Winds Of Change

Arrival
Originally uploaded by Unknown species

I ventured out for yet one more ride yesterday and was struck by how much the scenery has changed from the lush green fields I rode through back in April to the barren, silent landscape of November. It was a wonderful summer and has been an incredible fall. I never dreamed I’d still be riding in November yet there I was, down at the bridge one more time. The railway bridge at the end of the pathway has become the symbol of my rides for it represents the turnaround point. I have arrived at my destination—now all I have to do is make it back.

The ride out was easy with the Chinook winds pushing me along. Coming back was another matter entirely. Even on dead level ground it’s tough to push against a forty or fifty kilometer an hour headwind. This is the price we pay for the warmer temperatures—a gusty, wicked wind from the west. According to the weather channel the gusts were in the fifty to sixty kilometer per hour range, almost but not quite enough to push me back to the lake. Needless to say the car was a very welcome sight.

Even with most of the wildlife gone and most of the crops already in, there was still a few things out there to take pictures of. The low angle of the sun this time of year makes for some great reflection shots off the lake or canal. Then there were the geese--just about the only birds left other than the odd seagul and a small flock of swans. The honking is a constant background noise--the only sound in an otherwise silent landscape. Soon they too will be on their way.