Back to the Lake~

Counting today, I managed to ride four times in January.  More surprising, two of those were on the Wabash.  With the weather's up & down temperatures & snow from the last storm still melting, the trail would be too soft to ride.  It's a bit of a drive, to Lake Manawa but worth it to have miles of nice trail surface & be out in the sunshine.  The day did still have the look of winter though, as the cloud cover increased.  Our high was 60.

On the trail~

Last year, my first ride was in March & I'd spent the winter months recovering from my injury.  This year, I feel special, being able to take advantage of the warmer days that cropped up every week or so.  

This bike is such a pleasure to ride!  I can't believe I struggled as long as I did with the Verve.  

Along the east side~ 

In the few places where the trees line the trail, I enjoy the view of winter woods.  There were a couple places where the snow had melted enough to form small ponds in the low spots.  A couple I could circumnavigate, but others I rode through.  Fenders do come in handy!

Way to the Wabash Connection~

I turned east, toward the Wabash, hoping to see if the trail had been reopened.  The signs were off to the side & as I watched, two bikes came toward me.  I asked & was told the underpass was open.  I decided I'd save those extra miles for another day.

Canadian Geese on the golf course~

The geese were out in large numbers on the golf course.  A huge flock enjoying such warm weather before the next round of cold.

The frozen lake~

My Garmin hadn't fully charged, so I just made one circuit around & returned to the Explorer at seven miles.  I'd gotten a later start than I'd planned.  With the cloud cover moving in, the day was cooling down.  Tomorrow our temperatures are going to drop again, low teens for the next few days.  Time to enjoy a warm house!

Over-the-Road!

 Butch completed his orientation last Tuesday at CFI & is now officially a Driver!  

He called Monday morning to ask if I wanted to make the drive south.  Of course, I said yes & couldn't load the Explorer quick enough!  I dropped Nika off with Doris & was on the road shortly after noon.  

On the way south~

I'd driven to Kansas City the end of last April to pick up the Trek bike, but this trip to Joplin would be longer, at just over 300-miles.  Leaving home, it was cold & overcast, but traveling due south, the high clouds made for perfect driving weather.

Google decided to take me on a scenic drive when I got closer to Joplin.  After almost 30-min. in heavy 5 o-clock traffic, I found the motel & my husband waiting outside!  It was ever, ever so good to see him!

CFI Headquarters in Joplin

Butch took me on a little tour of the area before we went out for dinner.  I don't think we stopped talking the entire time I was there.  He finished orientation on Tuesday!  It was great to be there to congratulate him!  I'd spent the day sitting in the sun & worked on a latch hook rug I'd started a couple years ago when I was up in WA.  

Most mornings, Butch meets with the guys from his class in Springfield for breakfast. They had all completed orientation too.  Wednesday morning dawned cloudy & bitter cold!  I'd seen a huge antique mall not far from where we were staying.  After lunch, we checked it out, then took a drive around town. 

Thursday came way too fast...  The next step is the wait for a Finisher.  The men were told it could be anywhere from five to ten days, maybe more.  During that time, they receive a morning email, with the assignment for the day.  Butch was to be at CFI headquarters by noon. 

A CFI truck ahead!

Time for me to head home...  I was so happy to have had the short visit with my husband!  Three-weeks had seemed like forever...

Cap given to the Veterans who'd completed orientation~

The weather had warmed into the 40's, another perfect driving day.  This time, Google actually sent me the way I should have come in!  I saw downtown Kansas City - really a beautiful city!  The trip home was as smooth as the one down had been.  I counted CFI trucks on my way :-) Eleven heading south & only the one I passed going north.

Yesterday, Butch's Finisher called!  They meet today & if all goes well, Butch will leave tomorrow with Steve from Kentucky - for about 21-days on the road & over 7,000 miles at the wheel of a Kenworth T-680!   

God Made a Trucker~

Sunday Walk~

 Early sunshine & temps in the low teens, made way for cloud cover & temperatures climbing into the 20's.  On the way to Silver City, the car thermometer read 19.  Luckily, there wasn't much wind.

Mari Jo, Nika in front & Gracie

Mari Jo took over both leashes so I could take a photo.  It was So cold; my fingers were frozen before I had my gloves off.  Our one warm day yesterday, up to 40, just couldn't hold on for another.  We're back to the up/down cycle of cold to bitter cold.  With just over a week left in January & February on the way, the winter doldrums or cabin fever are in full swing.

