“Boys, look at me. Hold still and just listen. Get your shoes on, we’re going outside.” It seemed like I’d spent the entire morning playing referee between my sons. The requests for intervention were relentless—“Is it my turn now?” “He’s touching me!” “Can I have that?” “He’s bothering me on purpose.” “Can I have a snack?” “He hit me!”
Don’t get me wrong. I love my kids. I cherish being the one navigating these questions and quarrels with them. I hear the bickering, because I’m with them. And I wouldn’t trade being with them for all the lefse at the Hostfest.
Some days just seem fussier than others. Some days I’m the fussiest of us all. And sometimes I think August is an incredibly easy time to be fussy.
There’s a shift in the air. I can literally smell a difference; one season beginning to fade and another starting to bloom. The nights are noticeably darker and cooler. The mornings aren’t quite so early. Summer activities are drawing to a close, many of our local friends have scampered off to the lake for a few weeks until school begins, and our already haphazard summer schedule feels looser than ever.
In my house, the bickering is amping up because we’re all ready for a little more structure.
When the walls start to close in around me, or the questions come too quickly, or the decision fatigue threatens to pull me under—we go outside. I even have mom-ism that is sure to haunt my boys into adulthood, “We’ll all feel better outside.”
I should cross stitch that on a sampler.
It’s simple advice, but always rings true.
Outside, there’s space to separate, room to run, things to notice, and passersby to greet. A three-year-old tantrum doesn’t seem as big or loud in the expanse of nature. The white noise of the world soothes my nerves, extending my patience, grace, and peace. Problems that fill up the living room diminish when we step outside.
On that particular day, we put our shoes on and ventured somewhere new. This is one thing I love about living in Minot—after five years, there are still “new” places to explore. New trails, parks, and discoveries are just minutes away.
In less than ten minutes, we parked at the Minot Outdoor Recreation Area, just off 4th Ave NW, near Berry Acres. Ten minutes later, we were on the newly opened rugged trail section, winding through wildflowers, chasing grasshoppers, and wondering how far the path would take us.
There was still some quarreling, and snack requests persisted. But things are better outside. They’re better in the wide-open spaces and rolling hills. And aren’t we fortunate to have these spaces just minutes from our doorsteps?
The return of the school year’s structure will be welcome, but I plan to combat any end-of-summer crankiness with time in the great outdoors.
If you’re looking for recommendations, check out the Outdoor Recreation Area for paved paths and off-road trails. For strollers, bikes, and rollerblades, head to the greenway between Leach Park and the 83 Bypass (you can park near Leach Park or at the intersection of 2nd Ave SW and 30th St SW), or the extra-wide sidewalk between Radio City Park and John Hoeven Elementary (along 37th Ave SE). For rugged biking and off-road experiences, explore the Woodland Trail, Bison Plant Trail, or Black Butte Adventures (the latter is technically not in Minot but offers a great wild experience).
Whatever you choose, I hope these last weeks of summer are filled with peace, gratitude, and the unique goodness this time between seasons offers.
For more stories of life in Hotdish Land and recommendations, join me online at amyallender.com, on Instagram @HeyMinot and @amy_allender, or on Facebook @amyallenderblog.
Amy Allender photo
