End Days of August~

I had so looked forward to daughter Courtney & the Grand-kids visit!  The days went by Way too fast!  It seemed like they had only arrived - then they were gone...  Oh lonely me...

When we visited Farah - Courtney had headed in to the stable & before I knew it - led Farah out.  Mason & Cassidy were petting her - giving her cookies & it did my heart good to see she not only remembered them - but had missed them too.

Farah listening~

Today - the two of us were back at Waubonsie - doing what we've been doing for many years now - riding trails.  I thank the Lord for this mare - I've yet to add up the miles we've gone - but it has to close to five-thousand, even with the dismal distances we do here.

Goldenrod~

I think this is a variety of Goldenrod, it was stunning to ride past.  It had been three weeks since we'd last been here & there were a few changes.  All of our work from the BCH work party had held up well!  I didn't have as much trash as usual to pick up, just juice containers from the fire pits & never ending cigarette butts.

Now - water back in the creek~

Temperatures have been in the mid-80's, but humidity has been a little higher.  There was a light breeze & fluffy clouds that cooled things down when they passed under the sun. 

I had Farah's shoes pulled & took her for x-rays mid-month.  The results were great - no mechanical or physical issues with her pasterns or hoof capsules, no coffin bone rotation, no sign of arthritis.  I've left her barefoot for now - no need for shoes on the trails we usually ride.

New picnic table at the three rest stops~

The new picnic tables are Great & won't need the maintenance of the old wood ones.  Many thanks to our new Park Ranger Ryland.  Someone had used blue survey tape to mark a tree that needs to be chain sawed out.  This was Rayland's idea too - we carry the tape - mark the issues - then park personnel can clear it.

Grazing at nose level :-)

Farah is determined that this is our break spot - whether I think we need a break or not.  We'd gotten out of the habit of the lunch breaks that we always had in WA.  For one thing - we're not riding as far & when the bugs are so bad - stopping is a bad idea!  Instead - we kick back for a while when we return to the trailer.

Leaf dancing in mid-air~

When you see the leaves defying gravity & dancing in the air - you know that Fall is just around the corner.  I even managed to capture the spider responsible for the beauty.  Spiders?  We must have gone through 50 webs in ten-miles!  The second time around - a few of them stayed down!  

The rear view~

Farah enjoyed her bath & grazing while I had my snack.  No one was there when we arrived & only two ladies returning to their trailer when we left.  It was so very quiet - it's the quiet here I do really love.  Listening to the sounds of nature is so cathartic to my soul~ 

Solar Eclipse!

View from the park~

Like everyone else, we were excited to see the solar eclipse!  At our house, we were in the path of about 98% of total.  Butch took the day off & since the Grand-kids were visiting we decided to go south.  We wouldn't have to travel far to find a spot where it would be total & decided to go to Indian Caves State Park, NE

A busy place!

At the Park's suggestion, we purchased our day passes on-line.  On the drive down, there was probably the most traffic we'd ever seen on I-29.  At the park entrance, we were surprised to see all the volunteers, very well organized & just a short line of cars.  We handed over our pass & were looking for that perfect spot within minutes!

Cassidy, Courtney & Mason

With the most people I've ever seen at the park, everyone was courteous, friendly & the atmosphere was one of subdued excitement.  The cloud cover was heavy, but the clouds parted off & on while we watched.  Each time, the crowd would cheer & we could see a larger & larger chunk being taken out of the sun!  The photo above was just a few seconds before total - which lasted just under 2.5 minutes. 

"Sunset"

I think we all expected it to get darker earlier in the eclipse, but once it started - it came on Fast!  Seeing the Sunset - was the most beautiful part for me!  It never did rain & was the coolest day of our Summer!

At the Cave~

We packed up & headed over to show the kids the caves & have a tail-gate picnic lunch.  By then, the sun had burned through most of the cloud cover & once we'd parked, we again got out our glasses to watch as the Moon's shadow left the Sun.

Petroglyphs

Here too - there were many visitors from as far away as Canada, Texas etc. all enjoying the unusual day.

Portion of the cliff face above the caves~

A little too crowded for us, we went on down to the river - so the kids could say they'd been on the banks of the Missouri!

Mighty Missouri River~

Soon, we were on the road for home & that's where we sat in a very long line of traffic.  There had been a big fender bender at the intersection before Brownsville.  We took a gravel cut-off & once back on I-29 traffic was about normal for the area - i.e. none!  :-)

It was great to have the opportunity to see the eclipse with the kids & experience a couple minutes of total darkness!

Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha~

From the first time we'd driven past the Dome of the Henry Doorly Zoo - I had to ask what it was?  I first mentioned it to our friend Linus - who had actually worked there for several years!  He & everyone else seemed unanimous - speaking high praise of this attraction. 

Knowing that Mason & Cassidy would be visiting with their mother, we purchased the Grandparents Pass.  It was a great deal, allowing both of us & up to six children admission.  

