Ignorance is Bliss (Langston Gap Road)

 Yesterday was such a beautiful day! Morgan was still at her girlfriend's house from a sleepover and my hubby suggested a nice morning ride. I"M IN!!

We looked at the map and we decided a short trip around the lake would be perfect and found this road. That looks like fun!

 NOW....if I had decided to check out the same map, with the terrain setting highlighted, I may have had some reservations on this little jaunt. That's where the "ignorance is bliss" factors in.

 It was a beautiful ride and a day not unlike the google map photos seen here. I think I even had a bug spot on my face shield like the google camera had. I started having a little bit of a warning as we were riding this road. The bottom left shows the little yellow man and the top photo shows the view. If you notice on the right of the photo where the clouds drop to a point at the bottom, right behind the tallest tree, I'm able to see the dim sight of a ridge in the distance. Note the hairpin turn on the lower map on the right.

 Now, I'm starting to get a picture in my mind of just what I'm up against.

 YEP.....looking straight on.

 And then, as we turn away, out of sight out of mind. Everything is right with the world.

 Turning here...there's no going back.

 "I can do this" just kept going through my head.

 The thing about this road is that the turns never ceased.

 I didn't have any time to look at the scenery...however I did remember this big rock pile.

 UG, I really need more training on turning going straight up. These google map photos don't do justice. Just look at that gradient on the map below it.

 They just kept coming!

 At one point I was thinking to myself...I would much rather be going down than up. (photo looking down).

 I also don't remember this scene...

 ...nor this!! I just kept saying "ALMOST TO THE TOP!!"

 Finally! I made it! Just beyond that treeline is the bluff. The rest of the way was a piece of cake and even tho the road was a packed gravel type, it was nothing to complain about. Nice scenery to boot.

 As it is in most places around here, a lot of the bluff views are blocked by trees. But I got a glimpse of one lucky homeowner's view off Sand Mountain. Wow! What a place to live!

 Coming back down off the mountain was much better. It's a nice gradual descent, but only affords one or two spots for a view.

 And of course Kudzu has swallowed up parts of the mountain.

 Looking back on where we were.

 Here too. That farthest ridge is the one we went straight up.

 We made it! Another big climb under my belt.

Here is my bike, while I'm in the house going through a little PTSD!!

hahahaha!

Happy Riding to all my biker friends!!

Mr. Intrepid

Even when I'm sitting all alone on my mountain, I always feel like there is someone watching over me!

Now you might not see him...

...now you do!

;-)

Staying Home

 Since Rachel's visit, I've found that traveling is a little too expensive these days so when you live somewhere you love, why not just stay home!

Unlike my little baby Bluebirds that flew the coop shortly after this photo was taken! He's giving me the eye!!

 This mom can stay close to home, so I guess I can too!

 The Summer Tanagers have arrived and the woods are full of

Robin-like songs of tweetle-dees and tweetle-dums.

 The papa Cardinal is ever chirping a warning call.

 Last year I planted wildflower seeds over my septic tank since it's difficult to mow there. This year new flowers are coming up that weren't there last year! It's such a wonderful surprise!

 I also planted this Rue and a Fennel for butterflies to munch or lay their eggs on, hopefully!

 I want a pond in my yard. Since I'm not financially ready for that I put a galvanized pail here last year and tried to grow pond plants.

I mostly grew algae, but the water was clear and this year I added a few "feeder" goldfish. I don't have any real good pictures of them yet, but I think they like their home in the bucket over the store!

 My beautiful Bottle Tree is growing. I've got some clear bottles that will be replaced eventually but for now, the pink bottle from Deb in Helena is taking the top spot.

Thank you Bette, for my beautiful Tree! It is a wonderful focal point in my yard!

Here's hoping that if you are having to stay close to home, you're world is full of beauty and nature!

Where Have I Been? Helena, Alabama

 Well, you know, every year Spring sets in, and in some places it comes a little earlier than others! This year we had a very early Spring and of course who can do anything but go adventuring at this time, be it on the road or in your own back yard! This Spring I finally went to visit Deb at Deb's Garden in Helena, Alabama. Rachel was here visiting from chilly NY and she, Morgan and I hit the road for a garden adventure, which was just splendid!!

One of my favorite things about Deb's Garden is the abundance of detail. Just enough of the little things that make you smile and want to sit a spell.

 Each item has a story and that's really what having a home garden is all about, isn't it! All the hard work mixed in with the experiences along the way.

 You can read all about this lovely garden by going to Deb's Garden and find out why I was so drawn to it and why I am so glad I found Deb! Click on her blog name to go there and enjoy!

After our garden tour Deb took us to lunch at a fantastic Pizzeria, Papa Saia's where we enjoyed the view of the river and the sound of running water from the deck.

 And after our delicious meal we walked the river and just enjoyed the wildflowers.

 Helena is a beautiful town and voted one of the top places to live in the States!

Deb,

Thank you so much for allowing us to come and visit your beautiful home and garden, for the great lemonade and wonderful company!

We had such a good time!