2021 - In Review~

 Five years & how fast they've gone.  December of 2020, we had three snowstorms.  Nika was in her element!  Even so, there were some beautiful days with plenty of sunshine. 

12-31-2020 Nika~

January continued the trend with a blizzard mid-month.  Snow was added to piles of snow. Between storms, I took Speedy out & with Butch watching, tried peddling.  I could make a full rotation.  All the weeks of physical therapy & work at the Y paid off.  Nika & I enjoyed our winter woods walks too.

1-11-2021 Taking Speedy out for a trial run~

This February, I had no ambition to visit WA.  Having spent most of last fall there recovering, I was happy to be home.  I asked about adding color to the walls in the house & Butch took on the project.

2-4-21 The office wall~

To celebrate our birthday's - we made a road trip to Glenwood Springs, CO.  Our home in the early 80's.  Soaking in the pool & watching the snow fall, had always been one of our favorite things.  We hiked at Rifle Falls & enjoyed a long weekend.

2-6-21 Glenwood Hot Springs Pool~

Back home, we hadn't missed another heavy blast of snow!  

2-21-21 The Cabin~

Enough already!  Shoveling had been an everyday routine for way too long!  Late February & into March, the weather moderated & the snow started melting.  Mari Jo & I took walks with our dogs out on the Wabash Trace.  I rode my bike for the first time with Butch, around Lake Manawa!

3-6-21 Connie & Speedy~

It wasn't easy, but it was sure wonderful to be out on two wheels!  By the end of the month, the grass was green again & my little daffodils were blooming!

3-30-21 Color!

By April, all the wildflowers were in bloom & spring had arrived in a big way!  In the marsh, I found new wildflowers - Dutchman's Breechs.  I was riding up to 17-miles on the Wabash Trace & visiting Butch at Agriland!

4-15-21 Speedy at Agriland

May, I was ready again for a different bike.  I really enjoyed riding the Townie, but thought I needed more gears for the long grades of the trail.  Most of my shopping was done on-line.  The Trek bike in the size I needed, was in Kansas City, KS.  I made the drive to pick up a Verve 3 Lowstep,

5-3-2021 Trek Verve Bikes~

Butch ended up buying a new Trek too & soon was outdistancing me on the trails.  Memorial Day weekend, we stayed over in Creston, rode our bikes & attended the Memorial Day services at the Greenfield Cemetery.

5-21-21 Creston Quilt Show

Once June arrived, I spent the days I wasn't riding, working outside. Butch worked to finish the ceiling in the cabin.  He put up the steel panels, while I sanded & painted the trusses.

7-26-21 Cabin finished~

July, daughter Courtney & grandson Mason came for a visit!  We would have kept them for the summer! :-)  We did all the fun things we could think of & a few more.  Mason loved his tour with Papa & checking out the big tractor.  The weather couldn't have been better.  Not hot, not humid, as perfect as a July could be.  Things were too quiet when the two of them left for home.

7-8-21 Mason in the John Deere~

August, with Butch laid off from Agriland, he had time to install the new windows for the house.  The difference they've made is incredible.  The installation led to removing the vinyl siding, adding vapor barrier & painting the shutters.

8-19-21 New windows, painted shutters~

The marigolds I'd planted in the usual spot along the south fence, provided us with color all summer. Butch put in a block wall along the west end of the house.  He also cut shutters for the Cabin windows.  We planted a new row of Emerald Greens along the north split rail fence. (Our second attempt at getting something to grow there.)

8-20-21 Marigolds~

September, Butch was driving a dump truck part time for a local company.  He was also back to driving the school bus.  We took an extended weekend trip to Mason City.  A town resplendent with Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.  Butch finished training & received his Class A driver's license.  (He also passed the test for hazmat certification.)  The bikes went with us, we rode the High Trestle Trail north of Des Moines on our way home.

9-18-21 High Trestle Trail Bridge~

October was mild & beautiful!  We had the big Walnut tree out front trimmed to clean up the damage from the August Derecho.  It produced a bumper crop of walnuts!  I hired the neighbor kids to help with the continual pickup.  It kept me busy for at least an hour a day for weeks!  I used the chips from the walnut to cover my trails.

