We'd been having the most beautiful sunshine days, except for the wind, which I'm told is pretty much normal for fall. But within just the last few days, the temperature's have dropped & we experienced three hard freezes. Oh joy! Killing off the last of the bugs! Farah was happy to finally be rid of her fly mask.
Sunday, after church & lunch we worked all afternoon at home. Butch mowed & edged, while I emptied pots & transplanted.
Mr. Squirrel with his Fall attire~
This morning - the winds of yesterday were gone! I'd be riding, but our high is only supposed to be in the mid-30's with a possibility of snow showers. I'm just not as in to riding in the cold as I once was. Tomorrow the weather man is promising 50 - hopefully that will make a nice riding day.
Nika on her morning round of the yard~
It seems that time moves faster for me with each passing year. Last year we were empting out the final storage full of furniture & spent our first night in our own bed - rather than in the camper. We'd had a busy couple of weeks waiting for the flooring installation to be finished & working on the house remodel.
Bottom corner~
This is my favorite area of the yard. Yesterday even in the cold & wind, Nika & I went exploring along the creek. The freeze has wilted the tall weeds, so even though we did some brush whacking, we made our way quite a distance. The air smelled so fresh & full of the scents of fall!
Nika in the NW corner~
I went ahead & planted the Dusty Miller that had been in buckets all summer, into the ground. We'll see how long they can hold up. My most of my red germanium's made it through their first Summer here in good shape. They were in the ground longer than they had ever been in WA. I had to cover them twice, when there was a chance of a freeze & I was worried that I was stretching the limits of the weather!
Last of the blooms~
All the bigger plants are now in pots & on shelving in the craft room with lights. I had more than I had room for, so I took cuttings that will soon be in pots. Still nice to be able to enjoy the last of the blooms. I've so many projects stacked up for the cold Winter months that I doubt I'll run out any time soon!
A break in the week of high winds! The forecast was correct & the day was a beauty. Not that the early part of this week hasn't been... Except for the wearing winds that ripped the rest of the beautiful leaves from our Walnut. Weather the rest of the week is supposed to deteriorate with even a slight possibility of snow on Fri.
Our shadow~
I thought about going up & riding on the Wabash Trace Trail out of Council Bluffs, a much shorter drive, but the end that Equestrians are allowed on is fraught with road crossings, the noise of traffic etc. I do still plan to get there again & re-visit the four-miles we can access heading south toward Minneola.
Waubonsie was the place, I was amazed at how many leaves were down in just the few days since we'd been here. Raylan, the Park Ranger came by as I was heading out onto the trails. I had to thank him for the great trail work that's been done.
Along the dry creek bed~
Once we were on the trails - it was great to see both big windfalls had been removed. A lot of the trail had been bulldozed again & there were piles of dirt in many places. It was hard to make time, but we moved much faster today. Farah has reached a new level of maturity this year. Whether the move, or just that she's finally reached a reasonable age - she's been amazing! Always so forward, always willing.
More tree trunks & limbs visible~
As you can tell, the structure of the trees is again showing itself with so many of the leaves now blown off. No more cold than we've had - it still seems to me - we've had some wonderful color.
One of the steep hills~
It's so hard to capture the short steep hills here - but I think the photo above finally gives you an idea. It's not that there's just a couple, the entire trail system is basically one hill after another.
Yellows of young Paw Paw trees~
There is one nice long section that's flat & we fly along that. Today, we spooked a big doe who ran along side us for a second before jumping into the trees!
A colorful down~
We're taking a different route lately, doing one loop, off onto the second, then our break & reversing the second. We save Tall Trees for toward the end of the ride & since it's low & protected - there's not much color there yet.
A Happy Face!
Returning to the trail-head, we were attacked by swarms of Asian Beetles! The air was so full of them it seemed hard to breathe! I was so thankful I still had Farah's fly sheet in the trailer! I hosed her down, hosing off beetles the entire time & got the sheet on her. We were both about ready to go nuts - by the time I had everything thrown back in the trailer. Farah literally jumped in. We couldn't get Out of there fast enough! I pity the people who planned to camp this weekend!
At the stable I was asked to keep Farah out all day - so that her run could be scraped. No problem at all, since my plan was to see the fall colors at Waubonsie. Dazzling sunshine - a strong wind - at 20 to 30 mph. with 40 mph. gusts. Since rain is forecast for tomorrow, today was the day to get out!
Quiet when we arrived, just as I had bridled Farah, a group of four riders returned to the trail-head. I had my camera off the saddle & caught the image below. As the years have gone by & I've watched the gold girl mature, I keep thinking that she can't be more beautiful. I'm biased - yes - but with good cause.
