Transport

We were walking Ozzie along the road to his favorite swimming hole on Santa Rosa Creek this morning. The road runs next to a large state park called Annadel. It is It is ironic that we have to walk Ozzie along the road instead of on a leafy forest trail because dogs are not allowed in state parks. Bicycles are, however, and this car, one of many like it, was parked in a large parking lot near the Visitor's Center. This struck me as a very typical picture of  at least two forms of California transport. After taking the picture we trudged off down the road with Ozzie and his sticks....

There are lots of bicycles in Sonoma County. Riding a bike along a country road through the vineyards can be a very pleasant experience, but it can also be dangerous. Most country roads have no shoulders and lots of curves which obscure visibility.  On Los Alamos Road, which runs past our house, there is a large yellow sign which says HILL OBSCURES VIEW. Seems gratuitous if not downright insulting since one is on said hill when one sees the sign. 

Cars are supposed to give three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist, but this is often difficult and they are forced to follow at bicycle speed. Tempers have been known to erupt, especially when alcohol is involved as it frequently is on roads that wind through the vineyards and the tasting rooms. Perhaps a sign that says WINE TASTING AFFECTS JUDGEMENT is needed here and there. 

A lot of cyclists prefer to drive their bikes in or on their cars to a state park where they can roar around the trails and footpaths to their hearts' content. The only signs have a picture of a dog in a circle with a red line through it. The bikes on the back of this car are dirt bikes with fat tires, designed for just such action. That leaves the dog owners to fend for themselves and their pets on the road. 

Sometimes there are just too many rules....or too many people....
I wonder if there might be another mode of transport in the box on top of the car?