Record-breaking Heat ~

I know of no other way to describe it.  The temperature wasn't too bad, mid-80's & climbing, but when you combine it with a dew point in the mid-60's & not much of a breeze at all - it's muggy!  We had what some are calling a million dollar rain last night.  Town picked up about1.5 inches, but those in the outlying countyside got up to 2.5".  Not having had rain since a light drizzle July first, things were so very dry, it was life giving for crops, lawns, trees & what flowers hadn't burned up. 

This has been the third hottest summer on record.  Since we're so close to Omaha, I'm using those statistics.  The temperature reached 90 degrees on 22 days.  Three more than in 2019.  The first nine days of June were also the longest, earliest stretch of 90 degree days.

Per the Omaha World-Herald -

Omaha set a June record for the average low temperature being the highest since record-keeping began in 1895, according to the National Centers for Enviromental Information.  In other words, nights averaged the record warmest for any June in 125 years.  On two nights, Omaha set individual records:  June 7 & 8, when the overnight low failed to drop below the upper 70's.

On the trail~

The trail had been so dusty the last few times I'd ridden, Smokey would come home covered in dust.  I had to clean the chain for the first time after my last ride.  Today was great as far as the trail surface!  The rain had settled the dust & it made for a wonderful dust free ride.

First of the golden leaves~

There's one tree after the trestle, that always turns color & drops it's leaves first.  I was happy to see that tinge of gold & the word fall has been mentioned by my friends, more than once lately.  The long string of days over 90 degrees, combined with the lack of rain, had us on edge more than we realized.

Smokey under the arbor~

Of course, like I told Butch, fall is the precursor to winter & winters can get very long!  I don't look forward to that!  Each time I stopped, the breeze stopped too :-)  Gee - I wonder why?   I did my circuit around the neighborhood, before returning to the trail.  I stopped at the park, to call Butch.  We were hoping he'd have time in his schedule for a stop at home.  Some dispatches have been scheduled with lengthly, unnecessarily long drive times as the industry has slowed along with the economy.

Silver Creek, with slightly more flow~

I'd been talking with Butch for quite a while, in the shade at the park, when I realized I wasn't getting any cooler!  Time to get on the trail & head back!

Another turkey feather~

I made another stop, when I saw the above feather in the middle of the trail.  It's the third turkey feather I've found!  Butch asked me what I'm going to do with them?  Maybe a headdress?  :-)  I have no idea, but they go on top of the bookcase for now.

Corn still looking good~

I've heard the Nebraska corn is way too dry & the crop may not be what is usually harvested.  From what I've seen of our Iowa fields, I hope our farmers will get what they expect.

Once back in Silver City, I stopped to chat with Mari Jo at Happy Trails.  The cool AC is always so welcome after a long ride!  At home, I heard from Butch.  He'd stopped for the night at the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City.  Depending on how long picking up his next load takes, he might make it home tomorrow!