Farah~
Stately & aristocratic - with so much presence - truly a one-of-a-kind mare. She's adjusted well to life here in Iowa - the bugs, heat, cold etc. Certainly a more extreme climate than the one she was used to. The wind doesn't even bother her - in the spring & fall we get plenty - she hardly twitches an ear.
To the trails!
I couldn't believe how colorful things were once we were into the timber! The golds, rusts, oranges, all on a backdrop of the trees that still held onto green leaves.
Down the Trail~
I let her go at her own pace - the footing was perfect & having her barefoot is so nice. The trails were littered with the colorful fallen leaves. It had been a while since we'd done all the hill work, but Farah attacked them in her usual style & tossed in a buck just to keep me on my toes.
Top Trail~
We'd just rounded the corner when two hen turkeys came out of the brush & started up the trail in front of us. I slowed down & a second or so later a big tom took flight right over our heads!
Far Views~
Now, the views are opening up & you get more of the feeling of being up on the higher ridges of the park. Not really territorial - but pretty none the less.
Trails edge~
The day went from sunshine, to partly cloudy later in the afternoon. The filtered light turning the colors of the leaves almost a neon against the gray backdrop.
Ms. Farah~
We made as many miles as we could, doing each loop twice in both directions & the pretty section that I call Tall Trees to finish up the ride. It was warm, probably upper 70's. Farah worked up a decent sweat with her newly thickened coat.
A typical yawn~
She asked to stop once & spent a few minutes yawning - something she's done forever. Back at the trail-head there was only one other rig parked at the far side. Since the Asian Beetles have hatched out this week & they'd been thick here last year - I was surprised that they weren't bad today. Farah got a bath & she was dry almost faster than I could get her wet!
Farah & Nika~
I made the drive home & turned her out in the yard. Nika actually laid down nearby for the first time! Usually she moves further away. Back at the stable, the run had not been scraped - with rain tonight - I can only hope it will get done next week. Another gorgeous ride, I'm hoping to go to Indian Caves before all the color is gone.
Today - marked exactly one-year since we arrived in Iowa! I couldn't think of a prettier place to spend it - than Pierce Creek. It was another of a string of perfect Indian Summer days... But with the brisk mornings & shorter days, I know that change is just around the corner.
Through the obstacle~
Since our ride out from the stable a week ago & with the rain on Sat., I felt lucky that the trails had dried enough. We had the place to ourselves, just the wind & the sound of birds.
Dike~
I wanted to do all the trails, especially in the Timber, to see if I could find the place where we hope to start work on the new trail the first weekend of November.
Out on the east hill trails - the colors of the day were so striking & strong! I love the light of Fall, it has always seemed thinner somehow - more fine, more ethereal & more fleeting.
Into the Timber~
We were well on our way into the Timber when Farah stopped & grabbed what looked like an apple off the ground!
Cracked open~
She instantly spit it out & I dismounted to see just what it was?
Inside~
It was dripping a milk like substance in seconds & was very segmented. I asked & have since found out that it's a Hedge Apple. I'm told that they sell for up to $5. at the farmers markets both for decoration & as an insect & rodent deterrent!
Gorgeous Trails~
There's something almost magical about the Timber Trails - the rustle of the branches in the breeze, the smell of the leaves, the dull thud of Farah's hooves on the soft soil. So quiet here - I wish we could ride on into forever.
Farah~
No deer today, just a huge hawk that had followed us from section to section. Every time a gust of wind came up, leaves would fall through the air like huge raindrops.
Fall Golds~
We did find a couple of the trail markers that Randy had put in. Since we have yet to experience a freeze, let alone a hard freeze, the underbrush is still almost shoulder high. I'm hoping we get one before our scheduled work day.
Around the east side of the lake~
Most of the bright red leaves had blown off the Sumac along the lake shore.
Near the NE corner~
We rode on up to the NE corner. The home under construction there is just amazing. Round stone covered turrets at three of the corners. Several construction personnel working, all friendly on such a perfect day.
West side of the lake~
We again crossed the dike & took the trail along the west side of the lake, then up to the northern trails there.
The video finally uploaded. Here she's bipping & bopping along at 4.7 to over 5 mph.
Crossing back south~
We covered ten-miles, looping back a couple times & had a great run up the north boundary fence. It was so much fun that we did it twice!
So many changes in just those last twelve-months. Instead of riding from 1,000 to 1,500 miles a year, I'm down to scraping for the 300 we have to date. It seems a waste of a fine, fine horse to have her stand so much. She's such a good friend & partner - it's hard to see her under-ridden after all our years together. Now, we're just a short way from the cold of the Winter months - we'll be spending some days in the arena - we're lucky to have that!
