TALLADEGA SCENIC HIGHWAY ON MT. CHEAHA ~ ALABAMA ~ photo taken by Dianna Stover
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Monday, February 28, 2011

PIC OF THE WEEK - CRIMSON CAMELLIAS

I really don't want to be one of those obnoxious people who likes to "rub it in" but... damn if we didn't have a nice weekend here! Harley and I set out on the Glides about 9:30 Saturday morning with the temps at a cool 51 degrees, but we were warmed up to 81 by 2:00! And it's only February!

Small old cemeteries are a very common site when your riding throughout the county roads of the south. They're usually close to little country churches, dappled with a handful of tombstones, most of which are leaning and tilting, and so old and faded, it's hard to see the writing on them. While taking a short break near one of these spiritual pieces of real estate, I noticed this beautiful Camellia in full bloom.

CRIMSON CAMELLIAS
I just love how the red color pops out against the backdrop of brownish green as the landscape tries to rejuvenate itself towards Spring. Color like this is what catches the eye while your cruising by at 70. I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Tidwell are enjoying they're crimson camellias as they rest peacefully and I hope they didn't mind my sharing them with you.

I know we've been having two weeks of great temperatures here, but the cold is not gone for good. We are in for more winter weather ahead, but as long as Mother Nature dangles these beautiful Spring like days in front of me... I plan to take full advantage of them! Besides... my ol' girl likes to sunbathe!

Hope you all have a great week! Ride on!

Lady R

11 comments:

Learning to Golf said...

Had us some rain and cold temps this weekend, but it is looking promising for next week. 80's in February might be a bad sign, so I don't think you're bragging.

Webster World said...

Ahhh! I can smell your spring from here. The bloom's and just the general smells.

Unknown said...

Lady R:

I love your spring too. We hardly get into the 80's, even during summer so for sure, we are very envious. We are hoping that our last blast of winter is our last for this season. The sun has just come out and hopefully will melt all the ice and snow

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

Mr. Motorcycle said...

I'm soooo jealous..... You suck!

Willy D said...

Believe it or not, we had a ¼ inch of snow here Sat. It melted by morning. But we built a snowman!

Lady R (Di) said...

AZD... Remind me in July when I'm complaining of melting on the road, my excitement over high temps! Unfortunately, the cold is not gone for good, just taking a nap.

Webster... I love how spring smells too. My favorite is Honeysuckle but it's too early for that yet.

Bobskoot... it would be a perfect place if the southern temps would stay around the 80's and 90's. BUT... good year round riding comes with a high (mercury) price. During the middle of the summer, we get temps so hot, we could melt your snow from here!

Mr. M... sluuuuuuurppp! :D

Willy D... you guys get snow like we do. For a day at best! I hope you got a picture of your snowman... he might turn out to be a famous guy.

Unknown said...

Thank you for the post! These things started blooming at the office and I could not for the life of me, remember what they were called. The reds are the prettiest, the blooms almost look like velvet.

Lady R (Di) said...

Jocelyn... your welcome. We have 4 white camellia bushes on side of our house, and our neighbor always compliments us on them. I like the red ones too.

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Lady R:

I do not find it in my heart to be jealous of the current temperatures in Alabama, nor of those in Key West, where a certain Triumph rider dangles these before his riding bretheren in the north... Because as you have noted, July is coming.

On my visits to the deep south, I have been moved at the little family cemeteries that are set aside in farm fields and in the shade of hardwood stands. I often thought how nice it must be to keep in touch with family members long gone, in the comfort of a place that they knew too.

It will be two more months before we experience the joy of roses here in Pennsylvania... And I'll be riding lonfr before then... Hopefully.

Sincerely,
Jack Riepe
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

Willy D said...

That ain’t Mr. & Mrs. Tidwell resting there. They’re both named ‘William’. One was 37, the other was 19. Me thinks it’s a father & son.

Lady R (Di) said...

Jack... Yes, July will be another story altogether! That is the sacrifice of living somewhere you can ride all year long. June, July and August are a real challenge to stay hydrated and comfy while frying like bacon on the asphalt. That's when our fuel stops turn into a quick one woman wet t-shirt demonstration, as I drench myself before we roll again. I usually wear a long sleeve white shirt and the wet cloth feels like air conditioning on my skin... for about 5 miles anyway. lol!
Welcome to my blog... come back and visit anytime.

Willy D... errr. I stand corrected. Truth is... I think the Mrs. is one of those flat markers next to pa. (or maybe... I just found that stash!)doooh!