Fall is Definitely Here

We supposedly had a few drops very early Sunday morning, but I wouldn't know it, not getting outside until close to 10:00am. I geared up and rode to Auburn, CA for a quick bite and to read the Sunday paper before heading another few miles to Meadow Vista. Friends were setting up a couple of nets for some pickup volleyball games.

I made sure I bundled up well before leaving the house, but decided to put away my jacket liner after my meal. I figured it was around noon and things have warmed up a bit; also, what's a few miles even if it may still be a little on the cool side? A few miles of a chilly cold ride, once you factor in the windchill factor.

The temps got just above the mid-60s in the foothills, and there was a slight breeze blowing and some patchy cloud cover. Dark, patchy clouds. The occasional rays of sunshine breaking through were warm and welcome. The weather reports dustings of snow up in the mountains, Lake Tahoe included.

I'm just hoping that the storms passing through will subside long enough for a ride next weekend, or the following weekend, to witness the forests' changing colors. But I'm sure the triple digit temps are all behind us now... fall is definitely here.

Autumn 2009

Officially arrived today at 2:18pm PDT. And we reached triple digit temps here in the Sacramento Valley.

Late Autumn 2008

We are almost two-thirds into the fall season, and unlike the Arizona desert where I was born (and left at the age of 20), Northern California has the traditional four seasons. For the most part. Today's temperature reached 80 degrees, and Saturday's forecast calls for more of the same. Heck, the town of Napa almost hit 90 degrees today! We're breaking records here.

We really need some rain (and snow in the mountains), but other than that, I'm not complaining. I'm gonna don my leathers and go riding!

Forecasting Fall

The clouds came in Friday, and I experienced a few droplets of rain on the way home from work (I still commuted on my motorcycle). It wasn't like I was going to melt. Late in the evening the rains came, with enough falling to give us a good overdue soaking. My alarm clock scared me up this morning to overcast skies which slowly broke way to blue and sunshine. Temps climbed to at least 70 degrees while clouds still loomed along the horizon. I rode out for lunch and stayed around town; perfect day for a long ride if it weren't for residual road dampness and slippery leaves where I might end up riding. Or more weather, especially up in the mountains.

Our weather forecast for the coming week will be pleasant days in the low 80s!

The Last Summer Weekend

Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach,

I feel it in the air - the summer's out of reach.

Empty lake, empty streets, the sun goes down alone.

I'm drivin' by your house though I know you're not home.

But I can see you, your brown skin shinin' in the sun.

You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby.

And I can tell you my love, for you will still be strong

After the boys of summer have gone.

- Don Henley

The autumnal equinox falls on September 22, 2008, meaning this will be our last weekend of summer, folks. And sure enough, my silver maple tree's leaves are falling. Time to wave summer goodbye.

Ghoulish Month

Since this fall weather has arrived early in Northern California, Halloween feels nearer than it actually is. But then of course, the costumes and treats have been on store shelves for probably about a month now. I missed the costume party last year, and if memory serves me correctly, it was because I was out of town that day (Oktoberfest Open House at Ozzie's BMW Center in Chico, CA I believe). This year I have already responded to an eVite providing a solid tentative... no excuses for ditching it outside the unforeseen. Or the ghoulish and gruesome (heaven forbid).

So for the month of October I have included a Bobby "Boris" Pickett classic on the Radio.Blog.Club player just above my profile (and ghastly mug). And possibly more to come... the month is still young remember?

And Then Comes the Fall

Summer is officially coming to an end... Fall begins on Sunday!

It arrived a little bit early when our weather began to change mid-week (this past week). Today's high was perhaps in the mid-60s - quite unusual for our area. And some rain showers. No matter, since Autumn kicks off with a forecast for a fair day that may reach temps in the low 80s.

Go figure.

I'm not complaining, since I missed out on motorcycling today yet I can still salvage a riding weekend. However, I prefer riding on Saturdays and then taking a sabbatical Sunday to relax (and in my mind at least, to get some errands done around the house... yeah, right).

Apple Hill

One of the areas I rode through on Saturday was Apple Hill, a community of apple orchards, wineries, pumpkin patches, xmas tree farms and other businesses near Placerville, CA (the area's address puts it in Camino, CA). When I was younger, Apple Hill was an annual destination when I was dating Patti. It was also where I took Sharon on our first date (picking up a pair of pumpkins to carve for the upcoming All Hallow's Eve).

Here you can find just about anything apple: apple cider, streudel, crumb cake, butter, jelly, fritters, ala mode or ala not, caramel apple, apple taffy... the list goes on. You can smell apples (and autumn) in the air; the leaves begin to change and, as so with the temperatures, will soon fall.

Uh, I'm waxing nostalgic. Sounds like I may be riding through again, only this time I'll stop and enjoy some time there.