10-11-2021 Walnut

November second, we had our first hard frost.  The leaves fell from the trees like rain.  It was totally beautiful out on the trail.  After a season of over 600 miles on the Verve, I came to the conclusion it was more work to ride, than fun.  Butch took me bike shopping again.  The Bike Rack put together a Cannondale Adventure in my size & I loved it.   It was not only fun to ride, but much easier to get on & off!  

11-2-2021 On the Wabash~

 After an extensive search & many phone calls, Butch found one in the size & model I needed.  The only problem was that the bike was in Seattle!  I called Alaska & changed my February flight reservations.  Right after Thanksgiving, I left for the Pacific NW.

I don't need an excuse to visit the Grandkids - staying with the Peters is always fun family time!  Courtney took me to pick up the new bike in Ballard.  We added a shopping detour to University Village.  The following day, we drove over the pass to Ellensburg.  Cassidy was returning to CWU after Thanksgiving break.  I really enjoyed seeing how she'd personalized her dorm room! 

11-28-2021 Cassidy & Grammy~

I tagged along with Courtney & Mason for Mason's doctor visit at the hospital.  Followed by ice cream!  It rained almost every day of my two weeks stay.  Courtney & I worked on craft projects & shopped at some of our favorite stores.  Lynn & I fit in lunch at the Maltby Cafe.  Afterward, we took a tour of the new housing construction around Monroe.  We went to see the horses, then ended the day at Lynn & Jack's new home in Sultan. 

9-5-2018 Butch with Farah, Iowa ~

After almost a year of positive texts from Farah's owner, she told me Farah was acting up on the way back to the barn & had scared her.  She was going to list Farah for sale.  I started checking with friends to find her a new home.  

Within just days, a sale happened. I wasn't told who to - until after Farah had been picked up.  It didn't take long before I found out it was a woman; I'd had a falling out with years ago.  She was well aware I would have stopped the sale, had I known.  I can only hope those who understand my ongoing commitment to Farah's welfare, will keep me posted as to her future well-being.

12-9-2021 Loess Hills~

Iowa from the air, is always such a welcome sight.  As difficult as it is to be so far away from our family, a couple weeks in the hustle & bustle of the Pacific Northwest is enough for me.  Seeing the Loess Hills come into view feels so right.

The second half of December was mild enough I was able to get Smokey out for a first ride!  I'm hoping for at least a few rideable days this winter. 

12-11-2021 Smokey ~

The beginning our sixth year & another New Year!  We appreciate more than ever, our home & life here in the Midwest.  If we could just convince the kids to move here too! :-)

Happy New Year - 2022!

Past Year - 2020~

Christmastime ~

 Merry Christmas!  

This holiday especially, it's difficult to be so far from the girls & their families.  Both are so good about calling. Butch received the cutest Gnome ever, handmade by our youngest Granddaughter's Skyla & Josie.  

We enjoyed a truly beautiful Christmas Eve & Christmas Day has dawned sunny & bright!  Perfect December days to enjoy, before the upcoming shift to colder weather more fitting for the time of year.  Taking the early trip to WA, made me a little late with our holiday decorating.  Even so, with Butch's help, we did more than I'd planned.  I was so happy he would be home with me for Christmas!

The Cabin~

The cabin always looks festive with holiday lights!  My favorite little tree adds cheer!  The swans are happy to be out again.

Inside~

On my walks, the blue sky, sunshine & yet green grass makes the days feel more like early spring than early winter.  The warm temperatures & no wind helps too.

The Marsh~

Only the Santa flag flying by the swing gives a clue to the time of year!

The swing~

I do keep it simple, especially since the weather can do about anything.

Front Porch~

We found the pine swag at Earl May's, early in the season.  I'd had the ribbon for years & it worked perfectly for the bow. 

Front door~

I did do some baking!  Frosted sugar cookies & of course pies.  

