While I was back in Michigan during the pandemic, I did a lot of biking. There are bike paths for miles and miles near my parents house, so many and well placed that one could go 10 miles or so and only cross one major road. It got me back in the habit of biking as a form of transportation when I went back to the city. The exercise is certainly nice, but it also allowed me to skip trains, buses, and ride shares, saving money and keeping me away from enclosed spaces with strangers.
I don't often take pictures while biking, but on my first bike ride back in Chicago, in May 2021, I did some exploring, finding myself on the peninsula that surrounds Montrose Harbor. I paused my ride to marvel at how pretty Chicago is and to enjoy that even after 12 years and living in 5 different neighborhoods, I still get to explore new places. In addition to what's pictured here, there are sand dunes, wooded paths, and a bird sanctuary, on on this tiny strip of land I'd always thought was just a concrete bit that wrapped around the harbor and protected the boats.
Cheers to mundane habits that lead to adventures and more miles in 2021.
