Between Storms . . .

 . . . I still get out for bike rides about once a week on the sunny days. Between waves of wind and rain storms the days have been sunny but cold and sometimes windy. Yesterday I went for an impulsive ride to Bellewood Farms, a kind of touristy spot on Guide Meridian which specializes in locally made hard apple cider and distilled beverages. They also have a cafe, bakery and gift shop, a pumpkin patch, plus outdoor seating with fire pits, corn hole games and a tot-lot for the little kiddies to play while the grown-ups sample adult beverages.

When I looked up their location online the store website gave the travel distance as about 12-13 miles, but that turned out to be the round-trip distance. Guide-Meridian isn't the nicest bike route around, but I was surprised to arrive at the big red barn less than a half-hour after leaving home. I've never visited Bellewood's shop, though, so I stopped in for some hot apple pie and a look around. There's a well-stocked pastry case, appetizing soup & sandwiches, and tables displaying locally made gift and souvenir items. There's also a distillery on-site, and a cider-tasting event was scheduled for the afternoon, but since I don't drink alcohol I didn't sample those beverages.

Local shops are already setting up for the holiday shopping season. Normally I would complain that it's too early but after a couple of pandemic seasons, the lights, festive decorations and crowds of shoppers at the mall are a welcome change.

After my premature rest break I extended the route a little on Ten-Mile Road, for a 17 mile ride. Along the way I passed by a couple of small apple orchards and fields of young blueberry bushes, with views of craggy Canadian peaks in the distance. Also got stuck behind some trucks hauling manure - the farms are still pungent this time of year. Luckily they turned off after a short distance. Drafting behind farm trucks is not recommended.

Trumpeter swans still gathering in the stubbly fields