The dry spell ends

We're in a pretty severe drought this summer, i can't remember the last time it rained. Of course the dry spell ended on my first "real" ride after work ride in a few months. I think "it" knew I was feeling Norcal today, so the weather followed. I actually like riding in the rain, something about it that's hard to explain...you just have to go with it, soak it up.
Left work early to sell my truck. Didn't feel like riding the 6 miles back to work to be there an hour before heading right back to the bus station so I loaded up on the 4:40 bus up to Ned. Up the canyon, thank Bob for the ride, and cruised the tarmac to Very Male. Half-way up it started to sprinkle, then rain. No lightning though so I kept going. This wet and round granite sticks out of the trail making jumps but also knocking you all around. I flatted less than 300 yards into the trail. Damn 26" non-tubeless wheel. This trail is amazing in the wet weather - part norcal and part Vermont...hmm, i guess that's full Colorado when it rains. Wet aspens lighten the darker woods as the narrow singletrack drops nearly 800 ft in 8 tenths of a mile.

Then onto the sacrifice zone, 1st time this year. Not a soul in sight with the rain coming down....the the way I like it. The trails here have gotten kinda trashed...loved to death. Spurs going every which way the eye turns.

The view from the new front deck. What an awesome night! After the rains the light hitting the trees was just stunning. All the critters come back out, seemingly enjoying the new moisture. Looks like the 3-legged coyote paired up with the 4-legged one we've been seeing and had some young, as just before dark we heard a family of coyotes howling in the back meadow.