Early Morning River Glory Along the American River Parkway Bike Trail

Wow, sometimes the grandeur of the sky and a river's reflection are just breath-taking!  I snapped this photograph during a bike ride along the American River Parkway's trail. 

June "gift" day in Sacramento -- in low 80's and glorious!

 One of my favorite parts of the trails is the section between Northrup and Discovery Park, because of the birds and reflections I see easily along the trail.

This is just lots of leaves and algae, and an oak's reflection, mostly, in the "swampy" section along this part of the trail.

Riding a bicycle under the encircling arms of trees is always a soothing feeling...

You can hear the trains whistle and rumble along the train.  An approaching cyclist alongside it illustrates the simpler and more complex ways of getting around on Planet Earth!

This part of the trail is between Watt and Arden, along the trail, and you can see my bike and panniers throwing a shadow in the foreground.

A heron is just hanging out in the warm June sun, if you look closely!

The light was too contrasty here to do this beautiful bird justice.  A heron is such a beautiful bird!!!

A morning commute through misty Sacramento's American River Parkway trail

Commuting up to Gold River area on a morning when a mist rises from the ground at dawn is a great way to start a day!

A ride through a spring day

American River Bicycle Trail never looked better than this glorious spring day in April, as we meandered toward downtown Sacramento...flooding prevented us from getting to Discovery Park, but we had a great day and a few interesting detours.

Folsom, CA is FABULOUS on a spring day's ride!

A lone kayaker near Folsom's rainbow bridge

  

A DAY OF PEDALING FUN!

Wow, two of my friends and I had a great time recently, pedaling up the American River Parkway's bike trail from Main Street/Orangevale ingress past Folsom's Old Town, past Folsom Prison, and then over a long Folsom Dam overlook road, and up some HILLS.  (Said from a flatlander's perspective, but I'm telling you, we pedaled a lot of upward strokes!)  Weather was gorgeous, spring green was everywhere, river was tranquil and beautiful (always) in its meandering way.

We stopped at Briggs Station shopping center, once past the Dam, and had chinese food at a greasy spoon... then pedaled through some delightful bike paths that wind through Folsom neighborhoods and open spaces with lots of scenics to soothe our souls and delight our eyes.  One of my favorites was a magisterial-looking hawk sitting very close to the trail up on a tree limb's perch, and many views of the American River.  I've attached some photos of our day's delights.

Once we reached Old Town area of Folsom, we had a yummy ice cream cone at Snook's (peppermint, yes!), and then pedaled down the trail and back over to Main Street exit, ending up at my friends' home, a hot shower, pizza (without guilt), salad, and Babette's Feast, a film that endures well through time as a beautiful reflection on the importance of enjoying simple but sumptuous pleasures. A perfect ending to a perfect day!  Doubly so, shared with friends!

Prune, Gwen and I, celebrating a CLIMB towards Beal's Point

A scenic oak tree along Folsom bike paths

A view of the American River from up high

View of American River near Folsom Old Town