Out And About

 We are in the midst of a long string of cloudy days.  

Yesterday was predicted to be partly sunny and 72 degrees, but the sun didn't get the memo, and forgot to show.

Grey skies and cooler temperatures didn't discourage us from seizing the day and setting out on a bicycle adventure.  We are very lucky to live in an area of quiet, off-the-beaten-path types of roads.  

We can ride for miles and miles and feel completely safe.  However, without my electric-assist bike, I would never be able to ride as many miles as we do... for the entire area is nothing but hills!

We rode through farms, fields, forests. and fungi!!

Mushrooms catch my eye wherever I go... yes, I am obsessed with them - they are nothing short of fascinating.  (And to answer a question posed yesterday - the horses do not eat the mushrooms in the front pasture.  It seems that animals have an instinctive sense not to eat that which might sicken them... or worse.)

Yesterday these Jack-o-lantern mushrooms caught my eye... they are highly poisonous, but lovely.

Many of Summer's wildflowers have vanished, leaving behind the last of the goldenrod, a few varieties of asters, some chicory, and lots of toadflax.  The toadflax, originally native to Europe and Asia, looks a lot like a miniature variety of snapdragon, and is also poisonous if consumed.

Poisonous or not, I just love the name... toadflax!

Even on a grey day, the vistas we encounter, as we ride through the countryside, are beautiful.

We stop to say hello to all of the critters we see along the way.  A field of sheep who bleat their replies to Hubbs who cannot resist uttering a few "Maaaaaaa"s.

Cattle are always curious about bicycles.

And this herd of horses is new to the farm on which they were grazing.  This used to be a large dairy farm, but over the past couple of years we have witnessed their herd shrinking severely.  Now their grazing land is full of horses.


I would love to stop using fly masks on the equines.  But as long as it stays warm like this, the flies continue to be a nuisance.


One of these days... but, for now, dear donkeys, you must continue to see the world through a mesh screen.


Yesterday in a text from "the Littles's" Mom, I received these photos.  They had visited a local farm that has Fall Family Fun days.  I just had to share these photos!!



These pictures make my heart smile!
Have a wonderful Fall day!!!

Comments

colleen said…
Those are three cute "Little's"! They make my heart smile too. xxxx
Lisa said…
You've probably noticed by my Instagram posts that I'm a fungi nut also. They are so fascinated.
Lynne said…
Loved your pictures today …
Well, I love them each day …
Liked the thought of you having the bicycle electric assist
to be used in some of the high hills. Reaching the top
and looking out at the vistas, (no matter where)
is such a wonderful feeling of renewal.

If I was wearing a fly mask I would be hoping for less heat
humidity to arrive pronto as well.
Great that you can provide the protection.
I am so ready for cooler temps.
The fungi are having a happy season for sure . . .

Adorable “three littles” . . . wonderful pictures!
littlemancat said…
Sweet pics of the littles - the boys look so much alike!
And the photo of the old house with the Virginia Creeper - love it!
I always knew toadflax as butter 'n eggs but came across toadflax in English story books such as the Brambly Hedge stories by Jill Barklem. I think you and the littles would like them. Beautifully illustrated.
Mary
Marcia LaRue said…
You allow some of us a visit to your part of PA via your bike trips! Thank you for that ... it's the ONLY way I will ever see it!
You definitely have to have some "horse sense" when it comes to fungi!
Those "littles" are so cute.
I wonder if the dairy farm turned horse ranch may have acquired a bunch of our beautiful Wild Mustangs ... one can only hope!
This N That said…
Beautiful time of year to ride through the country side..Lots of Fungi around this year..There was a post on FB yesterday about a King Charles dog who ate mushrooms..threw up and got diarrhea..Called the Vet who said to push fluids and her would probably be OK since he got it out of his system..They found him dead the next morning..So much for them knowing what's poisonous !!
Sometimes I wish I had a fly mask.
Ready for summers' return??
Those littles are so darn cute....and the littlest little is getting bigger fast! I love the pics of where you ride your bikes...always such beautiful vistas around your area. Hope your flies disappear soon to give your equines some relief.
THE BEARDED ONE said…
AWESOME AS USUAL...WE WERE ONCE ABLE TO RIDE WHERE WE LIVE IN HICKMAN COUNTY.. CENTERVILLE, TENN...BUT TRAFFIC HAS GOTTEN SO BAD AND FOLKS FLY AND CUT TOTALLY BLIND CURVES..IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD..MUCH LESS WALK OR RIDE A BIKE...SO SAD...THE COUNTY FEFUSES TO PAINT THE ROAD STRIPES.SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO...YES...YOU AND HUBBS ARE SUPER FORNUNATE TO HAVE SAFE ROADS YOU CAN RIDE...WHEN I WAS PREACHING IN CHATTANOOGA I COULD RIDE THE SIDE WALKS UNTIL I GOT TO SOME SUB-DIVISIONS WHERE I COULD SAFELY RIDE..I'E RIDE 6 TO 12/15 MILES 3/5 DAYS A WEEK ..WHEN IT WASN'T RAINING...KEEP SMILING AND ENJOY YOUR GREAT CYCLING ROADS !! HAVE A SUPER DAY !!!


EDGAR C. BEARD