Creek frozen solid~

I appreciate having such a good friend to share these winter walks with!  If I lived closer, we'd do it more often.  Instead, Nika & I walk the woods most days.  Today, we kept moving to keep warm!  The trail surface was rock hard but won't be if things warm up again.

Each week since Butch left - I've progressed - at least somewhat.  The first?  I don't want to talk about.  I cleaned whether things needed cleaning or not.  I organized, again whether it was needed or not.  Anything to take my mind off being lonely. The second, I was lucky!  The weather cooperated & I enjoyed three days of bike riding!  This week, I felt more like I'd found my stride.  I've completed a couple small projects & have plenty more lined up to do.

The cold trail, heading north~

Nika thinks she's found her stride too!  At least when it comes to keeping me on a schedule.  She wakes me promptly each morning with little grunting sounds.  She must have an internal alarm for breakfast time!  She spends most mornings outside, waiting for her daily barks at the mailman! Then, there's her lunch snack, after I have my lunch.  (Little chopped bits of my apple & a couple crackers.)  

Mid-afternoon is her attention time.  I sit out with her, if it's anywhere near warm & we watch the sunset over the hill.  The longest wait is always for her dinner.  5:30 p.m. just can't come fast enough! :-)

Nika~

Doris & I have kept each other motivated to go to the Y.  We try for three afternoons a week but settle for two if we're not in the mood.  Working out has never been fun for me, but I sure feel better when I'm done.  My leg is holding up to my old workout of 30-min. for two-miles on rolling hills.

Butch calls in the evenings.  I put him on speaker, have the fireplace going & the two of us kick back in the living room.  The minute he mentions her name, she'll look up at the phone.  I'm not the only one missing him!

It always feels so good to get out & move! 

Lake Manawa State Park ~

 There were plenty of things I could have been doing, but to pass on another glorious January day - was impossible.  After lunch, I loaded Smokey & drove up to Lake Manawa State Park.  Again, the temperature had soared into the low 50's.  The wind was in the teens, but it was only bad out in the open.  

Smokey ready to go!

The only other car in the parking, was a lady with a fat tire bike. She was leaving as I arrived.  Otherwise, the park was really quiet.  Of course, it was mid-week & mid-afternoon.  I'm really thankful to have this park, not too far away & with rideable hard surface trail.

New Campground - done!

It didn't seem to take long to complete the new campground.  We'd first seen it under construction March of last year.  I'm sure it will be booked every weekend, as soon as it's opened.

South side of the Lake trail~

My favorite part of the entire ride is along the south side of the lake.  The big Cottonwoods & timbered area between the trail & the river is so nice.  You'd never know a large city was a stone's throw away.

Construction in the distance~

I rode out to where the park trails connect to the road going to the Wabash Trace.  It's still closed, I think the railroad is working on the underpass where the trail goes through.  

The "ugly" part of the ride, Veterans Memorial Hwy~

The sidewalk along Veterans Memorial Highway is the path along the north side of the lake.  It's a nice wide walkway, but the noise from all the traffic can be deafening.  There's also a busy intersection to navigate with lots of cars turning.  This was my first time riding here without Butch, so I was careful.

Trail along Indian Creek~

After all the noise, it's a relief to reach the long, straight stretch of trail that runs along the west side of the park.  Usually, we run into a head wind, but I was lucky today!  

Amazing homes along the lake, Coal Plant on the far side~

There are some truly beautiful homes along the west side of the lake.  Private docks & a waterway that accesses the lake.  

Bridge at Indian Creek~

A man I'd seen before on an Ebike came up from behind me going fast.  He was pedaling of course, but he had to be going 15-mph. With no one else on the trail, I stopped to get a picture of Smokey on the bridge.  

Back in the park~

The bridge turns you directly back onto the trail at the south.  Beautiful the entire way.  By the time I'd reached the parking area where the Explorer was, I wasn't quite ready to be done.  I continued on & took the other connecting path out to the Wabash.  

Back to the beginning of my loop~

I ended up making a small loop, just as the construction workers were leaving for the day.  The sign at one end closing the trail wasn't up, so I didn't feel like I was infringing.  It added a couple miles to my ride.  Turning back to the west on the southern trail, I was soon back at the Explorer with just over 12-miles.  Smokey is so comfortable to ride.  Riding on hard surface seems so easy after riding the limestone of the Wabash.

Lake Manawa~

I stopped on my way out of the park, to get the photo of the lake's frozen surface.  The ice isn't nearly as thick as it would normally be this time of year.

