Grapevines found while walking Lucy

Did you know that grapevines like to grow by water? I did not. We have vines that grow by two streams on the neighborhood loop, and this afternoon I was up walking in another neighborhood and lo, if they didn't have vines also by their streams. The grapes start out in small, tight clusters and then blossom into a sticky, deep purple. I'm assuming they were domesticated at some point, and staged a garden breakout to live by the water. That sweat, heavy smell is a harbinger of summer.

Discovering our resident grapevines was a fringe benefit of walking. It's not the kind of thing you would notice in a car. Even on a bike you might be too concerned about oncoming traffic or unfilled potholes to catch the pungent fragrance. But with walking, you amble by. Walking a dachshund, who inevitably finds things of interest and will pull this way and that, you have plenty of time to stop and observe. Lucy gives me the excuse to get out and see that which I otherwise might miss.