It's dry enough now to ride my bike Across the Road. I take Ginny to try and wear her out a bit. Yesterday I took a different route and decided to veer off the road that borders a walnut orchard. I don't know why I haven't done that before--veering off the road. Maybe because at other times of the year it's muddy or weedy (including puncture vine, also known as goats' head that puncture tires and dog feet) or being harvested. Or because I'm not the sort of person that goes off the trail. Maybe it's that I am not a big fan of orchards in this area. Almond orchards seem to be taking over the valley and the landscapes that I love are hidden once the orchard has been in a couple of years.