My Route~

I started for home, really pleased with a week in January where I managed to ride three days in a row & thirty miles!  Especially when snow is due tomorrow & colder temps for at least the next ten-days!  I did miss my husband riding with me!

More January Sunshine!

 Today was deceptively mild.  The light breeze actually felt warm.  Our temperature at home topped out at 54 degrees.  When I arrived in Silver City, there was almost no wind!  Mari Jo & I had planned this ride since last weekend, in the hope the trail would stay frozen.

At Happy Trails~

Mari Jo said she needed to check her tire pressure.  I asked her to check mine. Well...  Now I know why I was working harder yesterday.  Smokey has Goodyear tires - I found the recommended psi on the sidewall.  The rear tire was at 28lbs., the front 32lbs.  Well under the manufacture suggested 70-80 psi.  Those lower tire pressures probably helped in the snow though.  Mari Jo explained that bigger tires lose air faster than the smaller tires my Verve had.  Lesson learned!  Now I'll be checking tire pressure before I ride.

Spectacular day~

Once we were out on the trail, we both realized the surface was starting to thaw.  There were places where our tire tracks could be seen, but we weren't sinking in.  Sticky is one of the descriptive words used. 

Frozen creeks~

We couldn't help but comment more than once - on the beautiful day & had to keep reminding ourselves it's only mid-January.

Mari Jo & our bikes~

The usual quiet on the trail is its greatest draw for me.  With another day of warm weather forecast, we won't be riding here again for a while.

Silver Creek from the trestle~

The creek was tinkling along under the ice.  We could see in several places where the deer had crossed from one side to the other.  Along some of the edge, the ice was already breaking away from the banks.

Bikes on the trestle~

The Trestle is always a nice sunny spot to warm up, at just over four miles from Silver City.  We continued to the far side a way before turning back.  The snow was thicker on the next section, more shade, more snow.  There too, though, the unseasonable warmth was starting to soften the trail surface.

The Beavers now have two dams~

The beavers have been busy!  Two nice dams now in this creek.  So pretty with the water flowing under the ice & again making the most beautiful sound!

Back at Happy Trails, we'd finished just under nine miles, on the sticky surface.  With an ice storm forecast for Friday & snow on the way - the next few days will be interesting!  Back in Glenwood, I decided to stop at the car wash.  It was a much easier & quicker way to wash the trail grit off Smokey!

First Ride of the New Year!

 My first miles in January!  Ever!  After weeks of biting cold, today it warmed to 50!  The winds were in the teens, but not enough to stop me from going out to see what the trail was like.  

Smokey, outside Mineola~

I decided to leave from Mineola & ride the uphill grade to Margaritaville.  It was the same tough uphill grade.  The wind is always hitting me head-on when heading north, but once I'm around the corner & get into the shelter of the hills, it lessens.

Keg Creek~

This was the first time I've seen Keg Creek from the trail bridge, frozen.  I stopped a few times on my way.  A Cardinal few by, as did a big Hawk.

A vacant Margaritaville~

It's always a relief to reach the top of the grade.  I went on to Dumfries to get in a full four miles, before turning back to take a break.  The further I went; the more snow was on the trail.  Still not a lot, but enough to make riding a little more technical.  There were many sticks & branches under the snow too.

Smokey on the snow~

I'd only seen two women out walking the entire way.  Back at Margaritaville, I was only too happy to sit on the swing & enjoy the sun.  It was so quiet, not even the sound of birds.  All the trash bins had been moved to the new covered area to keep them out of the winds.  The POW flag was down.  I took it the rest of the way off the post, rolled it up & put it under the cover too.

View to the west~

This area has received even more bike racks over the last year or two, the new covered area & lots of picnic tables.  All will receive a lot of use on the Thursday evening Taco Rides this coming year.  I avoid the trail like the plaque those days!

Goodyear tires!

Smokey's tires did a Super job on the trail!  The snow was still crunchy on top, then could be slippery underneath.  The trail surface was still rock hard, but a layer of fine grit, covered the tires & fenders.  Never once did the bike slip.

Smokey & Mineola~

I love the view from this spot.  There's a bench to sit on here too.  Sadly, even with a trash container, trash was everywhere.  I picked it up, before I left.  The ride back is my very favorite part!  All downhill, so fun the entire way.  I did take it easier though, not wanting to ruin my good ride with a slip.

