February 13, 2011: The ride today was under the wings of Buzzards again! Also called Turkey Vultures, Chicken Hawks, and just plain Vultures, these gliders grace our sky when it is warmer. I don't see them in the winter. For this area, these big black birds leave around the end of October or early November. They are almost always back in our sky during February. For me they are indicators that Spring is just around the corner. Yes, there will be more of February, with it's cold. And there is always March to get through, with all the gray sky. But, the wings and sounds of summer are already hinted at.
As I rode out of town a voice hailed me from a doorway, saying, "No fair, I'm jealous." She was referring to the fact I was on my bicycle riding. I waved and yelled back, "Come on!" There will soon be more of us bicycling. I anticipate the restart of our weekly rides. Melt snow, melt!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Coming Soon to a ride near you.
Saturday's ride (1-15-2011) was a short 13.5 miles and I don't even look at average speed this time of year. There was one thing different about the ride. I could hear birds again!
The time riding with the birdless silence seemed long and dreary this year. From the flurry of their Fall activity, when they gathered into flocks, to the solemn silence in their absence, was a subtle change. At first I didn't appreciate the fact they were gone. Oh, there was a noticeable absence of wings and bodies in motion. I think my mind expected the activity to return soon. After several weeks with the birds becoming fewer and fewer, my ear searched for the sounds. Every ride confirmed there were not many fliers left to catch my eye with their flitting from branch to branch. The rare bird motion was quickly seen and I would turn to appreciate the mover. The quiet was confirmed again and again. My thoughts could not conjure enough memory to know the birds would return in summer numbers. Sights I beheld turned to still things, like snowdrifts, bare branches, and fields full of corn stubble. Sounds I sought were cold winds, tires crunching snows, or approaching autos.
It was such a surprise, even though it should have been expected, to hear the birds again. And what a joy it was to hear, "I am here," spoken in bird song. "I know you," my mind recalled. "You sound like the summer I remember from so long ago." And my eye searched for the motion so sure to accompany the sounds. Then, the sound was accompanied by sight. A small group of Robins was there, seeking something to savor. They flew a short distance and seemed to agree on what the group should be doing. Enjoying their motions, I rode by them, remembering flights over green grass instead of snow.
The warmer days will be coming soon. There will be a certain need for patience, as storms will surely intervene. I'll listen for the singers of Spring to be. They will find food and nesting sites while winter winds yet bite. All of us will be poised for passions. Mine for pedaling past wings in motion and theirs for procreation. Surely we are blessed with an earth tilted on its axis. Without winter to silence the commotion around us, how could we know the thrill of life renewed with warming sun?
The time riding with the birdless silence seemed long and dreary this year. From the flurry of their Fall activity, when they gathered into flocks, to the solemn silence in their absence, was a subtle change. At first I didn't appreciate the fact they were gone. Oh, there was a noticeable absence of wings and bodies in motion. I think my mind expected the activity to return soon. After several weeks with the birds becoming fewer and fewer, my ear searched for the sounds. Every ride confirmed there were not many fliers left to catch my eye with their flitting from branch to branch. The rare bird motion was quickly seen and I would turn to appreciate the mover. The quiet was confirmed again and again. My thoughts could not conjure enough memory to know the birds would return in summer numbers. Sights I beheld turned to still things, like snowdrifts, bare branches, and fields full of corn stubble. Sounds I sought were cold winds, tires crunching snows, or approaching autos.
It was such a surprise, even though it should have been expected, to hear the birds again. And what a joy it was to hear, "I am here," spoken in bird song. "I know you," my mind recalled. "You sound like the summer I remember from so long ago." And my eye searched for the motion so sure to accompany the sounds. Then, the sound was accompanied by sight. A small group of Robins was there, seeking something to savor. They flew a short distance and seemed to agree on what the group should be doing. Enjoying their motions, I rode by them, remembering flights over green grass instead of snow.
The warmer days will be coming soon. There will be a certain need for patience, as storms will surely intervene. I'll listen for the singers of Spring to be. They will find food and nesting sites while winter winds yet bite. All of us will be poised for passions. Mine for pedaling past wings in motion and theirs for procreation. Surely we are blessed with an earth tilted on its axis. Without winter to silence the commotion around us, how could we know the thrill of life renewed with warming sun?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Crunchy
October 12, 2010 saw us leave a little before the 5:30 pm start time. We are trying to make use of all the daylight we can find. 22 miles at 13.6 mph.
Our wheels made crunching sounds as we rolled over the dry leaves on the trail. One could almost imagine locomotive sounds as we passed miles of rail-trail. The crunching sounded like steam, whistling wind, or singing steel as our wheels crushed through the leaves.
It will only be a few weeks until the sun is low enough we can't get an hour of riding in after 5:30. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Our wheels made crunching sounds as we rolled over the dry leaves on the trail. One could almost imagine locomotive sounds as we passed miles of rail-trail. The crunching sounded like steam, whistling wind, or singing steel as our wheels crushed through the leaves.
It will only be a few weeks until the sun is low enough we can't get an hour of riding in after 5:30. I'm already looking forward to next year!
October 5, 2010
Not much happening this time of year. The days are shorter and cooler. "Let's ride where we can stay in the sun," was the quote of the day. We had a good ride with 28 miles covered at an average speed of 13.0 mph.
