iRide.2020.01.03 Curiosity

The full-width panorama in the collage (below) was not taken on my ride today. I took it early in the morning on my way to an appointment as a contrast to the photos from yesterday. Later, when I did ride, I had to go slowly and gently because of pain in my knees and the ache in my muscles.

When I arrived at my second turnaround, I thought perhaps walking might help. I have long been curious to know what the view south looks like from the summit of the gravel road that goes over to the Warner Valley. I crossed the cattle guard and walked up the hill. To my surprise there was another cattle guard at the top with an undemonstrative welcoming committee of black cattle.

It was very quiet and peaceful apart from the crack of rifle shots and the occasional whirring whine that I took to be ricochets. A jet plane flew out of the sun and landed down at the Sky Ranch runway. Several ORVs, both two- and four-wheelers, buzzed around on the road and among the bushes. The odd thing was that in the interstices of all that activity there was a delightful tranquility.

I reached the top of the hill: the photo above shows the view down into the Warner Valley. It was growing late, so I turned around and headed back down into the Hurricane Valley, as seen in the photo below. Strangely, it seemed further going back. The walking did help my knees for the ride home. I think I will be going back to explore this route a little further and get closer to those red rocks.

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