False Fall~

 The title of this post is new-to-me term, but it proved to be 100% correct.  Our Omaha weatherman gave the name to last weeks stellar weather.  We had some totally beautiful days.  Temperatures in the 70's, a light breeze, blue sky, I marked several as perfect on the calendar.

Edge of the woods~

The problem is, it didn't last through even the weekend. By Saturday we were back to 90 & it's stayed that way so far this week. I was so happy to be spending September at home for a change, but 90 is a full fifteen degrees above our seasonal norm...

Volunteer Marigolds, with my Red Germaniums~

When I didn't get home last fall, Butch left the marigolds in the ground.  I didn't get them pulled until well into this spring.  To my surprise, I had marigolds sprouting everywhere!  Yes!  No complaints from me!  They've done incredibly well all summer!   

Mid-August~

 The hanging basket at the cabin provided months of colorful blooms!  Finally, though it stayed green, flower production came to a halt.  It came down when the fall decorations went up. The beautiful variegated lavender is now planted in the ground.  I can only hope it survives winter.

Flower bed~

I didn't plant the germaniums along the front of this bed, this year.  The trees have grown & there's now too much shade.  They did fine, a little further down the hill.  The first flower bed I planted, it's a reminder of where I started with this property.  

The Cabin, dressed for fall~

Two of the seven emerald green arborvitae we planted, died.  Luckily, Home Depot had received a few more that weren't totally dried out.  We replaced the two & they all now look like they'll survive.  With the heat, I'm back to watering.  Today, I cut down the echinacea & tossed the seed heads in the woods.  The butterflies were a constant visitor all summer.  

Fall is here!  Our sixth in Iowa on the Home Place!  We had one morning where the temperature dropped just below 40.  I loved the brisk feel in the air & look forward to many more.  Even so, we've had snow flurries in October before!  The days, that go on forever in summer, are quickly shortening as dusk arrives earlier & earlier...  One of my favorite times of year.  

High Trestle Trail ~

 The High Trestle Bridge, rather than just the trail itself, had been on my bucket list for a while.  We made a weekend trip to Mason City & planned a detour to include the bridge.  We decided on an access point at Flat Tire Franks, near Madrid, IA.  This business was like Tobey Jack's on steroids.  Admittedly, we were there mid-day on a Saturday, the place was booming.  

Far end of the large parking area~

Madrid was a small town & the trail parking lot was easy to find.  The bridge itself is located half-way between Madrid & Woodward, the western end of the 25-mile trail.  Signage pointed the way to the bridge, about 3.5-miles west on the trail.

Partly shaded trail~

The day had warmed into the high 80's with plenty of humidity.  It seemed more like a mid-summer day than one close to the beginning of fall.  For whatever reason I didn't think I'd need to wear my usual riding clothes.  My street clothes were soaked in sweat before we even reached the bridge, riding the downhill grade.

Construction detour~

There was only one detour, where the trail is under repair.  It was paved & super easy.  On the drive down, we could see sections of the trail, most were in full sun.  Here though, there were enough trees to provide some shade in spots.

Plenty of rude riders~

The Tall Dog Bike Club did nothing to impress us...  They overwhelmed the trail in places & most, obviously, had spent too much time at the bar.  As Butch arrived at this spot, the riders had completely closed the trail.  He cleared the way, but I still had difficulty avoiding riders who had forgotten polite trail etiquette. 

East end of the bridge~

We were also surprised to see horses were allowed along the side of the trail, but not over the span of the bridge.  The bridge itself is so impressive!  Thirteen stories high, the fifth largest trail bridge in the world!

From an overlook~

We met a hiker from the area, who told us normally the Des Moines river would reach from one side of the valley to the other.  Leaving the pull-outs, you had to watch for bikes speeding along as though they were in a race.  People trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll across the 1/2-mile bridge found it difficult.  It was almost embarrassing to be on a bike!

Mid-span~

I waited for a clearing of the traffic before taking this photo.  The interpretative displays were full of information & fun to read.  I can't imagine how difficult the work in the local coal mines were for both the men & the mules...

No head room here!

As we approached the west end of the bridge, the air was full of wasps!  We peddled faster!  Once across the view from the overlook is amazing!   You can appreciate the full size & impact of the bridge on the landscape.

Looking back east from the overlook~

We took a short break before riding back the way we'd come.  Next time, we'll plan to do the entire trail, probably leaving from Ankeny. Late afternoon & mid-week to hopefully avoid the bike traffic & see the bridge with it's lights on!

