No Destination, just Sunday
planted 28 Sept 2026 · tended 22 Oct 2026 · 🌱 seedling
It was a cold morning, but the sky looked clear. In Washington, a clear sky is a blessing.
My daughter wanted to play with her friend, but the friend was unavailable. I was keen to explore the nearby trail; hesitantly, I asked if she wanted to cycle, and to my surprise, she said yes. When a kiddo agrees to something you also want to do - execute fast before they change their mind :P
So we started to get ready. We wanted to take Mom along, but she was snoring - in a deep sleep. Probably stretched late for work last night. So we quietly put on our jackets in dim light, shoes for her, sandals for me. She picked the cycle she wanted to ride (blue - the one she outgrew or red - the one she rides now), blue it is. Then we headed out. When we started, I didn't think of a destination; I was just keen on reaching the trail and walking.
The way to the trail was amazing, mainly because of the colorful fall leaves. This year, 22 September kicked off the equinox (the day fall begins, will peak around 24th October). Red, dried leaves scattered on the pathway. Red canopy instead of the usual green. I like it. Change is good. Colorful is great.
There were many people on the trail. Some walking, some running, some cycling. Feels good.
After walking 10 minutes:
This is the point I started to think about our destination. Let's go to my sunday ritual place - "100th Ave cakes". ok. done. Battery 7%, enough to reach the cafe twice! Let's go.
But, the cafe opens at 10 am. What's the current time?
Sun-kissed pictures - done.
Current time: 9 am
Cafe opens: 10 am
Time to cafe: 10 min
We are early 😅. By a good ~50 minutes. Start to think: why do they say "The early bird gets the worm puff?" Kiddo cycling, me walking, ~35 minutes in. Kiddo is gonna get hangry. But I wanted a peaceful walk. Cortisol rising.
Questioning myself - why do I always leave unprepared, especially with a kiddo.
Phone Battery: 1%. Cortisol peaks.
What do I do?.. Dropped a message to my wife letting her know about our whereabouts, in case she wakes up and gets anxious.
Where do we go? Think, think. Let's go to the nearby temple! BAPS hindu temple to rescue.
After walking 5 minutes, a sight of relief:
Parked cycle outside. Did darshan. That's just 10 minutes. We need to kill more time. Taught kiddo how to do om meditation without a prayer beads using phalanges(the 3 sections of a finger). Still need to kill more time. But I got it now. Cortisol reducing.
Explored the shop(Shayona) inside the complex. Pure-vegetarian, reasonable rates. Picked a snack. Dhoklas are fresh, ok let's get that too. Chit-chat with shop owner - who was kind enough to bring my phone to life. Charged 5 min to 11% and we were ready to head out again.
With a ton of snacks and plenty of phone battery, the lions hit the road again.
Only to reach our destination 2 blocks away :)
After completing our sunday ritual, we started to head back.
Mom still non-responsive. Should we walk back? noo, feeling little lazy now.
Oh, let's take the free city taxi (ride circuit), yuhoo. Free things make us all a little happier, don't they? :D
Cycle in the trunk, kiddo in the taxi, snacks on the seats, we set out to return home.
Casual customary chat with Taxi driver (kitna kama lete ho bhaiyaaa 😂)
About to reach home. Mom calls. Reaching home in a minute.
As soon as I reach home 👇🏼
Cherry on the cake 🍒. Perfect week of exercise.
That's all for one Sunday morning.
Jai Jinendra, Good morning! 🙏🏻