Back over Keg Creek~

The minute the sun started setting lower in the sky, I could feel the temperature dropping.  The wind felt colder too.  I was happy to have timed the ride well enough to still have sun back at the Explorer.  Coming into the trailhead, there were two other cars.  Two people out walking & one other with a bike rack.  I'm hoping to get out again tomorrow.  We've cold, freezing rain/snow forecast for Friday, along with another full week of cold temperatures.  It feels like a l o n g way till spring!

Weekend Wabash Walk~

 The weatherman was wrong...  The partly sunny day with temperatures up to forty, didn't happen.  Instead, the morning was overcast, gray & fog started moving in.  Even so, our high of 32 felt almost warm, after days & days of the bitter cold.  

Nika & Gracie~

Mari Jo had invited Nika & I over for our first dog walk of the year.  Everyone is trying to avoid cabin fever.  A couple weeks ahead of our first walk last winter, today, I could walk!  I've been going back to the Y with Doris.  When my ninety-year old friend says she'll go if I go; I go! Indoor exercise is better than no exercise.

North from Silver City~

The portion of the trail that's concrete, was dry.  Not too much farther, it was snow covered in the sheltered areas.  We both would have appreciated the sunshine we enjoyed last year!

More wind damage~

It's crazy to see the damage done to this tree from the windstorm...  There's not much of anything holding those big limbs up in the air.  Definitely a place we hurried to get past!

Gracie & Nika~

These two remembered each other but aren't exactly friends.  Both would like to dominate, but neither will submit.  Instead, they each take a side of the trail & try to ignore the other :-) Mari Jo noticed the change in Nika, since Butch has been gone.  She does miss him.  When he calls in the evening, I sit in the living room, as though he were here.  I put the phone on speaker while she lays between our chairs to listen.

Creek - frozen solid

The creek is frozen solid, as is ours at home.  The little amount of snow we received a week ago today, is still on the ground.  If the weatherman is right next week, we'll have a couple fifty-degree days to melt it off.

Nika on the limestone~

The limestone was frozen solid.  Mari Jo explained it will now go into a freeze/thaw cycle.  If there's too much thaw, it will be too soft to ride.  We're holding our breath, hoping it will be rideable on those upcoming warmer days.  If not, I plan to head up to Lake Manawa & at least get in a few miles there.  I haven't had Smokey out on a smooth surface yet.

The two miles went too fast, except we were both feeling the dry cold.  I stopped by Tobey Jacks on my way home & picked up a tenderloin to go.  The smell made me hungry all the way home!

New Year - New Career~

 Butch left for Springfield, MO on Sunday.  

1-2-2022 Butch ready to go~

Our New Year's toast - was the title of this post.  Butch is excited to take his driving skills to the next level.  We'd discussed over-the-road driving, since learning just over a year ago, a friend had entered the field.  Roxi was very helpful in explaining the hiring process & her experiences.

After submitting all the required pre-employment paperwork & drug tests, Butch was accepted by CFI trucking & was registered for trucking school. 

1-1-2022 Unhappy Nika~

 Nika was very unhappy Saturday morning, when she saw the bags coming out of the closet.  She's never happy when I pack up to leave, but this was the first time in a long while, Butch has packed.  He used duffle bags from our horse camping days.  We'd driven up to Council Bluffs to pick up the rental car on Friday.  

His destination~

Monday was his first day of class at Truck Dynasty Driving Academy for CFI.  There were only seven students out of the twelve who were registered.  Butch was only one of two who had their Class A Commerical Driver's License.

Truck Dynasty~

Yesterday Butch was moved up a class ahead of his original group & was excited to have a go at driving the tractor/trailers.  He aced his first backing maneuver!  Today, they'll be working on parallel parking.  Butch's instructor mentioned - the truck was "Not a School Bus!" :-)

I still hadn't quite prepared myself - for my husband leaving. It was hard to see him drive away, even as happy as we are to have this next chapter begin.  I turned to my shovel...  I shoveled all the driveway, walks & even along the curb where the snowplow had piled the snow from the road. 

Training at the academy usually lasts three-weeks.  Following that is a two-day company orientation at CFI headquarters in Joplin.   Next, going on-the-road for three weeks or 7,000 miles driving with an experienced driver (finisher).  If everything goes according to plan, Butch will have his own company Kenworth T-680 & be heading home to outfit it the end of February.  I'll be able to go along!  I'm not sure how much I'll want to go along, but maybe I'll try a road trip.