When we got home, I unloaded Farah & two of our neighbors came over. Lisa with her handsome nine-month old Grandson, who's eyes were as big as saucers when he saw Farah. Butch arrived, we took Farah back to the stable & enjoyed a quiet dinner at Toby Jacks.
I found something I wanted - Farah would look stunning pulling it! With a price tag of $1,100 - considering the wonderful condition, I hope it finds a good home.
All original horse drawn sled~
It was mid-afternoon by the time we finished in town & decided to drive north to Big Spirit Lake. Pulling into the first park we found, the fall colors of the trees were so beautiful against the fog.
Cottonwoods line the shore~
The park itself wasn't large, but had plenty of access to the waterfront.
As one of what's known at the Iowa Great Lakes, the northern shore borders Minnesota. This area is full of history, a massacre in 1857 is the most notorious.
Afternoon view~
There was a walkway around a portion of the lake & we took it. A beautiful staircase cut from the hillside took us to a long dock at the bottom.
Nika on the stairs~
I walked out to the end of the dock, looking back at the brilliant fall colors on shore.
Nika & Butch~
It was a perfect day to be in such a beautiful place.
Fog & water blend together~
I took lots of photos - the colors stood out against the slate gray fog.
Lake edge~
Our truck waits!
Trees in full color!
We drove on north, to the uppermost portion of the lake. We crossed the Minnesota state line, just to say we'd been there! Then drove on to Mini-Wakan State Park. What a beautiful park! The camping spots were as private as any we've seen here, many will full hookups. There was also an asphalt bike trail, we've put on our ride list.
It was late by the time we returned to our room in Okoboji. Neither of us were looking forward to another noisy night... Lesson learned.
The following morning dawned bright & sunny again. We were anxious to be gone from the room & on the road for home. Heading south, we stopped in Spencer Iowa & admired the stunning Clay County Courthouse, built in 1900.
Spencer, IA
We continued south on Hwy 59 through Harlan. Butch had been there with the big yellow bus for games, but it was my first visit. Such a beautiful town, with a movie theater still open!
It was a warm day by the time we were home - the weekend was one we'll remember.
We started out early. Both of us excited to be taking a little three-day vacation for our Anniversary! My Aunt & Uncle had mentioned Lake Okoboji to us several times, as their favorite place to visit.
Leaving home, it was cloudy & starting to rain. Going north - there were huge thunderstorms sweeping the landscape. It was just under 200-miles & a four hour drive. As we entered Sac County, it seemed like every barn was decorated with a beautiful barn quilt! When we stopped for a short break, the building below caught our attention. The gray weathered wood a striking contract to the bright colors of the quilt blocks.
Quilt Blocks
What a beautiful display of some interesting patterns.
Across from the gas station was the sign below!
Beautiful sign!
We pulled into town & found our hotel, the Oakwood Inn. Very cute three-story with nice landscaping, but too many issues for us to ever stay there again. We did bring Nika & paid for a "pet" room. Opening the door, the odor told us all we needed to know. It looked great on-line, but next time we'll look further.
Butch & Nika on the back patio~
View from the patio, of a pretty pond area.
Nice Views~
We walked the property. Leaving Nika in her kennel, we went to town to check it out.
From the Gazebo toward the main building!
The Boat Rental sign on the west side of West Lake Okoboji caught our eye! Walking inside, Butch negotiated a price for a speed boat. Out at the dock, he was given a short course in the operation of the boat. So much fun! It had been years since either of us had been out on the water.
Leaving the dock~
Butch captained the boat easily. Since I do get motion sick, he kept us moving right along! This lake was carved by a glacier & is over 134' deep.
Butch~
We decided to go all the way around the lake & site see. The waterfront homes were each different & some totally amazing. We both liked the older original homes, perfectly maintained with mature landscape.
Lakefront home~
There were buoys' marking the shallow water along the lakes edge. It's a huge lake, with what looked like several small inlets.
Making a wake~
Our navigation of the lake complete, we turned toward the dock. The lake had been pretty choppy, making for a fun, if cold trip!
Barge with crane~
Slowing down, Butch maneuvered us back to the boats spot.
Returning~
By now, we were both starved. Leaving the boat rental, just a short distance on the far side of the street & on the same side of the lake, was the Okoboji Store . On the water, we managed a table in the corner with a great view. The menu was great & food outstanding.
A beautiful evening~
We sat for a while watching the sunset before leaving to walk around outside. Such a perfect evening. The colors of the sunset soft & muted. Perfect end to a fun day!