Our two favorites, pumpkin & southern chess~

We're both enjoying Butch's time at home.  The longest the two of us have been home together for many years.  Soon, that will change.  Butch will be leaving for Joplin, MO to start over-the-road training, while I hold down the home front! 

Happy Holidays!  May your New Year be filled with happiness, health, family & friends!

Winter's First Ride~

 I'd been weather watching, looking for a warmer day & less wind.  Today, we made it up to 50.  No wind, but cloudy - which made it seem colder.  I was excited to get Smokey out on what's my usual section of the Wabash.  

In front of Mari Jo's shop~

At Silver City, I had to get the obligatory photo of Smokey in front of Happy Trails!  

Butch made some changes to Smokey.  The rear rack that came with the bike, was almost impossible to attach my bag to.  We decided to switch it out for the Sunlite Gold Tec Disc.  We didn't realize the rear fender attached only to the rack, not to the hub.  Also, the attachment for a rear reflector wasn't the same as the rear light.  Those changes required some ingenuity on Butch's part!  Wire to attach the fender to the rack & electrical tape to keep the rear light in place.  Tomorrow, my husband has promised me he'll come up with a much nicer looking solution. :-)  I like the Sunlite rack so much better.

Derecho's mess!

This storm was the first December Derecho in Iowa's history.  It left us without power for three days & many more for much longer.  The trees along the trail took a terrible beating.  The volunteers have done a great job of getting all the big limbs cut & off the trail.

Smokey with the new rack~

Even most of the bridges were covered with sticks & twigs.  If I stopped, I tossed them over.  The great thing was, I didn't have to stop!  The gears are so nice & this bike so much easier for me to ride, it's a breeze to keep peddling down the trail!

Tree torn down~

There were lots of dead branches broken off, but seeing healthy trees down, is just that much less shade in the summer.

Almost to the Trestle~

It was like riding a slalom course!  I found out how handy the Cannondale is at avoiding ground clutter!  

On the Trestle over Silver Creek~

The temperature kept dropping.  I made it to the underpass of Hwy 34.

Turn around at 6+ miles~

I turned back but felt good enough I could have gone on the last couple miles to Malvern.  I was feeling a cold chill in the air, the sky looked like winter.

On the way back~

About three miles out of town I saw people walking the trail ahead.  Two friends who belong to the Mills Country Trail Board.  It was fun to exchange holiday greetings!  I was making great time!  When I downloaded my Garmin, my traveling speed was 7.5!  The fastest I've gone since before my injury!

In less than a mile, another rider was coming toward me - Mari Jo!  She'd been busy baking but finished in time to ride out & find me.  As we stopped, she said; "You were traveling!"  We rode back to town together & I kept up & didn't have to stop & take a break from peddling!  Mari Jo noticed how much easier this bike is for me.  I finished 12.5 miles & felt the best I have in forever.

Back at the shop, she wanted me to see her latest acquisition!  A gift from our mutual Veterinarian.  He'd had it in his greenhouse forever!

A tree grew into the bike!

Photos don't do it justice!

Growth around the spokes~

Mari Jo plans to display it outside the shop.  It will be quite the conversation piece!

I'm very happy the Cannondale is the answer to my riding woes...  It felt great to take on the trail without all the extra effort I had to expend on the Verve.  I felt lucky to get out, since next week, winter is supposed to let us know it's really here!

Lincoln Highway Drive~

 Touring Iowa~

Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway, Western Skies Scenic Byway & last but not least, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

A stunning sunny day, but very cold with temperatures in the low to mid 30's.  Just the kind of day for a drive in the country.  We decided to take the Lincoln Highway, leaving from Council Bluffs & going north to Missouri Valley, before turning east on the highway.  

There was a high bluff above the town, so we decided to drive up & see what view there might be?  We found a beautiful old cemetery, where the wind we'd experienced last Wed. had torn down a large Eastern Red Cedar.

Eastern Red Cedar down~

The houses in the area were beautiful, some with wonderful views.

Views east, down the hill~

I'd read about a Henry's Diner, in Crescent, IA & we decided that would be our destination for a late breakfast.  We now have a new favorite restaurant to add to our list!  Some of the best food ever, clean & with enough seating to handle the crowds I'm sure come here often.

