East Lake Drive and Pontiac Trail.
Bayside’s parking lot is nestled between the restaurant and the beach, and today I found several waterfront spots open. I spent the next 30 minutes or so just being still, taking it all in. The sun shined down on all the families playing on the beach, about 50 yards from the spot I was sitting, and I wished I could spend the rest of the day here in the sunny breeze. There were no boats out yet, but three male mallards swam peacefully by, and for the first time in my life I wondered what it would be like to be a duck.
So I sat on the curb, in front of my motorcycle, arms around my knees, eyes closed, and just was. I felt the warm sun, the strong breeze blowing back my hair, the laughter of kids on the beach and the occasional call from a sea gull. I tried to let all my thoughts go and just be here, on the water. I’ve never been an afternoon nap kind of person, but the thought of a hammock right then sounded fabulous. Those were the most calming 30 minutes I’d spent in a long time.
Soon it was time to head back to my windowless office, so hard to do on a day like this. But I’ve come to appreciate so much in the last several years, and this mini vacation definitely makes the list. As I cruised back to work, dreading going back indoors for the remainder of the workday, I reminded myself of the ride home in just a few hours, about eight miles of it down Hines Drive, a scenic parkway very popular with cruisers and motorcycles. I felt clearer, calmer, and could still smell the water and the hear the cries of the gulls. This was a much needed escape.
Where do you escape to?