It was a relief, to ride into the shade of the trail~
Speedy has a new rear view mirror~
After almost two-weeks, it was nice to be back on Speedy. We've experienced several days in a row of unmitigated heat & humidity. Instead of riding, I mowed & weed whacked. Nika & I took breaks inside to cool off.
The week wasn't a good one. Thursday, I had my first experience with a cryotherapy procedure. Not fun & no sun for me. Saturday, I received news of a family member seriously injured... I can only pray for a full recovery. I was still reeling from that news, when Butch informed me the Bronco & Explorer had been ransacked. I'd heard the sound of car door closing very early Sat. morning. Thinking it was the neighbors, I didn't get up. It wasn't the neighbors. Neither were locked, so the windows are fine. It was a grab & run. My ancient iPod was ripped out by the wires. Besides taking cash & change, no damage was done.
First of the leaves falling~
Today, continued our up & down weather trends, with temperatures below our seasonal norm. The cottonwoods are starting to loose the first of their leaves.
Speedy on the trail~
My mind needed a break - just the sound of the tires on the limestone was somehow comforting. Not hoofbeats, how I miss the mare that made those, but comforting none the less... I could almost hear the silence.
Beaver Dam~
The rivers & creeks are very low now. The lack of rain telling in so many ways. I went south to Agriland, where Butch had my icy coke waiting.
Back toward Silver City
I only saw two other riders in my 17-mile round trip. The Cardinals are the predominant birds still near the trail. A little black squirrel ran right towards me, then stopped just sky of the front tire! He shook from top to bottom, for a split second, before doing an about-face!
Dust on the far off road~
The dust on the gravel roads is really bad. I could usually see from a way off when a vehicle went by on one of the intersections. I waited for it to settle, to prevent being covered in grit.
The rear view~
Speedy's newest piece of equipment worked well. No one was out there - but if they had been - at least I wouldn't have been surprised. I have to remind myself to check it though - especially when my mind drifts off to problems I can't seem to find a solution for... Speedy doesn't do so well navigating without me!
Butch met me in Silver City & fixed a small problem with Speedy's front brake. We enjoyed a beautiful evening - the days are getting shorter!
Without the challenge of keeping a talented equine athlete fit - I'm left with my own level of fitness... Having always used my Garmin to record Farah's fitness, now I'm using it for personal goals. This week - I passed the 500-mile mark riding Speedy - since April 15th.
Keg Creek~
Either of the nearest trail-heads to our home are just under ten-miles away. Not bad & I'm thankful for it! I threw myself under the bus today though! :-) Since it was slated to be the last decent day in the next week, I decided to do two sections with good uphill grades.
With hot sunshine, along with the effort of pedaling a section of trail without the shade I'm used to I Did see this guy slither out! I stopped & carefully approached, wanting a photo this time! He hissed, showing his forked tongue.
Why does the snake cross the road?
He proceeded to continue out onto the trail & cross it - before disappearing into the grass! I'm really, really glad these guys don't seem to like our place!
Coming into Margaritaville~
Leaving Mineola, my destination this direction, was Margaritaville. I rode on to Dumfries, to get in a full four-miles.
Underpass at Dumfries~
I turned back, soaked in sweat.
Speedy posing~
Speedy insisted on a photo, she did look cute with the colorful sign. The fun part was next! Four-miles of downhill! Yippee! We flew! Seventh gear got a good workout!
I didn't even stop - when we returned to the trail-head at Mineola. Passing the Bronco, I headed south, toward Silver City. It's another uphill grade, but only two-miles before the trail surface turns to concrete & another 2-miles of downhill.
Mari Jo was at her shop, she asked if I was going on to Malvern? My answer? "NO!" Butch had a class to attend, so wasn't there to bring me back to the Bronco anyway. I didn't feel like stretching my limits to over 30-miles.
circa - 1890 -1905
I always like asking questions about the towns in our area & their history. Mari Jo is a wealth of information on Silver City & shared the above photo with me. Happy Trails Cycle Shop was originally the newspaper office! The large building on the right - was the lumber yard.
It was after 4 when I started back to Mineola. This time, the climb came first. The last two-miles to Mineola are a fine, fast ride! Once home, Speedy got a bath. When Butch is gone, Nika & I watch horse movies :-) I highly recommend "Chasing the Wind".
A week or so ago, Grandson Ben went to visit Farah. His phone was on speaker & he asked me to call out her name. When I did, Nika came running - checking out both the front & back door - looking for Farah! :-) It did my heart good to know she still remembers our gold mare.
On I go - toward 1,000 miles on a bike! More difficult than the first time with Farah!
It was a warm, clear Monday with 10-15 mph winds. I have the Bronco back. Butch had borrowed it while his truck was in the shop. I can hardly take it anywhere, without getting compliments. Butch was asked why he was driving his "wife's" Bronco? I loved that! I enjoy my usual ride to Agriland & afternoon break with my husband.
The Bronco & Speedy~ Silver City Trailhead
Though warm, the humidity was in the 50's & that's a blessing in August!
