Glen Cunningham Lake - Revisited!

I'd been wanting someone to show me the way around this lake since my attempt in early July.  That time I'd turned back when I'd seen signage saying no horses were allowed in the campgrounds.  The trail we were on had dropped us there & I didn't continue on.

Farah getting some greens!

Today, Margie was nice enough to act as our trail guide & I was really looking forward to the day.  The weather was cool & overcast when we started out, but perfect for riding.  The forecast called for a high of 70!

The lake from the hillside~

 We left on the same trail that Farah & I had used.  I was interested in seeing where we'd gone astray.

Amazing home~

This home looks like it could be in the mountains of Colorado.  With the view of the lake, I'm sure it's stunning inside.

Margie & Coco saying;  "We go this way!"

At the campground where I'd turned back, Margie showed me where the trail continues along the edge.  The day I was here, a tent was set up near the fence & the trail hadn't been mowed.

In the "Magic Woods"~

Margie told me to get my camera ready & Wow!  As I told her, it was like riding in what I used to call the "Deep Dark Woods" at Victoria in WA.  A beautiful area, almost making me homesick for our old trails.

With most of the leaves down ~

 Here we are nearing the end of November & as the day went on - the temperatures climbed.  Coco set a nice moving pace of 3.6.  Both mares were sweating with their winter coats.

A tentative new friendship :-)

Our mares were friendly toward each other, which made it nice for us.  Farah brought up the rear & though it's never her favorite thing - she handled it better with a faster pace.

Stunning views~

We stopped at this high point.  Just an amazing view of a large open space surrounded by urban development.  Maybe similar to Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA.  At least in the days before it became more commercial.

At the dike~

By now, I recognized we were on the far side of the lake.  We'd parked on the far side.  All the trails were pleasant.  Margie asked if I was ok with bridges?  I replied in the affirmative.  Well...  Let that be a lesson to me - Farah refused this one.  The transition concrete block going on was different than any she's seen.  When she did decide to go, the sound was much different from the wood plank or lightweight concrete she's used to.  I didn't want to end up in the creek below, there's no photo :-)

Our rigs on the far side~

A huge lake, it was fun to look across & see our trucks.  Not so fun to cross a busy highway not once, but twice to get back to the trailers.  There are four additional miles of trail on the far side.  Somewhere else to check out.

Back at the parking area, we brushed the mares, then sat out for a while.  Nice to enjoy the warm sunshine, before the drive home.

Visit To Greenfield~

 We were a little late making a fall visit to Greenfield the last of October to decorate my parents & grandparents graves.  Now, I wanted to go back & decorate again for Christmas & the winter months.  The trip is only 100-miles each way, so we can easily do it in a day.

Heading east on H-34, the usual no traffic :-)

I don't think either of us has yet adjusted to the lack of traffic here, nor the ease of getting to anywhere we want to go.  Such a change & so laid-back & wonderful to be able to enjoy a weekend drive again.

Wind turbine in the background~

 The first time I'd returned to my home state after a long absence, I was so surprised to see all the wind turbine's around the Greenfield area.  Many existing farms sport several in their fields.  Other areas have fields full of them - devoted to the large - white beasts.

 Once we were in Greenfield, I had to get a photo of the water tower, there's Facebook page devoted to Iowa photographers & it was mentioned there that it would be fun to get photos of them all.  I'm doing my part :-)

Rural Church~

After leaving Greenfield, we head south, past Orient & where my Grandparents farm was.  Just a short distance from it - is the cemetery where my maternal Grandparents & Great Grandparents are buried.  Grandma used to take me out there every summer to pull weeds & tidy up the family plot.  As we worked pulling weeds & cutting back the peonies', I could almost feel her presence.

The door~

 I've taken photos of this old church almost every time I've visited this area.  I'm going to look up one of those pictures to see how time has taken it's toll.  I do know that someone used to keep it painted, but no more.

Craftsmanship~

 The craftsmanship on this little building is just amazing - like nothing we'll ever see again I'm sure.  To watch it going to ruin is so sad...

Hinge

 If these doors could talk, I wonder what stories they would tell?  Weddings, funerals, Sunday services.  Gatherings now long lost under the dust of time.

