Unocchio's 6 Mile Bike Ride fotos

The 6x8 oil sketch was inspired by the ride out into the countryside.

Maybe the next one will be a knife painting.

This area has certainly grown and expanded over the past 30 some years. There was a time when "out in the coutry " was just over the back fence by the irragation ditch. Now there are sub-divisions everywhere and we need to look a little to get out into the country ..... NEVERTHE LESS .... there is still some rural area here and some of the developed lots are 20 acres +/- ..... that makes it a little more enjoyable. Since you were not here and could not go on the ride I took the time and space to give you a foto tour taken on that trip.... some even while ridng .... next best thing to having been here. Take a deep breath from your diaphram ... breath in that fresh air ... imagine the birds singing and chirping ..... hear the water bubbling and flowing in the river and irrigation ditches and let's go ......

This time of year the river is usually still high from the rains and the snow melt run-off ... but this year we had much more rain in May than in the past 30+ years ... so there is plenty of water. The hay and alfalfa is growing well. You can see that as we take our bike tour. Everywhere the ditches are filled and several fields were flooded. Notice that the grass crops were cut in many fields and even bailed already in some. Perhaps this year they will be getting 4 cuttings.

I didn't shoot every barn in sight ... just a few of the older ones and those of some interest. The newer "ranches have large luxury homes and brand-new classy barns. I'll shoot those some other day. the old farm houses and barns are disappearing quicker than we'd like.

Down here in the central valley there are hills on all sides. I tried to get that feel for you by shooting in all directions. You can see there are hills in the background no matter where you look. This is not the scene one would expect for that desert place called Nevada...... this is a fertile valley with horses, cattle and crops. The air is clean and it is peaceful.

Yesterday it was about 79 and today it was low 80's. Still good biking weather. Who knows, I may be able to get out there again tomorrow to smell the freshly mown alfalfa and listen to the red-winged blackbirds warning me away from their nests.

It's good to get out ... at least go for a walk in the cool of the morning or the cool of the evening