This morning when I was riding I caught a whiff of sweet broom and was reminded that the sense of smell is the most powerful of all of them, and one of the reasons I like riding so much. Whether it's flowers or manure, at least I'm always "in the moment," for better or for worse. By the time I've got where I'm going I'm fairly fully aware of the places I passed through, which is more than I can say when I drive a car.
Home again this late afternoon I hiked in the hills above my neighborhood in Point Richmond. One part of the trail was absolutely overloaded with broom laden with yellow flowers, the heady scent as strong as if I was sniffing from a bottle of perfume. I walked slowly then, to make it last — the yellow flowers, the perfume, the blue bay sparkling below, the families in the park with balloons and barbecues. It's a shame that it's an invasive species but, so are we. I suppose the best we can do is try to contribute something sweet.
Happy spring riding, with all your senses.
Makes me want to sneeze!