Brushy Creek Recreation Area~

Our first time camping in Iowa & in 18-months!  I was so happy we'd be visiting the Brushy Creek Recreation Area.  Every horseperson I've talked to said it was the nicest place to ride in our state.

It was our shakedown trip & required new logistics.  The drive down to the barn where Farah is boarded is so steep, we decided to pick her up with the Bronco & bring her home.  Once home, Butch would hitch the trailer to the truck & we'd be on our way.  The trailer had a flat...  Only the second time in 22-years & heaven knows how many miles - that has happened.  Butch put the spare on, took the tire for a repair & we were on the road a little later than we'd planned.  Traveling here is so different from what we've been used to.  No multiple lanes full of stop & go traffic, no stop lights & once we turned off I-80, just miles of country roads with no one in front of us the entire way.  A 185-mile trip, I used both Google Maps & a paper map to navigate our route.

Farah stands tied~

Check-in time was 4 p.m. & we were there well before that.  I was a little concerned - we'd never asked Farah to stand tied for a weekend.  She's always camped in her electric corral where she can move around, roll, etc.  Our spot was in the north campground, it's smaller than the very large one to the south.  A beautiful area with clean restrooms & plenty of water hydrants.  Almost everyone had huge rigs with large living quarters, the comfortable choice here in such wide-open country.

Setting up camp~

Butch hooked the beefy carabineer clip I use with my Blocker Tie-Ring to the heavy gauge wire bolted between the hitching posts.  It took Farah about two-seconds to figure out she could walk from one end of the posts to the other, the clip sliding along.  I was so proud of her.  Not once over the weekend did, she test it, even when we were away at the registration table & the nearest horses left on a ride.

We'd volunteered to help with the BCHIA Poker ride.  Sat. morning, we woke to sunshine & what seemed like a very cold wind!  Registration started at 8:30 & we finished up a little after 10:00.  By then my hands were frozen stiff & I was ready to saddle up & see what I could of the over 40-miles of trail!

On our way!

Farah was feeling fresh, I had on my North Face vest!  We had a map, our neighbors had offered to wait to ride out with me, but they had one young horse described as slow to the extreme.  I decided we'd be better off on our own.

The view from the Preserve Trail~

We traveled about two miles south along the edge of the park road, before finding a rider who told us we were on track.  Around the next corner would be the start of one of the prettiest trails here.  Wow - is about all I can say!  It was totally like something out of a Mark Twain story!

Perfect footing~

Farah is barefoot & the footing couldn't have been nicer!  Soft dirt & we did some moving out!

Underpass~

After riding through the stunning timber, we came out on the above underpass, just a couple miles from the south equestrian camp.  We met so many friendly riders & it was such an incredibly beautiful day!

South camp~

 We took a short break here - most riders were out to get their five punches to draw five cards & be eligible for some of the great prizes.  As usual my cards didn't win us anything - so after a snack I decided to head north & take different trails.

Woodland~

The country in the park is so varied!  From timber to grasslands, each area so different than I'd imagined.  I decided to find the All-Weather Trail around the lake to get back to our camp.

At the stream~

It was so wonderful to find this beautiful stream!  The water was crystal clear with a rock bottom.  We were both reminded of Pilchuck Creek, one of Farah's favorite spots.  She waded in, stood out in the middle & yawned.

Field of Grass~

In places it was like riding through a Monet painting.  Just the wind blowing the tall grass~

Sunflowers~

We came to a couple places where finding the trail was a little sketchy.  At this point there was no signage & we followed a dirt track for a couple miles before I realized we were going away from the lake.

First Bridge~

We turned back, took the other way & found the first of the bridges.  I really had no idea just how big this lake was!  Farah started across the bridge, just one stop to check the piece of transition steel she made sure to step on :-) Being barefoot - she didn't get the usual ringing sound shoes make :-)

So Beautiful!

Once across we found this amazing trail through the big timber.  This All-Weather trail has a crushed limestone surface - very nice - horses are allowed throughout the year.

On the trail around the lake~

At least now I felt like we were on the right track.   The map I had was cut off at the top, so didn't show the trail to the north we'd need to get back to camp.

Mileage marker 7?

When we found this marker - I was sure we were on the trail around the lake.  I called Butch & told him that we'd probably be back in about an hour.  Boy was I wrong!

Another view of the lake~

This lake has so many fingers - around every turn was another incredible view.  Even with the stiff wind, the surface of the lake was amazingly smooth - just light windswept ripples.

My favorite view~

Another couple miles - we made a turn & ended up at the bridge we'd crossed to get here!  No way!  I had No idea how we'd done that & it certainly didn't show any loop trails on the map I had...  So - we crossed back the way we'd come & looked for another trail going the direction I thought we needed to go.  

A different Bridge!