Last Days of Summer~

 This is the first September I've been home in three-years.  I'm again, looking forward to enjoying the trails, in the more moderate weather of fall. With today's ride I reached 513-miles year-to-date.  September fourth of last year, (What ended up being my last ride.) riding Speedy, my total mileage was 542.  I'd fully expected to come home the end of the month & continue riding, but that didn't happen.  It's taken a lot more determination - to reach the milestone this year.  Looking back on my first few rides, it's been a long way & not just in miles.

Into the welcome shade!

It had been a week since I'd been on the trail.  As the trees start to drop their leaves, the shade is getting thinner.  Today, was forecast as the coolest for the next several.  Mid-80's didn't seem very cool, with high humidity coming up from the south.  We're supposed to see 90 again over this weekend.  This morning was actually brisk, with a low in the 50's.  A sign fall is around the corner.   

Crops turning gold~

I stopped to chat with Mari Jo.  We're both looking forward to riding, after the shop is closed for the season.  Several riders from out-of-state had visited, just in the last week.  Mari Jo was kept busy fixing flats.

Wild Grapes~

In 2020 my first ride was April first. This year, with early nice weather, we rode around Lake Manawa the first week of March. Even with an earlier start, this summer's heat/humidity didn't provide as many decent days for riding.

Breezy on the Trestle~

May 3rd, was the first ride on the Verve 3.  It took a while to re-adjust to the different pedal position in relation to the seat.  Of the miles I've ridden this year, 434 have been on the Verve.  

Leaving Malvern behind~

I still miss not having Butch waiting for me in Malvern.  It always provided the extra little push that motivated me on this long (for me) ride.  Our new rest break is the picnic table at the little depot.  No one was around today.  The afternoon was only getting warmer & more humid.  I ate a few pumpkin seeds, before starting back.

The golden corn left, soybeans - right~

The Malvern water tower is in the upper right.  The golden crops in the fields are another sure sign fall will be upon us.  Even the smells in the air are changing to drier, more earthy odors.

Creek almost dry, filtered sunshine~

Just a couple other riders were out today, neither took the time to respond to my hello.  Once back at Happy Trails, as I used Breezy' s seat to lift the bike & found myself holding the seat, still attached to the seatpost in my hand!  The entire piece had released from the seat tube.  Upon further inspection, I saw the threads were completely disengaged, under the rubber cover of the shock. 

Threaded ring at the top of the seatpost.  In correct position & tightened down.  The rubber shock cover usually hides this.

 At home, Butch pulled in just as I was unloading Breezy from the rack.  He looked at the seatpost, seat tube etc.  We both thought it strange, so decided to go look at his bike.  His was loose too!  Not completely disengaged, but about half-way.  Since his bike gets less than half the miles mine does, that made sense.  He thinks just the vibration of riding is enough, over time to loosed the cover screw.  I pushed down on my seat, while Butch tightened it back up.  Just an FYI for Verve riders.

Dirt Work at Farm Creek~

 Butch has been driving Old Yeller this week, again.  He's still waiting for Red Dog to return from the mechanic's. Since he's hauling dirt on the back country roads, I though it was probably fairly decent driving.  He suggested we make a trip out to the work site - so I could see area of the creek project.  I realized in short order, not driving in city traffic does not mean the driving is easy!

Starting down the Grade B "road"!

 Once we turned onto the Grade B road, I could see where the ride would be anything but smooth!  The F-150 doesn't sit as high as our F-350 did, but in the next few feet, we were scraping bottom & I was hanging on!  I asked Butch to slow down several times!

A bumpy ride :-)

There's not much slowing down, when driving a fully loaded dump truck on a downhill grade! Even with seat springs, he mentioned it being a rough ride.

Even more bumps!

The surface was still damp in the shaded areas. It's easy to see why no work is done when there's been the slightest rain. It was a beautiful evening. We'd had a cooler day in the mid-80's.

Farm Creek & fish ladder~

From what Butch has learned, in this area of the creek, the dirt sloughs down one side every few years & starts to block the creek flow.  Crews have to go in, pull out all the dirt in the creek bed, then truck it around to the other side.  Once there, it's used to back fill the area it originally slipped from.

Dirt work~

You can see on the left side, where the dirt has been returned & is being graded before rock will be added to stabilize the hill.  It's an much bigger project than I'd expected.  The bridge is important to the local farmers working fields on both sides of the creek.

Looking back at the bridge~

The dump trucks make a square circle going from one side of the creek to the other.  Loaded with the dirt out of the creek on one side, then driving it around to the other. (The trucks can't use the bridge.)

The Back Forty

Butch had gone for lunch with the crew at a bar & grill, not far from the work site, in the town of Macedonia. The Back Forty, was our dinner destination.  The food was outstanding & the décor was really fun. 