Boot scraper~

The boot scraper had to have been used regularly - it shows wear in the middle.  The church & small piece of land it sits on is for sale & has been for some time.  I would love to buy it & be able to fix it all up as it once was, maybe turn it into a small home.  It's quite a way from about anyplace, so not practical for anyone, other than someone who wants to live out & away.

We arrived back home just as the sun was setting on another amazing day of temperatures in the 60's - in November!  If not for the shortened hours of sunlight, it would be easy to think it was still early summer!

Late November - Pierce Creek~

Thanksgiving week!  Already!  Where did the year go?  I was determined to get in a ride at Pierce Creek & see if the new trail our BCH Chapter worked on, was ride-able.  The weather called for mid-50's with the rest of the week substantially cooler - so today would be the day.

At the SW Corner~

The wind was whipping all the way south & relentless as I was saddling up.  Farah was higher than a kite on a string.  It took all my persuasion to convince her forward - was what we were going to do.

Going SE across the dike~

The sun was shining, it was a totally glorious late November day.  November has now become my favorite month of the year - at least this November has been amazing.  I rode up over the middle east hillside of mowed trails & had turned along the east fence line when suddenly Farah 180'ed & bolted.  I had to work - to keep from being catapulted off the back of the saddle in what would have been a very nasty fall.  I her pulled up within 100 ft. or so & my new stick got a workout!  When I turned to see what had caused this reaction, a huge buck & two does were leaping across the newly harvested corn field.

Looking back , wind whipping the water's surface~

At the bottom, I turned her back up the middle at a controlled gallop!  She'd broken a good sweat & decided paying attention to me might be the thing to do.   We headed for the Timber & soon easily found the entrance of our newly cut-in trail.  I was surprised it was so easy to spot.  The battered yellow ribbons we'd re-hung were still there.  I want to add survey tape before Terry comes through to widen the trail.

On the new Trail~

Farah had no problem finding her way.  It was so much fun to ride, our layout couldn't have been any nicer.  Meandering through the woods & staying to high ground, the half-mile seems much longer.

Along the NE edge of the park~

By now, clouds were moving in across the hazy blue sky.  We could see through to the fields to the east.  We came to the spot where we'd stopped clearing & forged our way through.  I turned Farah back, more than ready for our lunch break.

At lunch~

The day had gotten so dark it was almost like late evening.  I started hearing what sounded like a T-Rex in terrible pain!  The noise was incredible & I actually thought something was coming our way.

Erie filtered sunlight~

 When we arrived back at the lake, I could just make out a van on the far side.  The noise was coming from the trails on the west side of the lake, where we were heading.

Van on the far side~

We climbed up to the SE corner & it was just so beautiful!  Now that the crops are almost down, the wind has a raw feel & the temperature had dropped several degrees.

From the top~

All the colors are more subdued - just the browns of the grasses & blue/gray of the sky.

Back across the dike~

On the far side, I started along the lake front, but the noise from whatever, seemed right above us!  Farah kept stopping to look - trying to see through the brush.  Puffed up to twice her normal size - I decided to dismount.  I led her to nearest trail that would take us to the north side of the road leading to the dock. 

Just 100ft. in, a skid-steer with a huge brush hog on the front had just stopped.  The operator was out & was talking with another man on a tractor.  I recognized Terry.  I managed to yell loud enough he heard me & came over smiling.  I mentioned - that I was sure - he wanted me to go swimming on this day!  He shut off the equipment so we could talk.  Farah deflated a little, putting her nose on the skid steer to see if it was alive or not :-)

Away from Terry!

Terry was surprised I was alone.  I was surprised he wasn't working on our new trail!  I mentioned I'd just ridden it & how nice it was going to be.  He was finished with harvesting - so I'm hopeful the work will get done sooner than the projected date in January.

On our way back~

Farah finally got her chance for a good gallop, but since we'd spooked up no less than four different groups of deer, I kept her as controlled as possible.  The noise had pretty much ruined one of the things I enjoy so much about this park...  the quiet...  Too bad it couldn't have been done on one of the days the shooting range is open.

