Bluebird of Happiness

I spied with my little eye ... an unusual pair of deer in the brush while climbing Alpine Road. Never be surprised to be surprised!

The northern end of our route today was more than “misty.” By the time we reached our turnaround point, we were windblown and our sunglasses speckled with drops. I considered heading back to intercept our remaining two riders, but once we stood with our backs to the wind we agreed we could stay the course.

We were fortunate to arrive early enough to lounge alongside the lavender at the Pulgas Water Temple; by the time we left, they were closing off access to the grounds for a private wedding.

We had parked our bikes nearby in the grass, where a California Bluebird commandeered my handlebar as a handy vantage point for worm-spotting.

We wondered how some of our comrades had fared today on their route to the coast; we learned that several had turned back, but the one we met at our rendezvous point was fully decked out in his winter gear, the very picture of determination (and preparation). Content to be the fair-weather riders we are, we had wrapped up 33 miles, 1,740 feet of climbing—finishing dry, with a tailwind.