I ride my bike to the RV park’s fitness room each morning, and then I park it against the trunk of a palm tree. To get it situated just right so it won’t blow over in the wind while I’m in the gym, I have to duck under the fronds.
Palm fronds rubbing together in the warm wind is a susurration like no other. They clack more than rub, since the lowest fronds are the oldest and therefore brittle.
These are the small sabal palms, the Mexican variety in the US only in the Rio Grande Valley. At the entrance to our park are the tall royal palms, but these shorter sabal palms have been planted one per rv site, doled out frugally.
Our site has a sickly desert willow instead, and I sure wish we had a sabal palm so we could string Christmas lights along the trunk and listen to the green fronds shush and the brown ones clack.
How long has it been since I walked in the woods by myself and thought about the sound of a tree? Or found an awkward seat among roots in the dirt?
I’ve been enjoying independence on my bike. I’ve been kayaking under white pelicans. I spied that giant buck in the woods. But I haven’t walked among trees in way too long. For right now, resting my bike against one palm with rustling fronds is enough.
And, this morning my bike tree had been trimmed, so no more clacking. I got a good workout in anyway while my bike rested against the bare trunk.
Growing up in Hawaii, I know all about palm frond susurrations and clacking. Keep enjoying your breather!
That’s right about you and Hawaii – I’d forgotten that. You really have been around, for a sticks-and-bricks guy. 🏠
I enjoyed accompanying you on your bike ride. It’s very cold here, so this was a lovely escape.
I’m glad to provide a little vicarious warmth and greenery. I do not miss winter.
Being a born and bred Yankee, palm trees always seem exotic to me. I had no idea they clacked. Fascinating…
I’m the same – I get excited when we’re traveling south and I see my first palm trees. I always think of movie scenes, like Hollywood! Las Vegas! Not Texas, lol!