Water, water everywhere!

One of many puddles we rode through on Saturday

We had a lovely break from the rains at the end of last week and over this weekend. I’ve been inside so much it was really nice to get out and take some longer walks and even a bike ride in Jackson Forest. But there is so much water all over!

On our property most of my walks have been limited to just around the vineyard, to the barn to feed my horses and then back home. I took a friend out on Friday and we took the long loop from my house, up and around the edge of the property and then to the barn and back home. We stepped through water nearly the entire time - soggy, squishy, muddy, wet. The only dry spots were along the ridge top where the water could easily run off. But even some gentle slopes were wet, where the grass had trapped the water and the soil underneath could not soak up any more water.

Beautiful sunshine pouring through the redwoods in Jackson State Demonstration Forest

The ride on Saturday was a mix of dry and wet. Most of the trails were at least not holding standing water, but they were damp and the roots were slick. Then there was the part of the trail that was more like a small seasonal creek, with the water running down the trail at about a two inch depth. It was sunny and warm and a bit muggy and I felt like this must be what riding in a tropical rain forest. At one point we were coming downhill and there was a sharp right turn through a puddle - my bike and I slipped and then my feet were wet. Just as they were starting to dry out, we road through another puddle, one long enough that we had to peddle and now all six of us had wet feet. But the sun was warm and we were outside and doing something we love, so no one complained too much.

Riding on the drier portions of the trails

It’s a bit misty as I write this but we’re supposed to get a few more sunny days before the next rains come. We all love the rain and all that it gives us, but I heard many people comment on how wonderful it was to see the sun shining again after so many storms.