Macedonia - main street~

A very small, but very quaint town, one of the oldest & most historic in SW Iowa.  Work was going on in one of the buildings, hopefully a new shop will open.  With a population of 244, the town supports the local farming community.

Beautiful sidewalk railing~

This side of the main street is elevated, a throw back to the horse & buggy days!  People could step from the buggy directly onto the sidewalk without stepping into the dirt of the street.  A grant & donations providing funding for the thirty-three panels currently lining the walk.  They act as a safety feature for people unaccustomed to the height of the curb.

We took the back roads to return home.  We're enjoying these last evenings of the summer season, even with the sun setting earlier each day!

September on the Wabash~

We're now into the weather roller coaster time of year.  After a scorching hot weekend, today we enjoyed temps in the mid-80's & blissfully lower humidity!  Mari Jo had her shop open over the long holiday weekend, so the closed sign went up today!

Breezy at Happy Trails~

Neither of us had ridden for over a week & not together for a few more.  It was fun to be back out on the trail again & so beautiful.  We'd just entered the canopy of the trees when a Monarch butterfly flew right in front of us!  He stayed either ahead or to our side, for quite a way.  A little further - we had several in the air around us!  What a wonderful feeling to be accompanied by such ethereal friends.  

Dead tree down~

Not far south, this dead tree had come down.  Mari Jo looked to possibly move it father from the trail, but it was too heavy for us both.  It was easy enough to get around & the orange ribbon gave a heads up to anyone moving fast.  (By our return trip, it had been cut up & moved to the side.)

Mari Jo kept me so busy peddling, I didn't take many photos!  :-)

The bikes take a break in the shade~

Once in Malvern, we did take a short break before heading back.  The wind was out of the north, so the return trip took a little more effort.  Mari Jo, as usual, made it look way too easy.  My leg continues to improve, but still doesn't have the strength or flexibility it did a year ago...

Monarch, in the Marsh, last Sept.

The Monarch's are in the middle of their fall migration to Mexico.  One of natures wonders - such seemingly frail creatures can make such an arduous journey.  If you read the above link, their destination's habitat is dwindling year by year.  Several local groups are involved in supporting the migration as they travel through Iowa.  Milkweed balls are tossed by bike riders all over the state.  Most of our local trails & roads have milkweed growing along the sides.

Riding with so many in the air around us, is an experience I won't soon forget.  I hope they continue to survive in spite of the challenges.  I'm looking forward to my first fall rides on the trail!

The Walnut gets Trimmed ~

With the damaging wind storms, the local tree companies have been swamped with work.  Bill at TNT did the first work we needed on the Home Place in May of 2017.  The removal of a big, overgrown Mulberry at the east end of the house.  It had created quite a mess & we didn't want it coming down in a storm.

Mulberry~

Our beautiful Walnut out front, was carrying a full, heavy load of walnuts when the storms came through.  Each broke a few branches.  Butch cut out what he could reach with the ladder, the rest were too high.

Walnut, 8-26-2021

I was mowing all morning & just ready to stop for lunch when Bill & George pulled up.  We discussed the tree's damage.  We'd had it professionally pruned by an arborist the first spring we were here.  Since then, it had grown & grown!  Bill explained to me how some of the branches could contribute to the tree getting significant damage, if they weren't removed.

Bill goes to work~

After a short break, I was anxious to go back out & watch Bill at work.  I helped haul branches to the chipper.  

Yard full of branches!

It wasn't long before the yard was full of small limbs.  The chipper was going full speed.  I wanted the chips for my trails.  Walnut trees are allelopathic, so the chips can't be applied around bedding plants.  They should work well for my trails though.

I also asked Bill to cut down a tree at the edge of the forest. It's been in the process of dying off for several years now.  In no time it was down & I really appreciated the mess hauled away!  It took just about three-hours to get the job done. 

The grass for a huge distance around the tree, was literally covered with walnuts!  You couldn't walk the sidewalk without chancing a slip & fall.  About the time I was wondering how I'd ever get them all picked up, the boys next door came home from school!  I asked if they were interested in earning some money picking up walnuts?

My hard working "crew"~

I pulled all Farah's old buckets out of the horse trailer & walnuts were flying into them!  Soon, we had the wheelbarrow full!  We emptied that load & filled it again before we were finished!  I really enjoyed the company of the kids!  What a hard-working crew they were!  Mom & little sister came by to help with the last few :-)

All done~

All the limbs overhanging the house were trimmed back.  Bill said the tree will "fluff" out again next spring.  I'll miss all the shade, but with fall around the corner, the leaves will soon be dropping anyway.  It's the first tree to lose it's leaves & the last to open them.  I'm just happy it's healthy & the main limbs are all strong & rot free.