The Bronco waits~

Farah had been her own worst enemy today.  She stood tied, with a hind leg cocked while & brushed her down.  I enjoy this park so much.  What a feeling of freedom, to be out miles from anywhere & surrounded by wide-open space.  Our Mills County Trails meeting was tonight, so we had to start back.  My husband spent his weekend putting new shocks on the Bronco & they are wonderful!  It was like driving a new rig, even in the strong side wind!  The sun was just setting by the time we arrived back at Farah's stable.  Another great late fall ride~

In The Sun~

Crossing the Long Bridge~

Our weather presented us with an unusual two days of gray - yesterday being a day so reminiscent of western Washington - I mentioned it to several friends.  The weather report did not disappoint though & today was a dazzler.  When I went to pick Farah up, the hill in her run was so slippery we both about fell.

Farah's favorite place along the trail~

If Waubonsie had been my only choice, I'm sure the trails there would have either been closed, or too slick to ride.  Wednesday's are the day the gun range at Pierce Creek is open, no fun going there.  Again, I was thankful we've discovered the Wabash.  Less than half the drive for double the saddle time, works for us.

Interesting~

I'll be sending in my check so I can attach a trail pass to my saddle...  I have to wonder if the mountain bike riders who are also allowed to use the horse trail have to do the same?  Are these fees in addition to the $1. per day or $12. for the annual pass posted on the sign at the trail-head? 

Through the invasive Honeysuckle bushes~

Even if it's Honeysuckle, it reminds me just a little of our old Washington trails where the Salmonberry grew thick & green along side.  The Honeysuckle seems to withstand the freezing nighttime temperatures better than most of the other shrubs.

Last of the Oak leaves in the Timber~

We have about two-miles of traffic noise to get to the 3+ miles of relative quiet.  Our favorite section is through the Timber.  One of my bucket list goals is to visit the some of the remaining stands of Timber in the Midwest. 

About the last mile to Margaretville is actually- almost - just - the pure sound of the countryside.  Quiet, even here - is something difficult to come by.  Having said that, we still enjoy a level of quiet I hadn't appreciated enough our first years on the Homestead.

That it is!

No one was around when we arrived for our lunch break.  I'd let Farah graze several times on the way down.  At most road crossings there's tall green grass & of course we spend time both on our way south & back north at the grassy field.

My good mare at the hitching post~

I walked back a way to check out the trail, too heavily overgrown to go any further, but Butch & I did some exploring last Sunday.  Butch is the one who said;  "If there's a hitching post here, then horses must have been able to access the trail further south."

Farah on-high~

We both have always loved high spots.  Here, high spots are at a premium.  Who can complain about territorial views like these?

Us~

The variety of the leaves on the ground only reinforce the variety of the trees in the Timber.  The oak, maple & others I've yet to recognize.  The sun is on our right side on our way out & at the end of the afternoon, on our left coming back.  Someone tossed in a couple good bucks today!  The wind was pretty fierce when we were returning.  An occasional hard gust put us both a little on edge.  Hearing the trees groan & creak is interesting too :-)

On the final leg~

Butch has promised me new shocks on the Bronco.  That will make a drive southeast to Pierce Creek much more pleasant.  I have to hope the weather holds for more riding, as the sun sets a little earlier each day.  Both daylight & temperatures in the low 50's will come at a premium, soon I'm sure!

It's a Mystery ~

The allure of a trail to ride that's a shorter drive, again took Farah & I to the Wabash Trace.   Scheduled to be the warmest day of the week, even after a night in the 20's.  The sunshine was dazzling & I was thankful to be out on the trail!

Pretty ugly horse on this sign :-)

 Farah was relaxed & took all the sights, sounds & noise in stride as we headed SE from the trail-head.  As beautiful as it is - it's hard not to appreciate one of the very few places where we can get in some nice distance.

On the trail~

 Riding along out here, reminded me so much of the many lineal trail rides that Lynn & I used to do.  It almost looked like the SVT in many places.

Mainline of the trail~

In many ways, being as urban as it is - it's similar to a lineal obstacle course.  The first major tunnel is the one with the very low ceiling that takes us under Overland Trail Road.  I'd actually ridden through this the first time we were on the trail, but now I'm more sensible & dismount to walk through.

Farah say's it's tight in here!

 It's actually a way through to the far end.  Far enough that it gets a little dark in the middle.  The echo of the traffic whizzing by over head makes it a bit spooky too.

