Santa Rosa Creek Greenway Trail

Today was a biking kinda day.  We are in the rainy season here, and we are in between two rainstorms, so I feel kind of urgent to get outside when its not raining.   My daughters are split on their desires to participate with me.  One likes to hike, and the other likes to bike.   Since it had been over a week since we biked, I decided to look for a biking opportunity.  It couldn't be too far or too hard because she didn't really want to get out today, this was a mother forcing the daughter situation.  Therefore, I decided that the the Santa Rosa Creek Greenway Trail (part of Sonoma County Regional Parks) was the way to go because it is relatively flat, and it held the promise of getting a hot drink at Aroma Roasters in Railroad Square, Santa Rosa.  I knew that would be a good incentive for her, so that was our destination.  

We parked along Willowside Road, and hopped on our bikes to start to the trail.  It was 5 1/4 miles and slightly uphill to our destination with the Santa Rosa Creek on the right and views of vineyards, farms and mountains on the left.  The only wildlife I noticed from the bike was grey squirrels and mallard ducks in the creek.


We enjoyed the ride and had great conversations as we were riding.  I enjoy the multi-use trails because you can ride side-by-side and chat while riding - no cars to worry about.  You could tell when we were getting into downtown Santa Rosa as the houses were side-by-side, and we started seeing many more signs of homeless people.   I always say hi to everyone that I'm passing, especially the homeless.  I feel like it shows them some dignity and respect.  They definitely had an organized community of tents behind the 6th Street Playhouse.  I was so grateful that I had a warm home to come home to.

Once we arrived at Railroad square, I was happy to see that Aroma Roasters was open (I hadn't checked first, so that would have been a bummer!).  We locked up our bikes and headed inside to place our order. It definitely made us both feel good to be giving them business and to just be there - a place we were familiar with - doing something we had done pre-Covid-19.


We enjoyed our drinks while relaxing in Railroad Square then, we headed back -- we had just enough time to get back before losing the light.  The entire ride was 10 1/2 miles round trip, and we both enjoyed it a lot.  GG was saying that she was getting weary on the way, and was wondering when we would get there.  It was the perfect moment to discuss how great it is to have a partner exercising with you, because when you are with a partner, you often go farther than you would if you were by yourself.  She admitted that she wouldn't have gone at all, but she was glad she did!  (Yay! happy Mom!)

Here are a few more photos of the ride back:






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