Sore Legs, New Vistas...

I've been riding my new bicycle everyday and I can really tell the difference. A lap around the lake is now just a lap around the lake. No more huffing and puffing. My

legs only get that "burn" on one hilly bit. So after I circle the lake I am now finding backroads around here to explore.

I've been chased by backroad dogs and know where all the dead deer and cat carcasses are.

I've discovered where many of the cars that pass our front gate end up parked for the evening.

I've crossed tiny road bridges and stopped to look down into still standing puddles where trout hang out, praying for rain.

I went by a memorial of an accident I had read about.

Two adults and three children died when their car went off the road and wedged between two madrone trees. It caught on fire.

When I read about it, it seemed far off. Not part of my life at all. It's only about four miles down the road and I ride past it every other day now.

Yesterday, I decided to give my seat a rest and walked back to check on the readiness of the grapes.

Just a couple of more days and they start to pick 'em. The caretaker asked me if I wanted to pick. They use unemployed hippies around here instead of Mexicans. I guess I should shave and wear nicer walking gear...

I ended up on a long walk on the other side of our "block". I walked up among the burned madrone and fir trees that we watched burn a few years back in our local fire.

On the side of the road, I started shooting pictures of the weird stuff one finds as one walks on the side of the road...