West Oak Forest ~

We'd driven by the sign that leads to the West Oak Forest parking area many times.  Butch took the day off & I wanted to get out & go for a hike!  There's something about the last days of one year & the beginning of the next...  I get antsy for open space & fresh air.

Butch & Nika~

The weather man gave us one more day of sunshine, with temperatures in the 40's. It's been dry, but rain is coming in tonight & supposed to last through the day tomorrow.

The first climb~

With the highest point over 1,100 feet above sea level, we knew we'd be doing some hill climbing to reach the crest of the hills & the views.

Indian Currant Coralberry~

I've seen the above berries in several of the parks.  Thank you to Jerad G. who provided the ID!  I want to buy some to plant along our back bank!

Butch & Nika, top of the first bluff~

Lucky for us, it's been dry.  There were many places where the trail was very slippery. The ground frozen, with a thin layer of melted soil on top. Hiking here - once we get moisture or in wet weather is just short of impossible. The mud clings to the bottom of your shoes. If you wear hiking boots, they soon become heavy with stuck on mud.

Old root cellar~

As we dropped to the bottom area, between two hills, we came upon this old cave. It was brick lined, with pieces falling from the ceiling. Probably five feet deep, I sure didn't want to go in! Neither did Nika!

The water below is from the March floods. Some of the fields have finally drained.  The smell of rotting plant material is horrible.  Pretty in pictures, but not if you live nearby.

Looking NW - toward Omaha~

The plant below is my nemesis! It's almost impossible to see when you're walking through any kind of grassy ground. I was first introduced to it when I walked Pierce Creek with the rangers, laying out a new trail. Another time - Farah's legs were covered & I had to scrape them off with my hands! Here at home I've found them too - pulling them & putting the entire plant in the trash.

Virginia Stickseed

Tomorrow is the winter open house at Pony Creek Conservation Center - we may stop by. I hope to ask Dessa - the Naturalist there - to help me identify the reddish berry.

Heading back~

With about 3-miles of trails, we ended up doing a loop at the top. We also took a spur trail, but it ended at a private home. Horses are allowed here when the ground is dry. (It would have been tough to get even my horse trailer in the parking area.)

Southwest~

Coming back, the sun was lower in the sky & clouds were starting to move in.  We hadn't eaten since a morning piece of pie...  I was thinking about an early dinner for over an hour of our two-hour hike!   My months on the elliptical have paid off.  I do wish I'd brought my trekking poles for the downhills.

The truck waits~

We spent a few minutes scraping mud off our shoes, on the edge of a rough concrete pad, before getting back to the truck. Dinner in Council Bluffs hit the spot!