A red tailed hawk perching on a fencepost looks proud and confident, perhaps even regal. Surely, however, he has his embarrassing moments. He sometimes misses the field mouse, his powerful and fierce dive into the grass turns into an awkward crash with feathers flying and talons empty. But he doesn't pout. He regroups, lifts himself into the air, finds another perch, and he sits there as self-assured as ever.

Nothing new, really.

After yesterday's short MTB ride, I was able to head to the grasslands for an overnighter. The weather was perfect. This is the kind of thing I endure summer to enjoy.

I took the Chumba hardtail MTB out today. I rode MTB trails. But there where no mountains, and I'm not really a mountain biker.

...or how custom panniers elevated my experience.

It was especially quiet in the grasslands today. I hardly saw anyone. But that was as expected, or at least, as I hoped.

It was the day after thanksgiving, and gun toting pickup trucks blanketed green gates like a bee swarm.

Thanksgiving is the best holiday, and we all know that, right? There is nothing more encouraging than gratitude. The fact that it falls precisely during the best time of year is providential.

A rare two ride day. Perfect weather showed up when I had unusual flexibility. Loads of good light out there.

Sometimes photos can't show it all. This is especially true if the photos come from a point-and-shoot-the-phone-camera technique like mine are. I don't have the skills, quick reflexes, or technology to fully tell the story with images. My writing skills are similarly limited.

Today's weather wasn't attractive for cycling. But it was suitable for other things...like listening to raindrops in a pretty place, as a lucky man would.