I took the photo on our way home~

Back on the highway, we were almost to Woodbine, when the scene below caught our attention! :-)

Poor dog :-(

We both had to laugh!   It's so great, it's art! 

Grain elevator, near Woodbine

Woodbine is a beautiful town.  Neat, clean with freshly painted store fronts.  Everything closed on Sunday, but worth another visit for sure.

Harrison County Seat~

The next town on the highway is Logan.  Another quintessential Iowa small town, the county seat of Harrison County.  The copper top of on the courthouse is a standout!

It was a beautiful day's drive.  We turned back toward home from Logan.  For late December, the day was perfect, if chilly.  The week before Christmas has arrived!

Smokey's First Ride!

  It was a beautiful mid-December day.  Temperatures were in the mid 50's with no wind at all.  Butch drove me to the trail head in Council Bluffs.  Before leaving, I wanted to adjust the stock seat of the Adventure down a little in front.  The seat post did not have a tilt adjustment.  Butch took the post off the Verve & installed it on Smokey.  We adjusted the seat & I tried it out in the parking lot, before hitting the trail.  (Update - we figured out the tilt adjustment & reinstalled the original seat post.) 

Smokey first photos on the trail~

I was so excited to be riding again!  My last ride had been November 24th, just before leaving for WA.  Thanks to my husband's help, today would be a one-way ride.  My plan was to ride from Council Bluffs, south to Mineola.  Ten miles with the last four, all downhill.  I saw Butch drive by on the road & at a mile out, he met me at the road crossing!  I was glad he did, I needed a minor adjustment to the handlebars & moved my seat up again.  From there on, I was on my own.

Smokey on snow~

Riding this bike, was absolutely effortless!  Even being out-of-shape yet again...  It seems to take less time to lose fitness, the older I get!  When we came to the first bridge, the usual bump, was so smooth, I didn't realize I was over it!  Shocks are amazing!  I looked down at my Garmin - on the flats I was traveling 9.8 mph!  So much faster than I've gone for almost the year I've ridden the Verve 3.  Admittedly, my leg has been in recovery mode for many months.

By the new overlook~

Going south, there's less grade than north, but still a couple nice long stretches.  I used the lower gears & never once had to stop to rest.  Riding the Verve, I had to stop multiple times to rest, it took so much more effort for me to ride.

Lewis & Clark Trail signage~

At this point, we'd covered almost six miles & Margaritaville was just ahead.  The bike was handling perfectly & I was making the best time I have since before my injury.

On the downhill!

I stopped for a short break to enjoy the sunshine at Margaritaville.  There are so many trash cans there now, I didn't get a photo of the party cover or sign.  I texted Butch to tell him it wouldn't be long before I'd arrive!  On the downhill, I moved up to 8th & found myself traveling over 15-mph.  Again, the fastest I've ridden in forever.

Last bridge before Mineola~

As I got closer, I could see Butch talking to a woman with a bike.  Mari Jo!  She'd asked when I'd be leaving Council Bluffs & I let her know once I was on the trail.  She'd ridden north from Silver City, to meet-up with me & see Smokey!  She was almost as excited as I've been to check the bike out.  Smokey passed with flying colors!  Mari Jo agreed with Butch, saying the look on my face, was proof enough of how much I'd enjoyed my new ride.

While we were talking, Butch got on my bike & rode away!  Mari Jo said, "You'll be making another trip to Seattle!"  Butch loved the way the bike rode too & now, eventually wants one, if we can find it!  Thankfully, he has the great gearing on the Verve 2, but he was impressed with the increased comfort level of the Adventure.

Easy to load & secure~

When we got home, I checked my prior stats on Garmin Connect.  I'd almost exactly matched my time over this section of trail from April 21, 2020, riding Speedy.  That's the best I've done since my injury!  Better yet, my leg didn't hurt like it usually did riding the Verve.  Yes, I knew I'd put it to work, but it was more of a normal ache than the overuse hurt I've been used to.  Now, I'm looking forward again to rideable days & a fresh new year!