Glenwood Preserve Walk ~

 After a week of cold days, it was wonderful to feel warmer temperatures creep in today!  I decided to take Nika on a walk at the Glenwood Preserve.  Our last visit in February of 2019, had been after trying to walk at Mile Hill Lake & finding the trails too sloppy. Looking back after we returned home, I was surprised to see it had been the same time of year.

Nika on the first bridge~

Nika & I are getting used to being on our own, but that doesn't mean it's any easier.  We comfort each other & I look forward to what's now become sporadic phone calls from my husband.  Being on the road & driving as many hours as he can in any one 24-hour period, makes it impossible to expect a call at any given time of day.

On the trail~

Today he'd hoped to make some distance toward his next delivery in Phonix, AZ, but a low tire on the trailer ended the day's drive.  The good news for me - was having a bit more time to talk while he waited for the repair.  Google Maps & Google Earth help me to follow his progress across the country!

From the hill~

I'd planned to ride my bike, but the winds had picked up along with the warmer temperature.  With this area just a couple miles from home, it's worth the short drive to have such a nice hike.  I love the territorial views from the top of the hill.

Views~

We walked down the hill along the far fence line.  At the bottom, the grassy mowed trail connects with the paved one going to the old picnic area.  Why this area fell into disrepair probably has something to do with a lack of funds for maintenance.  Our property taxes are so high - higher now than they were for five-acres in WA...  I do have to wonder where all those dollars go...

Where the picnic covers used to be~

Since that last visit, two of the covers had been demolished, with debris left everywhere.  A couple of large piles, but lots of mess from one end of the area to the other.  Like the work had been started, then just left as was.

Picnic area, now in ruin~

I'm hopeful at least the larger pieces of lumber could be salvaged.  The central area between the pathway's had been burned.  Probably to destroy invasive weeds.  Several portions of the park have been planted over the years, in native prairie species.

End of the trail~

Leaving the picnic area, we turned onto the paved trail going east & took it all the way to the end.  I hadn't worn my Garmin, but someone had painted mileage markers on the paving.  They showed the distance as just over a mile out from the parking area.

The way back~

I sat on the bench for a short rest before starting back.  With the sun setting & shadows lengthening, the early evening still felt very warm!  By the time we were back at the Explorer, the sun had disappeared behind the hills.  A really enjoyable walk for the first weekend of February~