When the heat index exceeds the actual temperature, we become slaves to our air conditioning. When our allergies are in full bloom, yet we long to be outdoors, you think about a road trip. You may not make it from the air-conditioned house to the air-conditioned car without collapsing in a heap right in the middle of the journey. This has been a week like that. The State Fair has begun and along with it a lot of sweat, dehydration and heat stroke. Still the outdoors is calling to us. So, after almost a week of isolation in our home prison, we ventured out to the air-conditioned car and hit the road.

For us these little diversional road trips are helping to keep our minds occupied and our search for beauty in God’s creation alive. We saw so many beautiful birds. A group of sandhill cranes made their way gingerly across the road. These lovely specimens are in full color right now – a beautiful rusty amber body, with the familiar red on their heads. They walked on stilted legs and were truly a sight to see. We observed some huge trumpeter swans bathing themselves and enjoying the coolness of the swampy water. Within a short distance of the swans was a flock of gigantic white egrets, sitting like bowling pins along shoreline. A field of giant, toasted marshmallows (which I call the huge, round hay bales,) were set throughout the plane – nourishment for the animals in the eventual colder days. Finally, on the last turn, we saw some peeks of autumn color. It’s just beginning to ebb as the higher branches are gently being kissed by the sun.

When we let the elements get in the way of enjoying our vision – our love of nature – our desire to be outside – we are cheating ourselves from some wonderous adventures. We should never stop believing in what God has in store for us. Our days may be drawing to an end, but our sense of adventure remains alive and well. After another short road trip, we both felt refreshed and alive. We topped the day off with a dinner date at an air-conditioned restaurant.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV