July 17, 2007

Along the lake

Summer evening

With a nice wind blowing and temperatures in the 70s, last night was a perfect night for a walk. My friend Long Beautiful Hair and I decided to meet out at the park that stretches along Polluted Sacred Lake. We talked for a couple of hours, walking most of the time along the two paved paths that run along the shore, and sometimes stopping to sit at the edge of a pier or on a bench under a tree.

The park was filled with activity. Bicycles zoomed past, and people on rollerblades. Some runners went by alone, wearing music, while others travelled in packs, shouting encouragement to each other. Parents pushed strollers and held the hands of toddlers. The skateboard park was filled with teenagers, their skateboards slamming hard against the cement as they came down off ramps or rails. The grassy edges of the park were crowded with geese, who waddled along in groups.

Perhaps because of an earlier storm, the marina was quiet, with most of the boats tied up to docks, sails covered and hatches closed. We walked amongst the sailboats and talked about all kinds of things: our marriages, our friendships, our brothers, our childhoods. Always, it's wonderful to confide in a friend who knows you well, who knows how to listen sympathetically, challenge you gently, and laugh with you at how crazy life can be.

Eventually, we both got hungry and walked over to a place that served burgers, salt potatoes, and sweet potato fries. Salt potatoes are a regional specialty: new little potatoes boiled in salt water and served with a cup of melted butter. The cold lemonade tasted good after the long walk: we sat in plastic chairs on a wooden deck, enjoying the evening air. The sun was setting by the time we parted reluctantly, each to return to a busy household.

12 comments:

YourFireAnt said...

That's the place where Tall Poet Woman and I went the first night we went to the Women's Poetry group. We spent two hours there getting up our courage, after having eaten supper at 4:30!

;-)

FA

niobe said...

mmmmm...sweet potato fries.

I really like the way the photo kind of mirrors the one at the top of your blog.

Rana said...

Darn. Now I want some salt potatoes!

Patti said...

I love roller blading there.

Zhoen said...

Now I am missing my dear friend.

Anonymous said...

Yum. Can't wait to try and make some salt potatoes with the new potatoes from the farmer's market.

Yankee T said...

OOOH, salt potatoes sound great. And what a wonderful visit.

Anonymous said...

Me too! I want some salt potatoes. Pass 'em over! haha

Joy

P.S. I wanted to tell you I've taken my blog down. Life just seems to busy. LoL I think you'll want to take me off your blog roll- there is a new person using my old url address. It's NOT me! LoL

skatey katie said...

oh gosh jo(e) i *love* your pseudonyms. i have a friend Long Beautiful Hair too... X

Yankee T said...

I have to tell you that you say you "only" have a point and shoot camera, but you must have an incredible eye, because your photos are just lovely. Always.

Ampersand said...

Ahhh, I enjoyed your respite vicariously.

BeachMama said...

Mmmm Salt Potatoes.... I have never had yours but I certainly make some that sound oh so similar. Your evening sounds wonderful.