Winter cold descended on our house early last year, too early for me, and spring was reluctant to show her face this year. But, finally, oh joy, we have lift-off! Spring is here! I'm not gullible enough to put away my sweatshirt or heavy jacket yet, but, really, Jimmy and I have spent these past few days outside, loving every minute.
NorCal is a riot of color, now, too -- flowers and trees and shrubs rigorously blooming, as though trying to outdo each other, naturally heedless of tomorrow. Our yard glows with bright white native Pacific Dogwood tree flowers. 2024 is a banner year for these trees.
See? This is just one of our dogwoods.
A few more from our yard: Clockwise from top left: One of those almost-saucer-sized dogwood flowers, red tulips from Ananda bulbs, iris surrounded by Lunaria, another tulip, and a close-up of the red-red-red tulip center. BTW, the pinky-white tulip is fragrant!
This has nothing to do with Johnny Cash, obviously. I just love flowers. In mid-June we're flying to Europe to join friends on a boat-bike tour, and we're excited about it. We'll be riding their E-bikes for six or seven days in a row, so we thought we'd better try riding our own E-bikes (brand is Giant) a couple of consecutive days to get our heinies used to being in the saddle! This is where we rode both days, nothing major, 15 miles the first day, 18.5 the next. I'm happy to report "no issues."
The City of Folsom is about an hour down the hill from our house. It's also the beginning of the American River Parkway trail that runs on the north side of the river all the way to Sacramento. And the start of the Johnny Cash Trail on the south side. Our ride began at Beal's Point on Folsom Lake, above the dam. The dam is still releasing water.
We recently saw on the news that a seven-foot-tall sculpture of a guitar pick will be placed near Folsom's Rainbow Bridge as a tribute to the late singer.
Thank goodness for E-bikes, 'cause there's nothing flat in NorCal.
Jimmy is approaching Robbers' Ravine Bridge,
which carries quite a history on its own.
The trail takes you up to Folsom Prison where Johnny Cash -- aka the Man in Black -- performed for the inmates. A piece of the giant prison pokes out of the trees, top left.
"Big House Museum" Since we saw a museum sign on the trail, we actually rode up to the prison gate, where a pleasant (and burly) guard told us the museum only opened on weekends. I took my picture and we skedaddled under the guard's watchful eye. We may return sometime ....
The prison sits atop yonder hill; you see its cement block wall above. We enjoyed riding along this scenic trail amid rolling hills dotted with oaks, covered in a lustrous green grass.
Haha, I got the stew startled out of me by this fella. Top left, I heard a noise behind me. Top right, in a flash the guy whizzed past me. Bottom left, my face records my surprise, and bottom right, off I go to join Jimmy. Those scooters are fast!
We paused on the Folsom Truss Bridge, as usual. This bridge connects Johnny Cash to the American River Pkwy on the other side, and a complete loop could be made. It takes you into downtown Folsom, too. Many possibilities exist to go hither, thither and yon hereabouts.
Always popular American River -- one kayaker in the distance and a SUP'er closer in. Plus the usual Canada geese and a Merganser or two.
We rode for a while on the American River Pkwy and spied Folsom's Prison wall from this side! Looks pretty sturdy!
Finally, on the second day, we continued riding on top of the dam past Beal's Point, overlooking Folsom Lake, amazed by the beautiful display of lupines. And poppies.
These two days of riding brought us to new trails and vistas, which is always good, and in perfect weather. I think we'll be ready to ride in June, and we will truly be in new territory then! From Bruges, Belgium to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Wowzers.