By now it was almost 4 p.m., the clouds were moving in & we were down to three pieces of carrot & three grapes :-) I told Farah we'd both be getting pretty hungry if we didn't find our way back soon!  As luck would have it - my Garmin hadn't taken a full charge & the battery failed about half-way through our loop, so it was useless.   I had a feeling Farah's feet were getting tender from the crushed rock.  I'd been dismounting & walking a mile now & then to give her some relief. 

Final lake view~

We crossed the bridge & met a couple fishermen standing in water along the dike trying to get their boat engine started.  Neither had any idea where the north campground was.  We came to another intersection & road to another boat ramp.  Finally - there was another marker with the number 3!  I no longer trusted these markers - but gave Butch one more call & told him this time we were again going to be back in an hour!  Farah decided to take charge, (It was getting close to her dinner time, after all!) & moving over into the tall weeds along the side of the trail & hit her trot!  

Our Route from the North to the South Equestrian Camp~

Suddenly, I could see trailers through the trees!  It didn't look anything like the way we'd gone out - but once we came up the final hill - I realized we'd returned to the north Equestrian camp at the far end from where we'd left!  Yippee!  It was five p.m.! 

Farah got her bath & dinner.  We'd both had a blast!  It was just so wonderful to have miles & miles of trail to ride without running into a perimeter fence.  We covered over 22-miles & I didn't even get to all the trails I wanted to!

Sunday, we woke to a chill wind & light rain.  Butch had a trip to Des Moines on his schedule for early Monday - so we packed up & headed home.  It was a really enjoyable trip to a beautiful place!

Waubonsie Overview~

We enjoyed an excellent sermon at The Connection this morning.  Since the media has been hyping the beginning of the End Times, Pastor Ricky laughingly mentioned that he was very happy to see us :-)  The sermon was full of thoughtful, clear & informative quotes directly from the Bible.  After lunch at the Classic Café - we left from Malvern for one of our Sunday drives.

The Soy Bean fields have turned golden~

It was another in a string of very warm & very humid days.  Friends from Church have recently purchased land in the country & we decided to go that direction & see if we could find the area.  There's signage all along the Loess Hills that designates the Waubonsie Loop.  Part of a National Scenic Byway - it is definitely one of the most scenic areas we've found to date. 

Gaining elevation~

As we left the valley floor & climbed into the hills, the views were beautiful.  Butch has driven the school bus on many of the country roads by now & it amazes me how far out some of the children live.

Goldenrod~

We had a nice breeze, the winds have accompanied the unseasonably warm days - which at least makes them bearable.  Butch had passed the sign for the Overview.  We followed the rock road over hill & dale - still climbing & soon found the spot.

The Sign~

Flowers were planted around the sign, those flowers were covered with butterflies.  We parked along the edge of the road & unhooked the one strand of barbed wire that formed a makeshift gate.  It was just a short walk through the very tall grass to where the views opened up.

The way we'd come~

Just a few homes in the valley - it was easy to imagine how it looked when the Indians were living in these hills.

Stunning~

The gold, soon to be rust of the soy & corn fields just added scope to the beauty of the SW Iowa landscape.

Vast spaces~

This seemed a very special place.  What it's history is - I'd like to know.  In the summer, the teepee is covered with canvas,  in the winter, just the poles stand.

Teepee~

There was also a large feeder, filled with corn.  I'm sure the local squirrels & birds take full advantage of the buffet.  The only sound was of the wind in the trees...  I want to come back, see these views as the trees turn color & again in the Winter months under the white of snow~  

Pierce Creek - New Trail!

I was on the road early to meet-up with Jo from our BCH Chapter & Rick, the Ranger at Pierce Creek.  The plan was for Rick to show us the route of a new trail through the timber that has been at the top of Joyce's list for a while now.

Out across the great wide-open~

 Our BCH Chapter has offered to help cut in the trail & Jo - as liaison between BCH & Rick - had scheduled our exploratory hike for today.  We've broken records for heat & humidity this week, I covered myself with bug spray & Rick lead the way - looking for the yellow caution tape that he'd used in March to mark a probable route.

Rick leads the way~

 This may look easy - but believe me - it was pretty rugged going.  I had weeds, briars, gooseberry, etc.. up to my shoulders.  Every so often Rick would stop & ask Terry & I if we could spot the next ribbon?  Terry beat me to it almost every time!

Ribbon!

This one was one of the easier to spot - Rick said that as he'd marked - he made sure he could see from one ribbon to the next.  But given Iowa's climate & the amount of undergrowth - it was quite a task.

Pointing out the hunting blinds~

Along the south boundary of the timber - the adjoining private landowners have put hunting blinds - these woods have some nice sized deer as Farah & I have found out!

Low spot~

 We're working to avoid & go around the low spots.  I asked if they got wet in the Winter months & was told that it's usually spring.  I was thinking of the more moderate winters of Western, WA!

