While I was taken by the scenery, it also smelled so good! In addition to the vineyard grapes, it was so apparent that the air was clean due to few cars and industry, as well as the greenspace. It smelled fresh; it smelled like farm; and when summer transitioned to fall, it had its own crisp, leafy smell. This may sound funny, I know, but it was so noticeable to me whether I was in the woods or on the bike seat along the roadways.
And, how did I land here in 2020? The area is about an hour from family & friends I planned to connect with, it came recommended for cycling, and a new Airbnb listing showed up! While I did have one pleasant afternoon with family members, I was immersed in the beauty of this place. Driving elsewhere didn't seem to make a lot of sense to me. Driving seldom makes a lot of sense to me.
Yet, the calendar turns tomorrow, so I'm heading a few hundred miles west to Cooperstown, NY for October. No baseball and no expectations.
*Thanks to Earth, Wind & Fire for this memorable song to sing this month! Recorded September 1978.