Between two bodies

After making it to the top, seeing the Sun set, I started the descent, coming around the corner and I see this, the full Moon bright and commanding, I was so startled my instinct was to grab my brake and I almost went over the bars.

Mother Shasta I love you!

The setting sun makes for a reliable yet brutally indifferent training partner. Although it was nice to know the higher I climbed, the higher I would rise above the horizon line, and the longer I would have. I made it to the dome before the sun dipped below the Siskiyous.

Sun and Moon, two celestial bodies we know well, see almost daily, and have come to depend on and trust.  Amazing to think that we often find ourselves situated in the balance between the two.

These pictures are from a late fall ride with Sweet Melissa up to the top of Mt. Ashland.  With cold weather and snow now covering the hills it seemed like a good time to recall this afternoon outing in the sun, and eventually the moon. 

Always cool to see the shadow of Mt. Ashland spilling east across the valley. Shadow puppets anyone?And now a look to the west, beautiful. I am fortunate to have this out my back door. Just over two hours before this shot was taken I was teaching a lively group of 6th graders about fractions and exponents, I guess this was my homework for the night.

Sunset is the one time of day the angle of the sun casts my shadow so I can look it in the eye. The Moon rising as the sunset casts my shadow.

The last section of road to the top.

The sun set and I lost my light to the west, however, I was descending on the east side of the mountain, which means the light to guide me was just beginning to rise and illuminate. Emigrant Lake below, majestic in moonlight.

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