Rock Island Old Stone Arch Trail ~

It was a very warm July Sunday.  We were on the road north toward Shelby, IA to ride a trail I'd found on the  Iowa By Trail web site.  Though the site stated the trail left from the Loves, that was incorrect.  Loves was on the wrong side of I-80.  On the north side, at the Quik Pik Shell travel center, we found the the trailhead.

Speedy was going to jump on the Rock Island!

The nature garden was just beautiful!  Picnic tables, a gazebo, small playground & sidewalks where some little tikes were riding their bikes!

Speedy & Silver were ready!

 The Rock Island Old Stone Arch trail is paved & four-miles in length.  Really worth the drive if you're looking for a short, scenic ride.

Signage~

 There was a steep downhill drop taking us west for a short way, before we turned east.  We passed a beautiful wetland but didn't stop until our way back.  The shade of the trail beckoned.

On the Trail~

 We passed one family & one jogger, but otherwise it was quiet, the sounds of the interstate fading within a few minutes.

Open trail heading toward Shelby~

 The trail was beautifully maintained.  Native plants & milkweed blooming along the sides.  Butterflies in the air & birds everywhere.

Milkweed~

 We arrived at the town park & admired the Rock Island Caboose & Train Station.  (First Photo)  The Caboose was all original inside.  We had to peek in the windows :-)

Shortly past town, I was in the lead when I heard the loud flutter of wings & a covey of pheasants took to the air.  They'd been nesting in the shade of a huge tree.  There were at least four or five females!  The first I've seen in forever.  To Speedy's credit, she didn't spook!  :-)

Butch on the trail~

 The trail was out in the open for a mile or so.  Many wildflowers were along this section, most past their prime.  Up ahead we could see timber & steel structure.

Dedication~

 The old bridge was amazing!  Moved here in sections, how wonderful the men above had the foresight to save it & in doing so enhance the trail for future generations.

Butch on the bridge~

 The day was a beauty!  Strong colors, a light breeze & puffy white clouds.

Back the way we'd come~

 On the far side, the bikes wanted to take a break!  There was a well placed picnic table, under a huge tree, providing lots of shade.

The bikes rest :-)

 We started back & even though the way out had been mostly a downhill grade, the return wasn't at all difficult.  A very easy & very beautiful trail!

Butch by the wetland~

 The only gravel is a short stretch along the wetland.  The wetland itself was larger than I expected & so nice to see!

It was so hot, Speedy threatened to go in!  :-)

 The yellow green of the surface algae almost matched Speedy's color.

Huge Cattails~ 

We enjoyed the eight-mile round-trip & it will be on our list of favorites!

Our route~  Google Earth