Scenes From A Sunny Saturday Cycle

***Saturday, April 24, 2010***

Saturday afternoon brought warm sunshine, clear blue skies 

and practically no wind

(which around here means winds of 25mph or less).

True delight for cycling.

The kind of day made for riding a bike outdoors.

So I did.

Setting off cycling for a Saturday afternoon ride along country roads surrounded by farms and ranches, I found so many reminders of

why I love to ride

and why I love living in the country

now here in the great Southwest.

Even though I always thought of myself as more of a city girl, I realize now I've probably always been more of

a country girl at heart,

now more than ever.

There is so much beauty all around,

up above, below on the ground, out on the horizon.

Beauty.

Wild beauty.

(Please forgive slight film on camera lens.)

Wildflowers of all colors are blooming along the roadsides. Bright oranges, yellows, whites and more. Such raw beauty.

Whenever I ride my bike around here, I always smile and wonder why people still think New Mexico is desert.

We are definitely not desert.

We are rich farmlands and large cattle and horse ranches.

We are long, peaceful country roads.

We are wide open spaces

under endless, deep blue skies.

I love watching the changing seasons as I ride my bike.

This is one of my favorite times of year.

Spring planting and the ground is green with growth.

On Saturday, I met up with the three horses I'd seen under a shade tree on another ride earlier in the week.

(Yes, we even have trees in NM.)

This time, all 3 horses came close to the fence for a better look

at me on my steel horse

as I looked at them.

And then, as all good stories do,

this one ended with true love ~~

and a kiss.

(I told you I'm a country girl at heart.)

Ah, I love country life.

~~Janet Lyn~~

***What makes you love where you live?***

Learning to be content with what you have

and find the unexpected joys all around you

brings a peace and sweetness to life

wherever you are.~jl.