I want to apologize for not garden blogging much since my return from Mendo. I’ve been busy getting my teenager ready for back-to-school and trying to fit in as many bike rides as possible before the rainy season kicks in.
When I said I needed to “catch up in the garden” in a previous post, you should have read that as, “My garden looks like total crap right now and so does my house.” They do, but I’m trying not to stress about it. I’m having too much fun embracing this new fad called “diet and exercise” and have gone on some fantastic bike rides lately. I’m feeling better about my increased stamina and about getting rid of some of the junk in my trunk after just a few rides! Who knew moderately intense exercise actually had some benefits? I will inevitably fall back into my old, evil ways, but I feel I should ride this cresting wave until it falls.
The timing is actually ok because there’s a lull in the garden. Summer’s not quite over and we still have plenty of time to do flower & veggie Fall/Winter planting. In fact, I’ll bet nurseries aren’t very well stocked with cool-season plants yet.
I do have some gorgeous, unplanted plants sitting on my patio from some recent visits to Bushnell’s and Windmill. I feel bad for making them sit in their cans, but I think I’ll have them planted by the end of the week. And I’ll have caught up on deadheading and pruning. And my house will be cleaner. And little fairies will leave chocolate hearts on my pillow while dancing a little fairy jig. I guess they’re Irish fairies. Or faeries. Or ferries. Or ferrets. It’s a wonder why I’m always behind in my domestic duties… 😉
By the way, I’m going to start bringing a camera on bike rides. A camera that takes video. Ooh, I can’t wait to share the beauty. Must first figure out a way to attach the camera to my bike helmet. Has somebody invented a head lamp-type strap that holds digital cameras on your head so you can film video clips while riding? Please let me know if you’ve seen something like this. There’s always duct tape, but I’m looking for something a little more elegant and less painful.
Angela I know I’ve seen those cameras in use on Fear Factor but not sure where you get them! Taking a camera on your bike rides is a great idea though. A photographer friend of mine who rides the American River Parkway always takes his gear. He has a site at americanriverwildlife.com
Happy riding/shooting…
Christine,
Thank you for the lead! I will check out the Fear Factor camera “rigs”.
Ok, that does it. I just checked out your friend’s website and am INSPIRED! That shot of the snake eating the frog?!!! The bird shots? WOW! Do you know how he carries his gear?
REI sells a rack pack. I’ve been mulling getting this so I can bring my camera and a couple lenses. That camera won’t be strapped to my head, however. I’ll be using a compact digi cam to shoot video clips.
If I’d filmed video today, you would have seen a flock of geese fly right over my head, several egrets at close range and me screaming when I almost ran over a squirrel.
Last week, you would have seen me scream before nearly severing a RATTLESNAKE with my bike tires. I s**t you not.
Yours truly,
The Screaming Cyclist
I have a relative who sky dives and I believe the camera he uses is from this site.
Is that what you’re looking for?
C.C., that is really cool and I am such a gadget head, but I think I’ll have to rig up some sort of strap/pouch for my little digicam until I can afford a real helmet camera. Thank you for telling us about it, though! I will try to add it to my wish list. 😉
i like this entry because of the little amusing drift off onto fairies…
Angela,
I’m not sure how he deals with the gear thing but I’ve got an email in to get the skinny. I think he has a few favorite spots along the trails where he stops to look for photo ops. He is pretty good. He used to shoot for The Bee. Now he’s in online media.
Where are some good places to ride? Do you ride solo? I know there is a large homeless population along the rivers in Sacramento so I worry about a woman riding alone (both you and potentially myself!)
Thanks, Christine. I never ride alone (curse of being female) and even as a group we avoid the Discovery Park section of the trail. Even so, we’re in no danger of running out of trail. The thing is 32 miles long! The most I’ve gone (round trip) is 28.
You’re welcome to join us sometime! Shoot me your e-mail through angela@sacramentogardening.com if you’re interested.