Shootingstar... your favorite home route sounds lovely! They say when we are away from things we love, it makes us only love them more. Sure your roads will be happy to see you when you return.

My favorite has a farm house I love. It's one of two that I think could be a picture perfect postcard of the Midwest. This particular one has the most beaufitul flower frontage I have ever seen in a spread.

One day the house owner was out tending the flowers. In her big straw gardening hat & long sleeve shirt to boot. Just completed the image for me. I had to stop and tell her how lovely they were.

Little does she know that her house was the one inspiration to me when I first started cycling to "at least ride far enough to see the flowers". Which is a 15mi flat loop from home btw.

Now, I have other favorite routes that are much further. But, I try to make a point if near this house to swing by and pay homage to my scenic cycling motivation.