The lilacs exploded more or less overnight.
Our yard has suddenly decided that this is not a drill — it’s spring, for reals.
The daffodils and tulips are popping up. The lilacs and holly are flowering. The ornamental pear has already flowered.
Our backyard maple greets the morning.
The maple and wisteria are leafing out.
I even had to mow the damn lawn yesterday.
Perhaps best of all, it’s not too hot. Yet. This morning, when I rode home from downtown after dropping the Subaru at Reincarnation for its annual checkup, I needed arm warmers and knickers for comfort’s sake.
The ride was so pleasant I added a bit of extra credit/scenic detour mileage up Bear Canyon from Juan Tabo to the Embudito trailhead. What the hell, I was riding a cyclocross bike, and there were no pressing matters awaiting my attention.
The guys at Reincarnation weren’t taking five for any bike rides or flower-sniffing, though. That op’ was hoppin’. After a year of living cautiously it seems some Burqueños are ready for a drive that lets them get out of third gear.
Mad Blog Media 
April 12, 2021 at 12:55 pm |
Ain’t it nice? This time of year the morning decision is jeans or shorts. Shorts on the last few days. Did a nice 4 mile walkabout myownself yesterday. Might do it again today. Trailhead is a little further away from my joint than yours is, you lucky rascal!
April 12, 2021 at 1:48 pm |
Yeah, you have to appreciate the short-lived spring in our respective necks of the woods. We’ve already started running a small fan in the bedroom at night. Before much longer we’ll have to crank up the big boy.
April 12, 2021 at 1:04 pm |
Nasty wind up here today. Got home from a short 15 mile ride chilled to the bone. Funny what a difference 2,000 extra feet of altitude will make.
April 12, 2021 at 1:50 pm |
Yeah, but I bet nobody was shooting at you. That heats up a ride right quick.
In other news, I saw this notch that Scot mentions during my ride home. It’s the final jewel in the crown that is the North Diversion Channel Trail.
April 12, 2021 at 1:55 pm |
41F for the high here in Black Forest and comparable highs ahead for the remainder of the week … with snow and mixed in the forecast Tuesday thru Friday. All perfectly ride-able since I MTB and never get above 15mph … except for certain downhills. Those lilacs et al should certainly get your snotlocker draining and eyes watering. Carmex to the rescue!! 🙂
Reincarnation? Auto repair? Ingenious!
April 12, 2021 at 2:42 pm |
I’m over the 40s, except at night. Something in the 60s is nice. Seventy-two is perfect.
And yeah, I’m more or less in a permanent state of nasal discomfort. So far I’ve avoided drugs, which I consider worse than the allergies.
The Reincarnation folks are solid. They’re solar-powered. Plus they’re animal lovers. Pre-pandemic the office had a couple large birds chatting away, and there’s usually a dog and a cat or two wandering about, keeping an eye on things. They also keep bikes available for their customers in case they want to roll around to one of the neighborhood java shops.
April 12, 2021 at 4:16 pm |
Looks nice, by the way. Reminds me of what they did up in Calgary, literally building bridges-under-bridges.
My turn in the barrel as a slow rabbit is crossing NM 599. To get to the country roads N and W of town involves crossing 599, which is a four laner posted at 55 and driven at 75. The intersection at least has a middle area between the divided highway, giving both N and S bound traffic a go at me. State DoT is supposed to build an overpass but that has been the story for at least five years.
There is the option to pave a part of the La Tierra underpass so it hooks up both sections of Camino Los Montoyas. I suggested that and got crickets.
April 12, 2021 at 5:09 pm |
One of the underpasses along the North Diversion Channel Trail.
Click here for a larger version.
The underpasses along the NDCT are No. 1. It’s smooth sailing from UNM to Balloon Fiesta Park. Zero interaction with motor vehicles.
Not as scenic as the bosque trail, but not as heavily traveled, either.
You can use the NDCT in conjunction with Tramway, Osuna-Bear Canyon Trail, the I-40 Trail, and the Paseo de las Montañas Trail to put together some pretty decent loops that (mostly) keep you off the mean streets, though you will encounter a few homeless encampments.
The stretch between the eastern end of the I-40 Trail (at the Hampton Inn, I-40 and Carlisle) and the start of the Montañas trail involves some high-speed unpleasantness along Indian School, especially the bit east of San Mateo, but hey, nothing’s perfect.
April 12, 2021 at 5:41 pm |
Reincarnation. That’s cool. Every time I get under my Ferrari red petrobox, it’s Reindamnation.
April 12, 2021 at 6:01 pm |
I sold or crashed all the high maintenance cars. Only Subarus now.
April 12, 2021 at 7:33 pm |
I wish there were a shop called Reanimation. I’d take the shift knob from my 1983 Toyota longbed down there and have them clone it.
April 12, 2021 at 8:13 pm |
Please clone your Vespa and send me a copy.