The new parts of the Cardinal Trail are exciting. The trail lures us farther and farther. Hope to ride to Muncie soon.
The new parts of the Cardinal Trail are exciting. The trail lures us farther and farther. Hope to ride to Muncie soon.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Big Trees
Our stop in the Humbolt Redwood State Park put us in big trees. We camped in a second growth area with trees growing in rings from the stumps of big trees that were cut years ago. There were bear proof boxes for us to put our food and items that had touched food in.
Our next stop took us thru Fernbridge, Ferndale, Rio Dell and Scotia, California. The road lead thru Stafford, Pepperwood, Redcrest, Weott, Myers Flat, MIranda, Phillipsville, Redway, Garberville, and Benbow, California. We stayed at Richardson Grove State Park.
Piercy was one of the next towns, and at Leggett we began our journey on route 1. There was a climb from around 500 feet above sea level to over 1500 feet above sea level. Then we made a ten mile descent to the ocean and on to Westport. It was interesting to go from the big trees to the ocean in one day. The sounds and smells of the waves were different from the silence of the forest.
Cleone, Fort Bragg, Mendocino and Albion, California were towns we traveled through. After Elk, California we camped near Manchester, California. Some of our group hiked about one mile to the beach and experienced the very cold water of the Pacific Ocean. It seems there is a Humboldt Current that flows past Alaska and brings cold water down the coast. The water in the ocean is always cold.
On through Point Arena, Ca., we traveled through Anchor Bay, Gualaia, Sea Ranch, Stewarts Point, Ca. The day was rainy and cold, so we stopped at Fort Ross, Ca., and spent our only night in a small motel. All the shivering riders were happy to be in rooms instead of tents.
After Jenner and Bodega Bay, Ca. we turned inland to go through Valley Ford and Tomales, Ca. On through Marshall, Ca. to a camp near Pt. Reyes Station put us in our final night in tents.
We road Sir Francis Drake Blvd through Samuel P Taylor State Park and our last views of Redwoods. On to Lagunitas, Woodacre, Fairfax, Ca. Then through San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield, Larkspur and Gorte Madera, California put us in Sausalito. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco, California and the trip was over.
Our next stop took us thru Fernbridge, Ferndale, Rio Dell and Scotia, California. The road lead thru Stafford, Pepperwood, Redcrest, Weott, Myers Flat, MIranda, Phillipsville, Redway, Garberville, and Benbow, California. We stayed at Richardson Grove State Park.
Piercy was one of the next towns, and at Leggett we began our journey on route 1. There was a climb from around 500 feet above sea level to over 1500 feet above sea level. Then we made a ten mile descent to the ocean and on to Westport. It was interesting to go from the big trees to the ocean in one day. The sounds and smells of the waves were different from the silence of the forest.
Cleone, Fort Bragg, Mendocino and Albion, California were towns we traveled through. After Elk, California we camped near Manchester, California. Some of our group hiked about one mile to the beach and experienced the very cold water of the Pacific Ocean. It seems there is a Humboldt Current that flows past Alaska and brings cold water down the coast. The water in the ocean is always cold.
On through Point Arena, Ca., we traveled through Anchor Bay, Gualaia, Sea Ranch, Stewarts Point, Ca. The day was rainy and cold, so we stopped at Fort Ross, Ca., and spent our only night in a small motel. All the shivering riders were happy to be in rooms instead of tents.
After Jenner and Bodega Bay, Ca. we turned inland to go through Valley Ford and Tomales, Ca. On through Marshall, Ca. to a camp near Pt. Reyes Station put us in our final night in tents.
We road Sir Francis Drake Blvd through Samuel P Taylor State Park and our last views of Redwoods. On to Lagunitas, Woodacre, Fairfax, Ca. Then through San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield, Larkspur and Gorte Madera, California put us in Sausalito. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco, California and the trip was over.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
California
We have made our way down the Oregon coast, staying at Sunset Bay State Park, Port Orford, Brookings, and in the Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park. Through Trinidad, and stayed last night between Arcata and Eureka, California.Tonight should be in Burlington Camp Ground in the Humbldt Redwoods State Park, near Weott, California.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wild Coast Trip
Started our bicycling from Eugene,OR. and pedaled to Florance, OR. the first riding day. It rained for first day and night. Some sun on first ride and then rain again. Everything is wet. Logging is a large business in this part of Oregon. We encountered fast, noisy, logging trucks hauling huge loads of wood. I'll post some pictures of logged areas when I can.
From Florence we cycled to Sunset Bay State Park, near Charleston, OR. Some of the riders went down to Cape Arago and saw sea lions, seals and surf.
Friday, 9/10/2010 we are on the way to Humbug State Park, near Port Orford, OR. Fishing is one of the local ways of making a living. Fresh crab, and other sea food are for sale. I enjoyed a salmon burger. Wind off of ocean is cold.
From Florence we cycled to Sunset Bay State Park, near Charleston, OR. Some of the riders went down to Cape Arago and saw sea lions, seals and surf.
Friday, 9/10/2010 we are on the way to Humbug State Park, near Port Orford, OR. Fishing is one of the local ways of making a living. Fresh crab, and other sea food are for sale. I enjoyed a salmon burger. Wind off of ocean is cold.
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