Pedal to the Petals.

The weather last weekend was slightly iffy.  The forecast predicted periods of rain, light showers, and even sunshine. Saturday we opted to do yard work.  We managed to weed and edge a few of the shrub beds in the back yard then went on a 5 mile (8 km) walk.

Sunday the weather was supposed to be a little worse.  Saturday night the forecast said rain was to start at 10 am.  By 10 am the rain hadn't appeared so we checked the forecast once more.  It was 55˚F ( 12˚C) and no rain predicted until noon.  Sufficiently inspired by Sonja and Roland's bicycle ride in single digit weather with ominous skies, we opted for a bicycle ride.  I decided on my Treks Hybrid because the seat is more comfy than my mountain bike and Troubadour chose his Electra Relic beach cruiser with the coaster brakes, how brave.

We rode east along Campus Way, a paved multi-use path, that heads east towards the OSU Campus.  And it just happens to have a covered bridge along the way.

(Irish Bend Covered Bridge spanning Oak Creek - Campus Way - Corvallis, OR)

We stopped for a picture or two and continued on our way. Soon we arrive on the Oregon State University Campus.  This was the first weekend of Spring Break and so there were not a lot of students or faculty wandering about.  Perfect time to explore a little. See a campus map HERE.

Troubadour was in the lead and we found ourselves drawn to the magnolia trees in the Memorial Union Quad.  We couldn't resist the lure of the trees in full bloom.  Even the sun came out to play.

(Notice Troubadour riding down the stairs in the background)

(He made it down the stairs just fine)

(Another beautiful magnolia)

(The Relic in front of the Memorial Union Quad entrance)

Across the Quad I spotted a peace sign woven out of what appeared to be willow branches.  I had to take a closer look.

(Peace sign made of willow branches, complete with silk rose)

Just beyond the peace sign was another large magnolia.  The brick building made a nice backdrop as did all the spent blossoms on the ground.

(Magnolia - OSU Campus, Corvallis, OR)

(A view across the Quad - you can see the other magnolia trees)

(Close up of the magnolia blooms)

Back on the bikes and we meandered a little further.  I stopped to check out a Rhodie that was blooming. 

(Rhododendron in full bloom)

(Close up of the Rhododendron blossoms)

Troubadour spotted a clock tower so we stopped for a picture.  At this point the skies had clouded over and it was starting to spit a rain drop or two.

(Clock tower by the Valley Library - OSU Campus, Corvallis, OR)

I did a little tweaking with an app on my iPad and made one of Hubby's pics look a little bit more "old timey" to go with his bicycle. This was the result.

Instead of turning around at this point we carried on east towards town for a few more pictures of the walking path.  This oak tree lined path is a favorite spot of mine.

Unfortunately this is where my camera battery died.  We didn't bring the other camera or either of our cell phones.  Oh well.  We were just a few blocks from my office so we rode down to use the loo. (One too many cups of tea before the ride)

While at the office we debated whether to ride home or leave the bikes at the office and go have a chai latte and wander around downtown a bit.  I peeked out the blinds and it was raining - heavily.  I looked at the clock and it was 11:50 am.  Damn, the rain was right on time.

Well, that escalated quickly.  More debating ensued.  Do we wait out the rain or just pedal for home? We said "screw it, we aren't going to melt" and I can make us chai lattes at home. The rain didn't look like it was going to let up.

Out into the rain and only 3 miles (4.82 km) to home.  At one point I was wishing I'd had a pair of gloves with me.  My hands were cold and dripping wet and getting colder in the wind.  Luckily we both were wearing Columbia water resistant jackets and also water resistant pants.  In Oregon you have to dress for undecided weather. Neither of us wore a helmet since we knew we wouldn't be mingling with traffic.  Brad was smart enough to wear a hat.  Me? Not so much. 

Our faces and hands were soaked, but for the most part we weren't cold, just our hands.  And we were smiling and laughing the whole time.  We did stop under the covered bridge a bit for me to warm my hands.  By the time we came out the other side of the bridge it had lightened up considerably and by the time we got home it had stopped.

Sure - if we had of waited downtown it would have stopped and we would have kept riding.  Oh well.

And no, it never rained again for the rest of the day while we sat inside, drank chai lattes, and watched a movie. Theory of Everything. It was a good movie and I recommend if you haven't seen it.

Troubadour is teaching Team Oregon this weekend so there won't be much else going on.  Maybe next weekend.

- Au Revoir

" My two favorite things in life and libraries and bicycles. The both move people forward without wasting anything.  The perfect day: riding a bicycle to the library." - Peter Golkin

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