The Path We Know

We finally got back on the bicycles, and it was good. We hit the Norwottuck Rail Trail late this afternoon. Crossing the bridge, the Connecticut River is still flowing fast and high.



The currents caused big eddies behind the bridge support pylons.



Down below, this lone pigeon seemed trapped on a log that was jammed on the pylon. The water racing past...



Eventually, the bird must have suddenly remembered it could fly, and he made his escape.

It was perfect biking weather today, in the high seventies/possibly low eighties. It was very refreshing to be back on pedal power, feeling the warm gentle breezes and the farmland smells, (you know which smells). Seems like things picked up right where they left off last year. There was even a balloon floating overhead, just like our final bike ride on the trail last October.



Some kids were playing some ball on the Hadley Town Green. I wonder how many generations have done just that, right here, over the years..



We made a stop at the Hadley Garden Center, right off the trail. Kelly's got her mind on reproducing last year's successful herb garden. They have a very good selection of all things gardeny in there...



While Kelly entertained herself looking over the parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, I found my gaze drifting to a big fat Bumble Bee buzzing nearby. My hand instinctively reached for the camera and turned the zoom dial; one finger wavering over the shutter button. The bee was too quick though, and zipped away at the last second. He would suddenly reappear again and dart off, foiling every attempt at getting a pic of it. I discretely but determinedly tried following/chasing the big bug around the garden center, trying not to trip over bags of peat moss, garden supplies and planters. The wily bug always stayed one step ahead. Finally I lost sight of him, for good I thought, and was just about to give up the hunt. But then Kelly came around the corner, and lo and behold, the wily bee came around with her; buzzing just off her left shoulder.



I aimed, I snapped. Gotcha. It wasn't the closeup I wanted, but I got him with a long distance shot. It was time to move on, as the owners were beginning to take notice of my antics. We saddled up again. Next door, Pete's trail-side drive-in apparently is closed for now (thanks for the info Dominique), but hopefully will be back in business soon, being in such a good location...



Across busy Rte. 9, the buffalo are still roaming, at the Bison Farm.





This Woodchuck realized how exposed he was, and ran off when we stopped for a look...



We went as far as the South Maple Street break area, and paused for a few minutes on the rocks, to enjoy the great view of the surrounding farmland and Holyoke Range.



I finished off my now melted first-ice-coffee-of-the-year, and we began heading back.



We detoured a little, and came back via the riverside trail; a fine sunset-watching spot.





The sun now gone, we still had the nearly full moon to guide us back to the car.



It's good to be back on the trail...