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Southwest
26 July 2021

Looking for new territory to explore today, I remembered a recent article in the newspaper about a huge mural being painted on a building on the southwest side of town where I seldom ride. Based on that, I decided to pedal in that direction. Surprisingly, although I've lived in Santa Rosa since 1984, I've never travelled on the rural lanes—South Moorland Avenue, Scenic Road, Primrose Avenue, Millbrae Avenue, Sunland Avenue, Arlington Avenue, etc—in that neighborhood outside city limits. Many were simply dead ends, but I slowly wandered up and down each little lane among "ranchettes" with horses, cattle, sheep, and goats.

Meanwhile, as forecast, I experienced highly unusual weather for July. Under dark clouds, the temperature barely reached 75° F. Even more unusual for this time of year, occasional sprinkles fell from the sky. Uncommon weather, but who knows what to expect around here any more?

All in all a ride slightly out of the ordinary.


I'm on the Smart Trail. There goes the Smart train!

A good omen.


After seeing an article in the newspaper about a new mural, I routed myself down Dutton into a corner of town I seldom visit.

There's the mural, still under construction. It's a big one.

Also rather photo-realistic, including shadows behind flowers and bees to lend depth to the image. Looks like an award-winner.


That's friendly Alina, supervising students working on the mural.

She wandered over and chatted about the project. It should be finished within roughly a week. Addendum: Here's the finished product.

As we talked, rain began sprinkling down.


Now I'm on Scenic Avenue. Never been here before. Very rural. Must be outside city limits.

There's Mount St Helena in the distance. And rain cloud—very strange in July!—above my head.


I'd be completely lost in this area, but I found this helpful signpost.

Paris is that-a-way.


The road ahead. And a few sprinkles.


Weird. These signs are rare, and this one is beside a very quiet rural road.

I can think of much better places to remind drivers to give me a little room.


Back on Stony Point Road, a much, much busier thoroughfare, I spotted this ghost bike.

Sometimes it seems like Santa Rosa must be a death trap for cyclists.

In any event, after puttering around quiet rural lanes, this focused my attention on the road with heavy traffic.


Given the opportunity, I turned off Stony Point onto Colgan Creek Trail. Much quieter.

If I've ever been on this pleasant paved path, I've forgotten about it.


A mural rather more informal than Alina's.


Back on the Joe Rodota Trail before turning toward home, I heard the Smart train rolling up the tracks.

There it is again.

Now I'm homeward bound.


Summary

Date: 26 July 2021
Time: 1:00 - 4:00
Weather: 65-75° F, overcast with occasional sprinkles
Route: Southwest side of town and nearby county
Distance: 31 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo

Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.

~ 98 ~



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