Riding close to Home

Temperatures in the high 20s, overcast and windy. Not exactly the best in terms of riding conditions lately. There was very light flurries of ice/snow that was disappearing before even hitting the pavement, at most, making it look moist but no ice buildup yet.

That's what I was looking at shortly before Noon today when my wife asked me that since I was gearing up to go riding, could I also drop off a couple of letters at the post office.

There was some teenager giving me the "you must be daft" look as I walked out onto the cul-de-sac to see what the wet looking pavement felt like. It felt just fine and so I rode out.

I will admit to some trepidation and cautious negotiation of the turns to get me out of the neighborhood and onto Smoky Hill Road. Still, no slipping or sliding, the moist roads were just that, moist but traction issues. Still, it was below freezing the whole time I was out, so I was glad to see the roads turn dry soon afterwards, probably from the windy conditions.

After the post office, I wandered down to the park located South of the intersection of Orchard and Tower Road. Again, here's the tree I like to pose my motorcycles by, the weather being cold as it was, I had ridden Maria once again:


Afterwards, I returned to Smoky Hill Road and headed East towards the local Golf ball shaped radar dome near the intersection of Smoky Hill and Aurora Parkway. It's a familiar landmark that one can see from pretty far; and it reminds me that I am close to home every time I spot it when returning from longer rides.

I got lucky, these geese flew into the picture as I readied to snap it

Nearby is the Beacon Point neighborhood, it has guard tower-like structures at the entrances and one large version at its Western end. You can almost picture a sentry high atop a similar tower back in the old days, watching for intruders. Today it was just Maria riding the sidewalk for a close-up shot.

The Sentry must be on a coffee break

Finally, I wandered the streets of my neighborhood until real snow flakes started to accumulate on me and Maria. I rushed over to the local high school and it's announcements electronic board to show you the temperature. Yes, again Maria was on the sidewalk....bad girl.


I went on home amidst the light flurries. As I write this, three hours later, there's perhaps a dusting of snow accumulation so far and not much more expected by the weather-guessers. Here's hoping they're right!