Loving Vermont

On Saturday I went on a lovely bike ride through some gorgeous foothills.  The hills were a bit challenging, but it was good to be out.  The overcast weather made for perfect temperatures, and it was a lovely, lovely drive. 

I grew up in the country.  I love the country.  I haven't lived in the country for way too long.  I do now live in a town, which is better than the city.  And I do get to drive through the country a lot--which I really appreciate. But being on the bike, I was in the country, not cooped into a car. 

My path

I felt reassured to know that there still is country out there!  (Sometimes I fear there isn't.) 

It smelled good, and felt good, and sounded good (just birds and insects--and my squeaky chain).  Whole flocks of little yellow birds absolutely delighted me at one point.  They went on and on and I was so happy.

I live in the Champlain Valley, between the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondacks of New York--and it's so gorgeous.  You can see the Adirondacks in a couple of the pictures.  The Green Mountains--which I see the tallest peaks of every day from work--weren't visible because of a really big hill.  So gorgeous. 

August in Vermont is pretty close to perfect.

Where a moose ought to be (I still haven't seen one in VT).

1465 miles 'til the Erie Canal (most of those are on my ride to and from work).