A Great Zoo~

We'd planned to go during the week, to avoid the huge weekend crowds.  As we purchased tickets for the train & Skyfair - heavy dark clouds dominated the sky & thunder boomed.  Rain to a bunch from Washington State?  No Problem!  :-)  We were about the only people without umbrella's & had to laugh!

In the Lied Jungle~

Having been given lots of good advice on how to plan our day - we decided to go in to the Lied Jungle first.  It was like walking into a tropical rainforest!  There were waterfalls, streams, ponds & many, varieties of creatures.  A swinging rope bridge & the sound of the rain storm on the roof really added to the experience.  Our timing couldn't have been better, when we emerged from the jungle, the rain had just let up & everything was so fresh & clean. 

Next was the Butterfly & Insect Pavilion!  What a beautiful place!  There was a double door & mirrors so that you could check to be sure you weren't taking butterflies out with you!

Yummy fruit lunch~

We all agreed that next had to be the African Grasslands!

Cassidy, Papa & Mason

The Giraffe's were so calm & friendly - more than happy to take leaves from the children's hands.  the enclosure was large enough that the younger ones could actually run a little!

Up close & eating leaves :-)

Elephants, White Rhino's & other big game animals were in this area.  We were exited about riding on the Skyfair!  After looking at our map, we thought it would be the perfect way to get to the far northern end of the Zoo & see everything in-between!

From the air!

What a wonderful ride!  We crossed above animal enclosures, gardens, ponds & the views were great!  Since we were going to where the Lions are kept - it was thrill to see this big lioness snoozing!

"Typical cat" :-)

When we were in Greenfield a few months ago, I met a lady who asked where I'd started school.  When I mentioned the basement of the Lutheran church - she said;  "My brother started there too!"   I'd managed to run into the sister of one of my best childhood friends - Doug.  As I told Linus the story - he informed me that Doug is now the head Vet of the Zoo & a world expert on White Tigers.  Having a description of him, as; "Tall & a big man." I kept an eye open for someone of that description without success.   He is known for walking out & about at the Zoo, I do hope we manage to meet one of these days.

Desert Dome~

The largest in the world, this is more amazing from the inside than the view of it from out!  The temperature was perfect!  If you click on the link above, it will take you to a fact sheet & the facts of this exhibit are incredible.

Cassidy & Butch~

Lets face it - when it comes to sheer CUTE - Lemurs have got to be in the top ten!  Some of the expressions on these little guys faces had us laughing!  I think they enjoy people watching as much as the people enjoy watching them!  Cassidy was ready to take one home :-)

lemur~

The collection of cactus was incredible - especially when you realize we're in Omaha - not the Southwest!

Cactus~

In a way - it was like one of the futuristic movies when mankind has to live in domes to survive.  The birds here could fly around all over the dome & did!  It was so fun when one of these beauties landed close by.

Bright colors!

When we thought we were through - we discovered that their was an entire world below us!  As Mason got excited & Cassidy was ready to walk right it to the deep darkness - I was the one who could have passed on this exhibit!  :-)

A very Big guy!

While I would have passed - Kingdom of the Night -the kids loved it!  I kept wondering which of the creepy, crawly creatures in this barrier free habitat would crawl over my feet!  :-)

Mason & Butch moving the big ball!

It was a relief when we finally found our way out into the fresh air again!  :-)  We ended the day's adventure at the Imax - with a very informative show on The Great White Shark!  As we were walking back to the truck - we realized we'd been there for over eight-hours & hadn't seen it all!  No problem - we'd be back!

BCH Work Party at Waubonsie~

Several of our Back Country Horsemen's Chapter members spent last night camped at Waubonsie.  This morning Butch & I drove down to meet up with everyone for our scheduled work party.

Our Banner!

Ryland, the new Park Ranger arrived with plenty of pruners, loppers, hand saws & a weed whacker.  That equipment, along with what we'd all brought, gave us plenty to do!

Butch, Robert & Ryland~

After a short meeting to discuss our game plan - we got to work!  The one chore that we were told no volunteers wanted to do - was picking up the two piles of manure at each end of the horse corrals.

Sue, Amy & Vickie

No slackers when it comes to work - we ladies took one pile & Butch worked on the one at the far end.  We used the wheel barrows for a large portion, then Ryland came by with his Gator & that made things easier!

Robert hard at work around the corrals~

We cleaned the inside & outside of the corrals & got all the weeds knocked down.

Clean fire-pits

Next, fire pits!  All the trash was removed & the pits left with just ash in the bottom.  Wouldn't it be great if they were always left so nice?

Butch's work~

With Butch & Robert working with the weed whackers - it was amazing how much they got done.  I took off with my loppers & started working all along the edge of the mowed area.  I cut back all the bushes, vines & shrubs that were encroaching onto the lawn.

Connie & the loppers~

Leave it to me to find a way to cut & chop!  I did leave a lot of piles - Ryland said they'd do the pick up & haul away for us :-)

The sink hole~

The good news - is that the park plans to fix the sink hole later this year!  That would open up the closed spots for camping again! Our friends planned to ride out in the afternoon & cut out some wire that's caused a couple accidents.  What a good feeling to spend some time at such a nice park.  We hope to obtain grant money next year for manure bunkers!

