BIKE RIDE TO THE HILLS EAST OF MANNHEIM
I am so thankful that I can enjoy these beautiful days.    I decided to head for the hills.  Along the way I went through the strawberry fields, which are ripe at this time and are being picked.  The strawberry aroma coming off of the fields is unbelievably wonderful.  Strawberry essence to the fullest.  I also saw more of the small, cut yourself, flower gardens.  I like that you can go cut your own flowers like this.  I wasn't sure if I knew where I was going in the hills.  I knew east/west/north/south direction but not much more and at one point in the woods, I thought I really could get lost.  But I made it home just fine and had such a wonderful day.  My legs felt like noodles tho.  I am not sure how many miles I went, I was gone about 5 hours.  I didn't find a Eis or Gelato shop tho, so sad about that.  But after I had a shower,  I had a white chocolate chip cookie that I made yesterday.

These red poppies are frequently found at this time along roadsides and train tracks. 

The bumble bees like these poppies.

This photo has fields of strawberries, barley, wheat, corn, and chard.

Heading towards Straßenheim.  I'm headed to those hills in the distance.

More poppies

Don't know the name of this wild flower, it resembles a member of the lupin or pea family.

The strawberries being picked.  The smell is wonderful.

The Straßenheim water tower. I will turn right towards Heddesheim.

The sun is shining on the glass at the top of the water tower.

I'm getting closer to the hills.  This is a lake named Waidsee near Weinheim,
which is visible in the distance on the hill.

Here I turn and go towards Großsachsen.

This is a self cutting bloom field.  These flowers are Pfinxrose.  They smell great.
I was given some of these last Sunday after church. 

Pfinxrose come in red, pink and white.

This is me near the flower garden and a old stone bridge over a small stream that I thought was lovely.

The stone bridge and my bike.

I think I went towards Großsachsen at this intersection.

On the bridge over the railway tracks that go to Weinheim.  Getting closer to the hills now.

I made it to the hills.  Now I am on a small gravel road.

The rest of the ride in the hills, was on dirt or gravel small roads or paths.  I didn't see a single person until I came out of the hills several hours later.   It was wonderful.  I took some breaks (because I was breathing so hard) to listen to the birds and the forest.

OK here I have to walk up this steep part.  It doesn't look steep in the picture.
I am breathing really hard and pushing the bike.
But the forest is so pretty.

Ah a switchback and a little bigger path.
I can ride a bit and walk a bit on the steeper parts.

A little better gravel road. 

A weather hut in the forest.

The sign says something like:
Your dog also poaches
if you let him roam
You are then just a night animal abusers
You're doing so to also avoid prosecution
Help us protect

A sign on the hut. 

Another little picnic house in the woods, has a path up to it,

This is significant because I am seeing the other side of the mountain,
the backside,
I made it over the TOP!

Back over the top again to the side I started from.  In the distance is where I live.

In the distance you can see the Mannheim Luisen Park tower.
And further on the horizon would be the Bad-Dürkheim hills.

The park I must have been riding in.

Another pretty pick your own flower garden.

THE END OF ANOTHER WONDERFUL RIDE.  MISS YOU ALL!