Halloween Ride ~

 Last day of a beautiful month - dry - but beautiful.  It seems even drier - if that's possible - now that most all of the trees have dropped their leaves.  It's a constant crunch, crunch under Smokey's tires as they roll over them.  The month hasn't even had as much wind as usual.  I've been raking leaves at home & that's unusual too.  Most years the wind has blown them far away.

2 p.m. at the Trestle

Mari Jo rode with me today, she's back to normal after her reaction to the flu shot.  Happy Trails is now closed for the season & it will be missed by the riders who stop by.  It's a good thing for me though, as we hope to get in a few more late season rides.

Fields down~

As usual, Mari Jo kept me peddling & we didn't stop until the Trestle.  I told her my Cougar story.  She commented that they're seen more often in the area than people realize.  We were passed by three ladies, two of them riding electric bikes.  I'm still not much of a fan - especially when they come up fast behind you without a word of warning.

View from the Malvern Depot~

We stopped at the Depot for a short break.  This streak of ongoing unseasonable, warm weather has local riders out enjoying the trail.

At the Depot~

A aquaintance of Mari Jo's came by & stopped to chat.  We asked about the field with the top soil being removed?  Word is - it's to become at least 35 low income houses.  We all had to wonder how that will work out, with the on-going water issues Malvern has experienced?

Land of development~

In Washington state, it was awful seeing trees cut & land cleared for the neverending development.  Here, it's difficult seeing such rich land capable of growing crops, be stripped of it's top soil & paved under.  The cost of progress.

Google earth image, yellow pin where the development will be.

The road that's now gravel, will be paved & of course traffic over the trail will increase exponentially.  As the population continues to grow, the loss of open space will have to continue.  At least here, growing crops is still of major importance to the state's economy.

Greens long gone~ Creek still flowing~

I've taken several photos of this area of the creek, over the years I've been riding the trail.  One of my favorite spots where I enjoy watching the seasonal changes.  We made good time on our ride.  We'd left a little earlier than I usually go out, so returned to the shop early too.  Of course with the time change next week, we'll be loosing that last hour of light in the afternoon...

4:39 p.m. Sun setting over the woods~

By the time I'd driven home, the sun was just getting ready to set behind the woods.  Our little corner does fall into shade sooner than the higher parts of town.  I don't mind it at all, as we cool down quicker in the summer months & miss some of the heavier winds.  At least I like to think so!

Goodby October!  Nowhere near the usual mositure we receive this month.  Now, we're hoping for a nice wet November!

I Saw a Puddy Tat!

 Another simply beautiful fall day!  I'd planned to ride with Mari Jo, but she texted that she wasn't feeling the best.  Far from usual for her!  When I pulled in to the parking area by Happy Trails, she was walking across the road to meet me.  She had a bad reaction to the flu shot, lasting several days & still wasn't up to par.

Last of the golds~

I wished her a speedy recovery & left on my way south.  At the rate the trees are loosing their leaves, it won't be long at all until the look of the barren winter months will be here.

Beaver Dams~

The first creek crossing was so pretty.  The Beaver dams are still in place here & holding nice small pools of clear water.  I was moving right along & didn't stop again until reaching the trestle.

Silver Creek, lower by the week~

Today, I noticed the water level was definitely lower than on my visit last Friday.  I could easily see the silt of the bottom under the waters surface.

South side of the Hwy-34 underpass~

I can always tell within a mile or so when I'm near the underpass from the sound of the traffic.  It seems louder now with the leaves almost gone from the trees.  I rode on to the Depot.  I'd stopped to open the pack on my bike to find that my small water bottle had leaked all over everything inside my pack :-(  I hadn't tightened the lid enough...  

Looking north from in front of the Malvern Depot~

Since it was warm out, I filled it at the hydrant by the Depot.  I hadn't tried water from this source, so took a swallow to find it had a somewhat mineral taste.  From here, it's just a short distance back north to the park entrance where I stopped to call Butch.

Top soil being removed~

Traveling back north - I stopped just off Key's Ave. to take photos of the top soil being removed from this large field.  Having seen this type of work many times before in WA, I'm pretty sure there's some type of development slated for this land.

It was late in the afternoon & the trail was so quiet.  Up ahead I spotted an animal off to the right side of the trail, near the trees.  As I got closer I thought - Coyote?  But no, bigger & the wrong color.  When this animal spotted me, it jumped across the trail to the left side.  As it crossed, I could see the tawny brown color & long tail of a decent sized Cougar!  He ran for maybe 100ft. (10 of my pedal strokes)  before moving off into the timber! 

Smokey & me on the Trestle~

What a thrill!  I called Butch from the Trestle to tell him of my encounter!  Seeing Cougars in Iowa is a rare occurance, just a very few a year, with no breeding population.  Butch told me that now - the cat would be behind me!  :-)  I told him I was putting the river between us, unless the Cougar took the bridge.  I hope he continues to move right on across this state & finds safe harbor somewhere with a higher tolerance for wildlife!

Stand-out orange leaves~

I was almost sorry to be done with today's ride.  These days will be gone all too soon, with the fall change back to standard time & upcoming winter months not far away...  