We left at noon - our Grand-kids were flying into Omaha!

Sign of Summer - Cicada's!

Waubonsie has become our go-to place.  On hot days at least the trails are in the shade & shade is hard to come by here.  Of course there's the workout that we can get with all the hills, then the quiet during the week is so nice - we're usually the only one's here.

Very obvious signage~

 Two men were just finishing up the mowing when we arrived!  I picked up what trash I could before the mowers hit it!  The fire pits are a mess too.  People use them for trash, rather than their intended purpose.  We'll be cleaning them out this weekend.  Such a shame that so many nice campsites are now closed due to the road erosion.

Farah thinks she hears something :-)

 It was super nice out on the freshly done trails.  There had been quite a few horses on them over the weekend, we found trash out there too :-(

As the title of this post suggests - it's the time of year for the Cicada's!  Since I was almost always in Iowa during the Summer months - the sound is one I associate with childhood.

Dead Cicada~

In the deep woods, they can get very loud!  I took the video of Farah trotting along just for fun - but if you can listen closely - they're in the background.

With temperatures in the low 80's it would have been a little nicer without what felt like pretty heavy humidly - at least to me!  The video above was taken over one of the few flat sections of trail!

Slit River~

 It was a super quite afternoon too & so peaceful in the dappled sunlight of the Timber.

Through Tall Trees~

One of those dreamy days of Summer that go too quickly.  Farah worked hard, we were both much wetter than our wonderful ride of last week.  When I go to unsaddle & my hand hits dripping sweat at the cinch - I know it's been humid.

Cinch with foam`

Speaking of cinches, the Montana Cincha I've been using for several years now is still my favorite!   Mohair, with Neoprene under the buckles it has never galled & helps to keep the saddle in place.  Here, I rinse it out almost every ride!

Butch & Farah at the farm~

We started back all too soon, I had an appointment with the Farrier.  We decided to pull shoes for the next few weeks.  I've not been back out on the gravel & she has a little thrush.  I think the shoe keeps more of the dirt etc. packed into the bottom of her feet & it's so nice to have her barefoot!

A Perfect Summer Ride~

Many thanks to Waubonsie St. Park & the contractor that has been hired to take care of the trails!

For two days now, we've been having perfect weather!  Perfect!  Mid-70's no humidity, few bugs, a light breeze & nights down into the low 60's!  I'd spoken with the new Ranger at Waubonsie & the word was that all the trails had been graded!

Farah hears other horses~

I just had to go see for myself - an excellent excuse - as if I needed one - to ride!  There was only one large trailer at the park, with probably six riders heading out as we pulled in.   I took my time saddling up to let them get some distance ahead of us on the trail.

Graded!

It was obvious right away!  This soil is so sand like - the footing was very soft & fluffy.

Creek bed~

The creek is holding water in spots, but large sections of the bed are just mud - still not dry.  The grading looked super & another plus - all the Stinging Nettles were knocked down & far off the trail.  This is the first time I've been witness to the maintenance cycles of this park & others in such a different environment from the one I knew so well.

The dirt had been evenly spread out across the face of the hill trails too.  I had almost memorized where the deepest of the erosion holes had been, so when we started our gallop up the first, I kept Farah off to the side.  Mid-way up a horse had punched through the surface & into the holes. 

Holes in the trail~

Certainly from a walk, but I'm going to mention it - packing some dirt into these areas would really help, since now - there's no way of knowing that they are there...  I'm wondering how long it will take for the surface to settle & how much rain will effect it.  My hope is that it will be a good long while before it begins to erode again. 

Heading up~

We never did run into the other riders & when I made the turn onto the far loop, there were no hoof prints.  It was just so gorgeous out - the second loop is just under two-miles - we did it twice.  Wonderful to not have all the obstacles in our way! 

Maidenhair ferns - happy in Aug.

The sandy, loamy soil of the Loess Hills is evidentially the perfect environment for the Maidenhair ferns.  When I think of how many times I tried to start them in my woods in WA without any luck!

Big Tree Loop

The tree we found down on Tue. was still there, but now the trail goes around it.  Neither Farah nor I wanted the ride to end. 

A dead tall tree~

I'm calling this loop Tall Trees Loop.  It has at least three that are really huge.  This trail runs low enough - with so much protection from the winds that they have a chance to grow huge.  Even so, there are a few twisted & broken, as there are everywhere.

Another of my favorites~

Our BCH Chapter will be having a maintenance day at Waubonsie on the 12th.  We want to do some work in the campground area, maybe remove some old rusty fence that's down & see what else needs to be done.  I was excited that we had permission to take weed whackers out - but now that the grading is done - there's no need!  

We stopped at the house to wait for Butch & I put Farah in the backyard.  She immediately went to grazing & did Not want to leave when Butch went to gather her up! :-)