Speedy, as a size comparison for the now tall corn!
Evias, who worked for our friend Dean at Granite Falls Thoroughbred Farm for years, now has his own farm in Mexico. He texts me from time to time & even sends video of his farm. The last one I received was of his corn field. I responded with a photo of an Iowa cornfield. :-)
On the trail to Malvern~
Even with the wind, we made decent time to Agriland. I found Butch watering the flowers we planted around the sign this spring. It's amazing how much they've grown!
Signage & flowers~
They looked so puny when we put them in, but now, are almost overgrown! The mums are taking over & will soon be blooming!
Speedy points out "to be sweet corn field!
Next year, the men are going to take advantage of the above property to grow sweet corn! Butch is excited to do his first planting! I think we'll have sweet corn coming out our ears - pardon the pun!
While I was there, a delivery semi arrived with a load of dry fertilizer. I wanted to watch the unloading process. (A super short video, above.) I didn't think to get a photo of the huge bins, where each dry fertilizer type is sorted & stored. From there, after the farmer picks the exact percentage of each type, the products go by conveyor into the mixer.
Dry Mixer~
The mixer, mixes it - before dropping it out the bottom & onto another conveyor. On the far side of the wall, (below) the Tender truck is loaded.
Tender Truck being loaded in the Dry Shed~
Below, is the area where some of the liquid chemicals are stored. I was impressed at how involved the process is - providing the products needed for the crops to flourish.
Wet Shed~
It was fun to get a tour of a few of the buildings & the processes.
32% Max Storage Tanks~
After sharing a cold coke, it was time to turn back. Most of the mid-west is experiencing a drought. The river is the lowest I've seen it.
Silver Creek from the trestle~
In our area, the infrequent rain storms have been spotty. We've been very lucky in Glenwood, to get enough rain to keep things green. The humidity contributes too. Many farms though, haven't received even an inch of moisture in months... Pastures are dry & cattle are being fed supplemental hay, months ahead of usual.
On the Trail~
Late in the afternoon, there's always such contrast from the hot light of the sun & the dark shadows of the trees. For the last week or so, I've ridden through areas where there's a very rich, almost cloyingly sweet smell? It's the flowering nettles! Loaded with blooms now - they dominate many areas along the trail.
Blooming Nettles~
The wind seemed to pick up on my way back. Some days - I feel like I could ride forever - others - I'm glad to be done. Today was one of the later. Butch met me at the trail-head. We again decided on the Monday night special, at Tobey Jacks.
Agriland~
The Google image above is a very old one. The new large shop isn't there, but where my track enters & exits - is the east door. (The big shop now covers all of the dark rectangle in the photo.) I rode on through, exiting the west door & turning right - where I found Butch at the front sign. The point farthest south is where the sweet corn will be planted! I can't wait!
Sunday night - the humidity was so thick! I called Butch out to the porch - I actually think you could smell the sweet odor of corn in the air! I didn't have much hope - Monday would be near decent enough - for me to get in a ride...
Monday! We woke to beautiful blue skies, sunshine & slightly more moderate temperatures. I started chores & let Nika out. Walking to the office at the west end of the house, I looked out to see a huge, dark, ominous cloud hanging in the NW. Well - now - I'm thinking a nasty thunderstorm... NOT! Within seconds, a HUGE wind hit full force! It slammed into the house like a runaway train! I ran for the back door to call Nika in!
The biggest blast had passed - when I took this.
She'd been caught at the far east end of the house & came running - into the wind! Leaves filling the air, branches sailing by! At FULL speed now - she was flying - as she made the turn & came up the hill headed for the steps! The next blast about lifted her up on to the deck! No steps needed!
Moving on past us~
I took a couple photos - they don't do the Derecho credit! Offutt Air Force Base clocked it at 68 mph. It tore one decent sized branch off our Walnut. Lots of branches were down in the timber, but we kept power. I had no idea such a thing existed - but I do now! The weatherman said the storm was 60-miles wide & 260-miles long.
It left, almost as fast as it had arrived. Butch said it hit in Malvern just minutes later. The sun returned! All the heavy humidity was blown away! Fine then! My ride was still on.
On the trestle - toward Silver City
Butch picked me up & I decided to leave from Agriland & ride my usual section in reverse. I didn't even think about it - until I was out there - the possibility of trees being down. There were none, but branches were scattered everywhere.
Remodel of the Pavilion at Silver City!
Making great time to Silver City, I was happy to see the pavilion is getting much needed repairs! I sure missed the cold coke I usually have before my return trip! Mary Jo takes Monday's off, so I didn't even get a cold bottle of water!
Speedy, begging for nuts~
Speedy keeps gaining more bad habits - watching me as I at a few peanuts - at least she's not as pushy as Farah can be!
Time Capsule~
Looking forward to the re-opening!
The wind was actually blowing - of course right as me - as I left. We've decided the wind here - blows whatever direction you don't want it to - or sometimes - all directions at once! Once back on the trail, it was peaceful & quiet. I love having it to myself. I've reminded myself too - all too soon - the greens will be turning gold. Then - I'll have months - of the great wide-open!
