Yard Art

No matter which way the wind is blowing, my favorite rides are in a Westerly direction from Marshall. After two months of riding in the wind, you begin to develop whatever those muscles are that allow you to suffer along in the blustery conditions, and you get through. I've tried all the tricks I know---and as long as the wind is sub 25 MPH, I can swing it. It's one of those mind over matter things. Perhaps I am getting a little thick in the head and it's helping. But you guessed it. The wind is back!

And even though it was blowing from the Southeast---I rode West, knowing I would have some struggling moments. Actually, I headed West and then South though...so I'd at least have a tailwind at the end of my ride. For the last two years that I have been riding in Lyon County (first as a visitor---now as a local), I've admired this farm out on Country Road 2 (just south out of Russell---over highway 23 about 3/4 of a mile in on the right). The yard is meticulous and everything is always clean and well groomed.
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When I rode passed it the first time, I thought that someone was sitting on the porch looking through binoculars...
(photo)
...But as you can see...with my zoom lens (ha!), it is a statue. Statues in the yard are very common here...and when your whizzing by on a bicycle, sometimes they are startling. I've been fooled by animal statues more than once. Is that a "real" farm dog (will it run after me as I pass)? Oh no, it's just there to fake me out! Or is that guy staring at me with his binoculars? Oh no...he's headless, and also fake!
(photo)
There are even some children statues hanging out by a little pool/fountain in the yard. Once I waved as I passed by, before I realized they were yard art. (note the blowing flags!)
(photo)
And there is something to be said for 40 miles of road with traffic like this---even if it is in the wind. Mike had his first "live" day at the office today when the gal who's region he is covering for until he gets his own (region) went into labor a month early.

Today the forecast is about the same as yesterday----maybe a bit warmer. I'm off early to get a headstart on the wind...