I set my foot on the trail and kissed it. Of all the things I miss the most about living in the States, trails - paved, windy, plotted, safe, and gorgeous - maybe is the one I miss the most. I took Coco and Addison to a trail along the Mississippi River.

Look Coco! I used to skate here with our dog!

I used to hitch up my dog - when she was younger and alive - to one of those flex leads. I’d hold on while she either pulled me or ran alongside me as I roller bladed. I described it to Coco. This is the great thing about kids: you can make any experience you’ve done seem like it was one of the greatest feats ever conquered in the world.

Wild flowers bloomed along the path. Coco touched the river and tried spelling it with the trick I gave her: M I crooked letter crooked letter I; crooked letter I crooked letter I; hump back hump back I.

The Mississippi is a grand national treasure I adore and miss as much as the trail that winds along it. We turned around after a long walk to start back for the car. Coco peered through the woods for a deer. I told her sometimes they hang out in the woods. As we continued on, a raccoon crossed right in front of us. Coco and I gave each other a high five. Addison whipped his bottle as he finished his last sip. It bounced along the path. What a perfect morning it was.