The way back~
The day had warmed & the humidity was climbing. I was happy to get back to Agriland & more than happy when Butch offered dinner out :-)
Today, no doubt about it, has been hot & humid. Probably one of our top-ten most miserable summer days. Just standing outside was enough to make you sweat. Butch actually went out in the heat & mowed the city easement across from us, another responsibility he's taken on.
We decided to take a drive south on I-29. With thoughts of a meal at the Keeping Room, we turned off toward Nebraska City. The new bridge on Hwy 2 looks close to completion. The usually bustling town was very quiet. We'd just missed arriving before the 2 p.m. closing time.
Back on I-29, we turned south & went down one more exit, turning east, toward Hamburg. This town had been under water for months, due to the floods of 2019. Now, it seems to be a ghost town... We'd planned to stop at the Awesome Possum Flea Market, but it too - was closed.
Hamburg~
As we turned down the main street, it was hard to miss the above building. It looks like the bricks on the buildings corner just gave way recently. Sad to see such historic buildings begin to crumble.
Loess Hills to the right, Missouri flood plain on the left~
We left town, following Google directions for another destination Butch had heard about, Whiskey Springs.
Whiskey Springs~
They were open & didn't look busy! We were hungry by now! The front patio dining is fine, but gives what would be an attractive exterior, a cluttered look. We both think the front portico is a new addition, hopefully waiting for paint.
Inside Entry Signage~
The laser cut, brushed metal signs were perfect. A bar area was to the left, with outside seating. Concrete tables, bar top, floors, etc. give it an industrial look.
Large Barn Room~
To the right, was the main part of the barn building, with it's own bar. Really one of the nicest venues I've seen for parties or gatherings. We found a table in the corner of the bar with the bonus of having Saratoga horse racing on the flat screen.
Lunch was really, really good! Worth the drive. I wondered if Whiskey Springs did have a spring? After our meal, we walked around outside & found a Koi Pond - water supplied from the spring. It was tucked away in a corner of the property at the base of the hills.
Koi Pond~
The windmill was a nice touch too.
Windmill / Fountain?
From the set-up of the water tanks, this is a fountain, when it's running.
Beautiful old Caddy!
We had to stop to admire the beautiful classic Cadillac parked out front. Probably within a couple years of my Dad's 54.
Signage~
From the interior of an air conditioned vehicle, it was a beautiful summer day!
I was getting desperate! We were down to one lonely jar of my canned zucchini relish! I've made this on my own, since my very dear friend LaVonne shared her recipe with me. Never a fan of relish - the first time I tried hers, I changed my mind!
Yes, adding lots of steam to the house!
Every summer, when I knew LaVonne was canning - I'd head over to beg a few jars :-) Finally - she said; "Connie, I'm going to give you my recipe & teach you how to do this on your own!" Well! Not exactly what I'd expected - but I was game to give it a try!
On Wed. evening we went to our local farmer's market on the square & I bought out one stand of zucchini. On for fresh carrots, onions & other secret ingredients!
Waiting for the low simmer~
Yesterday afternoon, I spend peeling, cutting, chopping & then soaking all the ingredients in a salt brine. I had only sketchily written one key part of the recipe - which necessitated a call to LaVonne! How very good it was to hear her voice after all these years!
We had met just shortly after Butch & I were married. We had a few dollars as a wedding gift & went to the mall to spend it on necessities. There was a booth - similar to the one below, with this couple selling bee products. (Ron was a Bee Keeper - his honey was admired & enjoyed by everyone in Washington State!) That meeting was the beginning of many - very long stories & a friendship that survives the years.
Ron - August 1992
Ron's untimely death - just five-years ago - was a huge loss to every single person who had ever known him. This was a man who helped anyone in need. His warmth, honesty, generosity & strength of character are to this day legendary. He & LaVonne had a marriage strong as bedrock & envied by all who knew them. LaVonne has shown that same strength - moving on in life - without him.
Jentry getting a ride on Ron's bee boom! May, 1984
This wonderful couple adopted us. We were so young, had two girls to raise & they made us feel like family from that first meeting. The years rolled on. They knew we wanted a place in the country & one afternoon took us up to see a a beautiful property just outside Granite Falls. It was too much for us to take on at the time, but guess who ended up buying it & moving to the country?!
LaVonne & Ron - watching as their first Grandchild is christened. 7-4-1988
We drove up often & in a couple more years, were taking them to see another property, just on the other side of the river. Only three-miles away - what became the Homestead!
We were always there for each other - in the tough times & the happy times! We shared holidays, birthday's & loved attending the yearly Christmas Party & pot luck at the Babcocks! We talked for over an hour & it was like we'd seen each other yesterday.
Finished product~
I spent this afternoon cooking, filling jars & boiling water! I couldn't help but remember all the good times & wonderful experiences our two families shared. LaVonne has been our dear friend for almost 38-years now. That's a bushel full of memories! P.S. We learned a LOT about Bees! :-)