Last of the Color~

 Today, to me anyway, was a perfect weather day!  The mornning started out at 28 degrees, frost on the ground & brilliant sunshine.  We had our mat-makers fall pot-luck & the turnout was smaller than usual.  We missed seeing all our friends & still had enought food to feed an army!  I ate way too much & every bite was yummy!

I'd planned to ride today, with Monday's misty rain gone & my work caught up yesterday.  I was ready to leave when Butch called & said he had time in his schedule to come home for the night, before heading west!  I could just get in a shorter ride.

Soy field down for the season~

At Silver City, things were quiet, only one other vechile in the parking area by Happy Trails.  The countryside, with the fields down, has regained it's wide-open look. I ran into Mari Jo a couple miles from town, she was returning from a ride as I was leaving.  We had a short conversation about the weather & drought.  She mentioned that the worry is the municipal wells providing water to the towns - possibly going dry if this drought continues...  

Southbound~

The views from the trail are rapidly transitioning from the beautiful golds & oranges of early autum, to the last of falls color.  Someone had gone along this area of trail & swept away the walnuts & leaves.  I could see either sweep or blower marks here & there.  The rest of the trail was a little easier to navagate, with some of the leaves gone.  The squirrels are hard at work still, gathering up the bumper crop of walnuts.

Silver Creek ~

It was a very quiet day too...  The water level in Silver Creek has gone down some.  The .30 of rain we received on Monday, was hardly enough to settle the dust.  (Butch though had welcome rain to drive through, all the way south to Carthage, MO.)  Nebraska is even drier than we are.  The North Platte river is completely dry.  I'm amazed that Silver Creek is still flowing & the small creeks feeding into it still have a little water.  

South end of the Trestle~

The rust of the trestle, looks beautiful against the orange of the leaves.  The smells too, are so fresh, since the light rain.  Today the weatherman said we had a slight chance for more moisture, but the clouds didn't produce what we need so badly.

Bright colors!

I called Butch from the trestle & he was already in town & dropping the trailer.  I turned back for Silver City.

The look of fall~

The trees now barren, have the look they'll keep for the upcoming months of winter.  Mari Jo & I have mentioned many times, how neither of us could live in a place that doesn't have seasons.  

Another bright little tree!

I wasn't up to par today, that's for sure!  The heavy lunch took it's toll on me.  I was happy to finish up the shorter ride & return to the Explorer.  As I came down the hill a couple blocks from home, it was easy to spot Butch's big Blue Freightliner parked in his spot by the cabin!

Very Dry Return ~

 Today I returned to the trail.  Perfect weather - lower 70's, a light breeze & low humidity.  There was no mistaking how very dry its been.  The sky held a high gray overcast, filtering the sunshine.  Not the usual bright blue I enjoy.

Leaves covering the trail~

The leaf litter was nothing like last season.  I thought things were dry last fall & they were, but this year has topped it.  The less than a half inch of rain the area received on the twelth - did nothing to reduce our growing moisture deficit.  As of the first of September, the Glenwood area was 6.5" below normal.  The last week of record breaking cold just acted as a catalist for the trees to drop their already dried leaves.  There is very little color - compaired with other years.

Fields harvested~

With the bright if hazy sun - the newly harvested fields with their terraces - look almost surreal.  Since it's been so dry, farmers haven't had many oportunities to burn off the weeds on the terraces.

Large Cottonwood, dry ground~

Even in the most shaded areas of the woods along the trail, it's obvious how dry it's been & continues to be.  Rain is again in the forecast for the first of next week & I sure hope it comes.

On the trestle~

It was beautiful, though.  The upper canopy almost totally gone now, with just the understory trees showing any color at all.  Last year, even almost two weeks later,  the colors were more brilliant & the trail still had a lush look. 

Leaf litter on the trail~

The dust is still thick too, I think that's what is filtering the sunlight.

At the Malvern Park Pond~

The water in the pond is low, no geese on this day.  This photo shows the haze in the air.  (I decided to ride my usual round-trip, even though it had been over two-weeks since I'd been back on my bike.)  My break was cut short due to the hundreds of Asian Beetles swarming around the covered picnic area.  They were crawling up the support posts that were in the sun & landing on me constantly, even though I was in the shade.  I remembered how I fought them when Farah was still here.  They would land on her in numbers so large, I'd use the sweat scraper to get them off, only to see them land again.  They do bite!

Cattails, dried~

Riding through all the leaves was somewhat of a challenge too, since they hide the walnuts & uneven trail surface.  Even the mile of concrete going into Malvern was still covered with leaves & walnuts. 

Silver Creek~

Silver Creek has a good flow for the time of year.  I didn't notice much of a difference in the water level at the Trestle.  I was passed by three woman riding electric bikes.  They asked if mine was electric to which I replied "No"...  I  hope to not go that route for a few more years yet!

Beaver dam's gone~

The Beaver dams are gone from this little creek.  It still has water flowing, which was good to see.

Rust colored stinging nettles~

The stinging nettles have had their last hurrah for the year, wilted from the frost & turning a rich rust color.  On my way back, the last section of trail before Silver City runs parallel with a graveled road.  I was hoping there'd be no traffic, but one car went flying by & the dust was thick.  I waited a bit before riding through it.

