To Mineola!

This ride had been a goal since earlier in the spring. Butch & I had driven around the area of the farm to see if we could find any other Grade B roads.  We not only found one, but also found where it met up with the Wabash Trace.  My idea was born - to ride from the farm to Mineola.  Of course I'd had grand plans to ride miles & miles of this trail - before I found out it was exclusive to bikes...

Past that pesky herd of cattle~

I'd had an appointment with the retinal specialist in the morning. My eyes were so dilated I could hardly see a thing, so we had lunch at the Gathering Place on our way home. There had been a light rain in the morning as we were driving into Omaha.  After lunch, it was still relatively cool & the rain had stopped.  I hurried to the farm & saddled Farah.  I had the horse trailer still hitched, so the plan was...  If I wasn't back to the farm by the time Butch was off work, he'd come out & take the Bronco to find & pick us up!

Corn turning golden~

I sprayed us both down with all the bug spray I could.  Now, it's the mosquito's...  Twenty-two cases of humans with WNV this season & 14 hospitalized.  I'm thankful Farah has had the vaccine for many years now.  There was a light breeze, but the road had been freshly rocked.

"Ditch Weed" :-)

The photo above is for my WA & CO friends :-)  Yes, wild ditch weed does grow in the ditches, but I doubt it would bring the big bucks the legal growers get!  We made good time all the way to the two silo's - the furthest north we'd gone.

Almost to the Grade B Road~

As we passed Jean's house, Farah wanted to stop, but they weren't home.  We did take a short grazing break at the silo's.  Next, a right turn onto Cary road.  I'd forgotten it was still gravel for a way.

From gravel to dirt~

We were going forward, east, down the steep hill & onto the dirt.  Sweet relief!   Again, no way could or would I road ride without shoes.  Even with steel, I kept our pace to Farah's nice little 4.5 mph walk.

On the dirt~

I was surprised at how washed out & rutted the road had become since Butch had driven the truck on it.  Some of the washouts were close to a foot deep.  It was so beautiful out here though.  Quiet & just the occasional buzz of a fly.

To the Wabash!

It was just under five-miles to the Wabash.  Farah recognized it & set a pace like she thought we were going all the way to Council Bluffs.  I wish we had been.

Looking back the way we'd come~

Since the sun had definitely won out over the cloud cover, the heat & humidity had shot up.  It was great to be in the shade of the trees.  I often think of how beautiful this state & all the US was back in the day, before it went under the plow or loggers axe.

Cooler & beautiful on the trail~

Linus had mentioned there was at least once bridge & we soon came to it.  It looked sturdy & Farah was happy to cross.  It seemed to have a slight tilt to it, but I think it was more the way I see things now.

Soon, we were at the Barrus Road crossing.  No traffic, so we hustled across to the far side.

Crossing Barrus Road~

Now, it reminded me of sections of the Centennial Trail, where the trail parallels a road.  There were a few cars, but nothing like the traffic we used to see in WA.

Mineola sign - between the ears~

It was fun to line up the town sign between Farah's ears as she checked out a dog on the far side.  I had just stopped her as we'd crossed a second bridge to take a photo, when we were buzzed by a group of at least five bike riders!  I'd felt Farah tighten up & in the next second they were flying by just off my left stirrup!  Rude...  Farah reacted even faster than I had.  She snaked her neck to the left & barred her teeth in a direct threat at the last rider to pass!  He looked shocked as he took evasive action & actually apologized!

We arrive at Tobey Jacks!

I called Kathy to let her know the her crazy customer with the horse was in town & going to come by for a photo. :-)  She & Wayne met us out front.  Wayne with a nice fresh apple & Kathy went to the kitchen for peeled carrots!  Farah politely took turns taking a bites of each :-)

Thrown in the Hoosegow?

Kathy had a pretty good idea of how we'd gotten there.  She's involved with the Iowa Heritage Foundation - local trail organization.  I think we were lucky we weren't thrown in the Hoosegow!  Lets face it, Farah would have hardly fit!  We didn't leave so much as a mark on the trail surface.

Looking West~

We trotted up the big hill past the Lutheran Church, on Main street, before turning south on 8th.  A couple sitting on their front porch waved as we went by.  Coming up on the last hill before Jean's house, Farah dropped her head, took the bit & broke into a huge gallop all the way to Jean's driveway!  There was no way she wasn't going to stop to see her friends!

Farah's friends, Jean & Don!

Farah is totally enamored of Don!  She gives him kisses & acts like he is the top man in her life!  I have no idea how Don has managed this friendship - but he could certainly have another career as a horse whisperer!   While we were talking, Butch pulled up in his truck?  Still waiting for his new hearing aids, he had misunderstood the plan.  He went back for the Bronco, but by that time we were almost to the farm.

Almost back to the farm!

He'd flown past us on the last leg, heading for a turn-around spot & Farah was furious as she watched her trailer go by!  The expression on her face was priceless.  Something like;  "How could he have possibly missed seeing us?!"

Our Route

When he came along side, I told him to just go on, we only had a mile to go & were at that stage where the tough get going!  Whether it's twelve rock hard road miles, or the fifty of a race, those last miles are priceless.  It's where you know you are a team & you have accomplished a great goal.

A bath before the mosquito's came out, more spray, dinner & Farah was bedded for the night.