Monthly Archives: May 2013

What’s to Like About Rockford: The Sinnissippi Bike Path

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The Sinnissippi Bike Path, Along the Rock River, Facing South

The Sinnissippi Bike Path, Along the Rock River, Facing South


The Sinnissippi Bike Path is more of a walking, jogging, running path than a biking path. Only two bikers zoomed by during the ninety minutes I was there taking pictures with my two daughters. Like most bikers, when I bike I like to take paths frequented with less foot traffic. But for those of us on our feet, the path is perfect.
"They said this was the walking path."

“They said this was the walking path.”


Nestled against the Rock River, the paved path is dotted with sculptures and park benches. The path includes entrances that meander around a lagoon with swan, through several gazebos with rose garden, and they bring you right up close to the new Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens. The grounds are mowed, litter free, and the path is well maintained. And this time of year, everything is green and blooming.
Heading south on the Sinnissippi Path, May 31, 2013.

Heading south on the Sinnissippi Path, May 31, 2013.


You never know who you’ll meet during your journey: parents getting their kids out of the house for a dose of vitamin D, every breed of leashed dog imaginable, geese exercising their goslings, and a fisherman or two. We watched this guy reel in a whopper, although since this particular fish came out of the Rock River, I probably would have put him back instead of frying him up.
Big Fish

Big Fish, yes! Big Meal? Not out of this river.


The Sinnissippi Bike Path is easy to get to, you can see it from North Second/Rt 251 and finding a place to park is a breeze. Parking is available near the YMCA and there are parking lots off of North Second Street. There is no charge to enjoy this lovely spot.
Who Knew Rockford Could Be So Pretty?

Who Knew Rockford Could Be So Pretty?


Photographs (C) Karin Blaski 5/31/2013

The Lost High School Sheep

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"Maybe we don't want to be found."

“Maybe we don’t want to be found.”


E-mail and Facebook invites went out for my High School reunion recently and my friends and I are debating whether or not we should go. My nursing friends are conveniently working. Funny how those schedules are determined so far in advance: the reunion is in August. I’m always busy in August myself. Prepping for a new college semester. Wrapping up a new book. I’m sure there will be something on my plate.

So why the excuses? Well most of the High School friends I’ve wanted to connect with I’ve found already, or they’ve found me, through Facebook or mutual friends. We keep in touch. We’re good. And honestly, I’d rather spend the time with those folks. Dinner, coffee, brunch, picnics with the kids, if they come in to town for the reunion, and there’s a smaller group’s peripheral activity–that’s more my style.

Big reunion. Class of over 600. Nah. Heck, I didn’t even talk to the guy who had the locker next to mine for four years until the commencement ceremony. Not because I didn’t like him, but because I never saw him. We never had the same schedule. Even if only 10-15% show up, chances are the random sample will be people I’ll have a hard time remembering, because *cough* it’s been a while, and my high school tended to be very cliquey. I was a theater/choir girl myself. Although, I did enjoy that freshman year of shop class. One of only two girls in a sea of boys . . . but I digress.

Anyway, big reunions are not for everyone. Even smaller high school connections years after graduation are not for everyone.

Which brings me to the lost sheep issue. The reunion coordinators are trying to track down about 300 of our classmates who have dropped off the alumni radar. A remarkable thing to do in this day of Google a name and let’s see what pops up. But here’s the rub. Maybe they’ve dropped off the radar ON PURPOSE.

Maybe some of these sheep are lost and they don’t want to be found.

So fellow HS grads. If you know some of the folks on the lost sheep list, do them the courtesy and ask them first before handing over their contact information. Being lost should be their choice, not ours.

Photograph © Rud