Deer trail~

In places we could just pick out the deer trail & will be following it where we can.  Once BCH goes in & weed whacks, cuts back etc., Terry will drive in the skid-steer with a huge brush hog on the front & widen things out.  Here - the goal is a ten-foot width - so the trails can be mowed down through the summer months.

Which is which?

 I enjoyed Ricks incredible knowledge of the plants & trees.  He pointed this tree out to me & asked if I knew what the vines were.  At first I only saw one, but soon realized that there were two.  The one on the left that looks almost like a part of the tree bark is Poison Ivy.  The other is Virginia Creeper.

Poison Ivy!

Rick informed me that there are at least 3 different varieties of Poison Ivy & that contrary to popular belief, it will burn you even in the Winter months when the leaves have fallen off the vine.

Attached to the tree bark~

The little roots in the photo above show you how tight it attaches to the trees.  I'm glad I wore gloves lasts year when I was pulling vines out of the Walnuts along our back yard - because now I'm sure it was Poison Ivy.  I'd always pictured it as the low-growing shrub variety - not these long tree attaching vines!  We hiked up where we could see the east fence line before going back onto the established trails to return to our trucks.

My shirt~

 We were all covered with burrs!  I had them in my hair, on my jeans & my t-shirt was more burr than cloth!  We had quite a laugh at ourselves :-)  I couldn't even put my arms down to my sides without getting poked on my drive back to Glenwood!  Butch was home for lunch when I walked in & I don't think he wanted me in the house!  I used some of Farah's Show Sheen to get them out of my hair!

Our hike~

Above is what my GPS recorded.  The top about 1/2 was existing, but the south side is where the new trail will go.  It will go further to the east & north - almost to the perimeter fence all the way around.  Since our hike was just under two-miles - it should add at least that to the existing trails.

pre-existing trails~

It's hard to tell from the two routes - but my next trip there I'm going to ride everything that's in the Timber now & overlay it onto the hike we took today.  I really enjoyed the morning - one of my favorite things is exploring new trail & it's been a long time!

Slip & Slide~

A super charged hot & very humid day with a blowing wind!  I called to see if the trails at Waubonsie were open after the rain we received over the weekend.  They were - I was thinking they hadn't received the rain we did.

On the Trail~

 Wrong assumption.  As we left, the trail was wet & when Farah stepped - she slid.  With the wind & the heat both - I thought for sure that the trails would improve as we went on - but they didn't.

Further along~

 I didn't put Farah's bug bonnet on - it was just So hot & I counted on the wind to keep the bugs at bay.  Wrong there too - they still tried & Farah was shaking her head to keep them off.

Farah's barefoot print in the mud~

 The soils here are so different!  You'd think that such a sandy based loam wouldn't be too slippery - but again - that's wrong.  Since each step was a slide, I looked down to see what was going on.

Front hoof~

The mud had packed into the bottom of her feet, it was like she was walking on ice.  We're overdue for a trim too.  I had her front feet x-rayed at the Vet in Sidney a few weeks ago.  She had started to forge again & I wanted to see the angle of her coffin bones.  Her joints were nice & clean - but the front angles need to be lowered & rear toes shortened.  

Rear hoof with the mud sticking~

 I don't think shoes would have made any difference at all in the mud.  We'd only gone about a mile, one easy step at a time - when we came to the first down hill grade.  Farah hesitated at the top, I had to encourage her to start down & knew right then I shouldn't have.

Our slide~

 When we slid, I realized even if we made it to the bottom, getting back up would be the trick.  I'd heard stories of a rider who'd gone down & found it impossible to get back up.   We turned back right there & Farah took the edge of the trail to try to gain enough purchase to climb back up.  It was a relief to reach the top.

Sign of Fall~

 We stayed on the short flat section of the trail & stopped at the 1-mile rest area.  The bright yellow leaves from the Walnut trees were flying through the air & littered the trail.  The wind was relentless & I watched as the large trees were battered back & forth.

It was beautiful~

 It's always beautiful - & we're both always so happy to be out on the trails - but it was obvious this was not going to be the day.

Farah loving the tall grasses~

 The wet spot-on Farah's neck is fly spray.  I think Iowa probably keeps at least a few repellant companies in business...  Back at the trailer - I gave her a bath.  The wind had her dry almost faster than I could get her rinsed.

Grazing time~

 She had her usual good roll & I covered her with fresh fly spray.  I felt a little cheated our ride had been so short.  I sat out & enjoyed the afternoon for quite a while.  The wind at least made the heat bearable.  Our laundry dried quick - a fly mask & leggings.  I finally loaded us up for the road trip back to the farm.  Two new Gypsy Vanner horses arrived today, I only got a glimpse of one, they'll be stabled on the far side of the barn from Farah's stall & run.

The remainder of this week's forecast is for temperatures above 90!  Sat. we've scheduled that overdue trim.  Next week temperatures are dropping back into the 70's - but with a rain chance too - about every day :-(  At least now I've learned- riding wet trails here is impossible...