The Tour de France ended on Sunday, and I'm going to miss my daily dose of that breathtaking scenery. Thankfully, we have our own little bit of Provence in New England.
Chris and I, along with our friends Dorothy and Hobgoblin, went for a short bike ride near Buttonwood Farm last Saturday. Every year, the farm plants acres of sunflowers, and sells the bouquets as a fundraiser for the Make-a-Wish foundation.
Though it was a little humid, it was a perfect day to ride and enjoy spending time with good friends. The only mildly scary moment was on the way back to the farm, when I almost ran over a nasty black snake! By the time I knew for sure what it was, I involuntarily swerved to the left and could've knocked Dorothy down, if it were not for her quick response time and good bike handling skills. I'm sorry Dorothy!
I wonder if they have snakes in Provence?
How beautiful. And I can't think of a better cause for those happy flowers to be growing for. I'm glad you avoided injury to yourself and others!! Stupid snakes. Grrrr.
Posted by: Karen | July 28, 2009 at 09:46 AM
All together now: "Ewww!"
Now that the snake has been dealt with: loved the pictures of the stone fences around the sunflower fields. Robert Frost would be well pleased.
Posted by: Barbara-Kay | July 28, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Snakes! Eeek! So gross.
What a gorgeous place to ride.
Posted by: Kara | July 28, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Beautiful sunflowers! Did you buy any?
Posted by: deb | July 28, 2009 at 02:40 PM
I always say that I don't like sunflowers...until I see a field of them. And then I suddenly decide that I loooove sunflowers! How pretty!
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | July 28, 2009 at 03:08 PM
Glad the sunflowers were in full bloom and that you had a pretty day to enjoy them! Sorry we weren't able to join you this time!
Posted by: sarah | July 28, 2009 at 06:53 PM
I love the sunflower fields! Parts of North Dakota are like that (since that will be the only thing of interest for 100 miles or so, it has an amazing impact).
Ok, I just got a giggle at the thought of a snake crossing the road and wreaking havoc on the Tour!
Posted by: Chris | July 28, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a field of sunflowers. They're gorgeous!
Posted by: Sydney | July 28, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Ew! Snake! EW EW EW!
I'm going to miss watching the TdF recaps as well...
Posted by: Brigitte | July 29, 2009 at 06:06 AM
Lovely photos! The snake incident wasn't your fault at all -- we ended up next to each other because I couldn't decide whether to jump ahead of you or behind. Oh, well -- the two of us and the snake are fine (at least I hope the snake is fine!). It was a lovely day, and I'm glad we could do it.
Posted by: Dorothy W. | July 29, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Those fields of sunflowers are really amazing! What a beautiful place for a bicycle ride.
(Except for the snake ...)
Posted by: Bridget | July 29, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Wow, I love the field of sunflowers! So bright and cheery.
Posted by: Meredith | July 29, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Ack, a snake!
One day last summer I was out jogging, and happened to glance down at the road... and there was a small (dead) snake. But, of course, I didn't realize it was dead at first. I felt like I jumped all the way to the other side of the road in one single leap!
(And, admittedly, even after I realized it was dead, it still gave me the heebie jeebies!)
Posted by: madalyn | July 29, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing
Posted by: sunsetknitter | July 29, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Bee-u-tiful pics, hoping to go there this weekend for a ride... unless the beach calls our name instead...
Posted by: Robin | July 29, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Me, I like snakes!
Kate and I went to Buttonwoods last week, though as their website warned the fields were not in full bloom as usual due to the weather. We did get bouquets, plus that delicious ice cream which is not weather-dependent.
Posted by: Kristen | July 30, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I've seen this field somewhere else! :) Such a lovely scenic ride--it does look like it's somewhere smack dab in the south of France. And in your own back yard! It sounds like a lovely day!
Posted by: Danielle | July 31, 2009 at 11:36 PM
The sunflower pics are gorgeous! What a lovely post!
Posted by: Leah | September 18, 2009 at 09:40 PM