Inside!

 Always relieved when we're through - I let Farah grab some mouthful's of grass before we continue on.  This section along Wabash Ave. is wide & grassy, but noisy from the traffic on the side.

Limestone on the right, road on the left~

Super nice footing, we can actually move out at the trot.  Soon we cross Berryhill Ave. & end up on a section back in the trees.  Farah stopped & started stomping her left front foot.  Since she's never done this - I dismounted to find the lower part of her leg covered with the same burrs that have covered my clothing when I've cleared trail!

The burrs!

I used my gloves to get them off her leg.  Just a foot from where we'd stopped, was the weed covered with the burrs.  Now, at least I know what they look like once they've been frosted.  The leaves were wilted, so identifying them in the spring will be difficult.  You can just see the dark circles of burrs in the photo above.

Tree across the trail, we ended up getting through on the left~

We were making really good time, when we came up on a tree top that had cracked off & totally blocked the trail.  I pulled my folding saw out of the saddle bag & hoped I could cut through the last of the bark holding the broken section to the trunk.  My thought was to drop it to the ground.  I found out why hardwood is the descriptive term for so many of the trees.  The saw cut maybe 2" into the wood before binding up.  No way was I going to get it cut.

Taken from the other direction -barbed wire fence on the right, along the road.

Instead, I started hacking through the honeysuckle, cat-brier & downed branches to make enough of a path for Farah.  With the barbed wire so close, she just made it past.  We crossed Bluebird lane, then rode the limestone for maybe 50 ft. before finding the next opening for the horse trail.

Limestone surface~

The surface almost looks like concrete, covered with a fine dust.  It's certainly as hard a concrete - it's been weeks since we've had any measurable rainfall.  Again - absolutely no reason that horses couldn't use this surface without the slightest bit of damage.

Trail Rules~

Just shy of Margaritaville, there's a nice section of grass along the barbed wire fence.  I'd been cold for a while & it looked like a good enough spot to take our break.  I dismounted & took my jacket off the back of the saddle while Farah grazed.  I walked the last little way into Margaritaville & as I did - realized I'd forgotten my stick.  No big deal, I'd just get it on our way back.   I sat in the sun & fed Farah her carrots.  We started back & when we reached the spot where I thought I'd left my stick.  I couldn't' find it...   Anywhere!  No Way!  It wasn't that big of an area & it couldn't have disappeared.  After searching for a quite a while, I convinced myself I'd probably left it back where the tree had fallen.  

On our way back north~

As we left, I realized there was No way I would have ridden that far, without knowing my stick was gone.  My right hand felt totally useless - with nothing to hold.  I turned back, searched again - still without any luck.  So darn mad - a mystery for sure!  I plan to get back out there & search again until I find it.  I've had it since at least 06, when Dean took on my re-education as a rider.  It's been with me one heck of a lot of miles to lose it now!

Farah watches a bike pass~

Twice, bikes came whizzing by from behind us.  Neither rider announcing their presence.  In the photo above, we watched them & they didn't see us.  Farah's color really blends in to the woods.  Our last ride, Farah spooked at the Coyote below.  He's nasty looking thing, concrete I think - with his nose partly broken.

The Coyote~

As we'd come up on him, she blew herself up & did a 180, on a tight section of the trail.  Today, I knew it was coming & told her that he hadn't moved an inch & I doubted that he'd attack :-)

Mr. Coyote - from the trail~

Farah still stopped to stare him down, but after just a low huff, walked right by. Too soon, we were coming back to the trail-head.  It was just after four p.m. & the sun was already low in the sky.  The time change has definitely shortened our afternoons! 

At the truck~

As I unsaddled & brushed Farah, a bike rider walked up & asked if he could take our photo.  I agreed & wonder where it will end up.  He asked how old she was & when I said eleven, he replied;  "Don't horses live to about fifteen?"  Of course he was surprised when I told him many can live twice that long.  We covered almost 14-miles, since I'd turned back to look for my stick.

Once home, I downloaded my photos & discovered the camera had put them into two folders.  The numbering on the camera had hit photo number 9,999 & reset itself back to 1!  I can't help but appreciate these amazing fall days, even knowing sooner or later, winter will come...