The Week in Bloom

Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)

Since I was a teenager I’ve always ridden nimble, road racing bikes and my attention has been on speed and navigating the road to avoid flats. Inspired by our rural environs and the Rivendell ethos, I’ve recently swapped out my racing machines in favor of a sturdier, Surly Long Haul Trucker, outfitted by Mike Varley of Black Mountain Cycles. The easier gearing, fatter tires and loose-footed pedals enable me to shift my attention to the surrounding landscape, and I find myself making frequent stops as I cruise the country roads connecting villages, farms and waterways. Here are some roadside blossoms seen over the past week on my regular, 10 mile loop ride between Freestone and Occidental, varying in elevation from about 145′ to 667′ above sea level:

Wild Lupin (Lupinus perennis)

Gravenstein apple

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)

Coastal Tidy Tips (Layia platyglossa)