Dust in the air~

When I arrived back home, covered with a fine layer of dust, I felt like I'd not ridden in a while!  I was surprised when the weatherman said it was a top ten day!   We're supposed to warm up to the high 80's over the weekend with big winds on Sunday.  Monday is to bring us promised rain.  I'm still waiting on the cool, slightly overcast, moist days of fall I enjoy the most!  :-)

Fall Woods~

 Each year about this time, I like to get a few photos of the woods.  We returned home from our anniversary trip late afternoon, last Wednesday.  Nika had a wonderful time staying with Doris - as usual!   She'd gained some needed weight & was rested after her time as Butch's OTR companion.  

It's been beautiful since we've been home. I love seeing the sun set over the trees, but the lawn is the driest it's ever been.  We keep the front watered, along with some of the newer hosta's & shrubs.  The backyard has to fend for itself.

10-13,  5:41 p.m. Backyard with dry lawn~

Thursday, started out cloudy & we had just a spritz of rain for about a second, even with heavy dark clouds overhead.  By late afternoon though, the sun reappeared & the woods looked so pretty!  The wind has been pretty much non-stop, but temperatures have stayed mild.

10-14, Sunsetting through the trees~

While Butch worked on Blue, I cleaned the inside & outside of the Cabin windows.  We took down the AC unit & put it away for the winter.  My gernamiums were moved to the new shelving unit by the Cabin's south facing sliding door.  They'd grown way more than I expected, since transplanting them to 8" pots.

Looking west~

With the big Cottonwood down from the windstorm earlier this year & it's canopy gone - the woods get alot more light.  Pretty now, but hotter in mid-summer.  The additional light seemed to make the grass/weeds grow faster.  Butch bought me a new weed whacker when my old one wore out.

Timber Trail - south

There's already a good layer of walnut leaves on the ground with plenty more to follow.  I haven't seen  any of the blue lobelia this year.  The moles are the worst ever.  Every square inch of ground had been tunneled.   When you walk, it feels like you're stepping on a sponge as the soil sinks beneath your feet.  Most of the hosta's have been totally undermined, but are still alive.  The trail I heavily mulched with walnut chips last year, hasn't been spared from the mole mess.  

Little Bird~

 I still have several broken limbs that need to be cut away from the trees.  I managed to pull one big one down & it took me down with it!  The man who helps with the lawn, walked it with me last week as I pointed out what needs to get cut.  There's still quite a lot to be hauled away from the Cottonwood too, since one of our trees had to be cut to get it to the ground.  I'm hoping for an extended fall to finish the cleanup.

Tinkle Branch Trail - east~

By Saturday, Butch had his next dispatch, picking up product at Con Agra in Council Bluffs.  I rode along as he dropped the empty he'd brought home & picked up a trailer full going to UT.  We stopped for ice cream at Tastee Treat on the way home.

10-16, Butch heading out~

The following morning, he was heading out.  Rested, re-organized & with Blue sporting the new mud flaps we'd found at the I-80 Truck Stop!  (Nika is staying home with me.  She didn't ask to be lifted into the truck when it was time to see Butch off.)  

Temperatures are due to drop this coming week & with the cold, a hard freeze.  As soon as we get the next forecast warmup, I plan to dust Smokey off & get back on the trail!

Night Lights & Plants~

 One of my favorite things about fall, is lighting.  Even though the days are getting shorter & shorter, it's such a homey feeling to enjoy decorative lighting, both inside & out.  We're due to have our first frost this weekend - so all my flowers, now in their full glory, will be done.  I'll bring in a few for the winter months, but I don't have room for them all!  The outside lights give me more time to enjoy my plants near the house, for a little while longer.

Red ivy leaf geranium's

I'd looked for several seasons for vining gernamium baskets without success.  This year though, our small local grocery got a few in & they were red!  I about gave up on them mid-summer, they didn't like all the heat from the south exposure.  But as the temperatures moderated they started filling out & blooming!  I'll be setting them in & out for the next few weeks, to extend my enjoyment for a few more weeks anyway!

Back deck~

My red mini-blooming geranium's (on the plant stands) were grown from cuttings off the mother plants I'd wintered over last year.  This spring they grew so fast I had to re-pot them into 8" clay.  Now, they'll move into the cabin by the south facing doors.  

One of the blooms~

We ended up with privacy panels on the east end deck & all the plants love the diffused light.  It blocks some of the wind & makes such a nice little seating area.

The Cabin stays decorated in blue.  The little wooden wreath I've had for over twenty years & it goes up under the covered area each fall.

Cabin~

The planted flower bed below, was the first one I put in.  It's grown & filled out more with each season.  The lights against the black back drop of the woods, gives some depth to the view of the yard from the house.

Purple blooming hostas~

Two years ago, I found a spider plant at Sherbondy's in Council Bluffs.  I'd found the rusted rod iron plant stand & the spider plant was perfect for it.  It was much smaller last year & spent the winter months in the spare room.  This year it's even bigger & the stand has disappeared!

Spider Plant~

Spider Plants can take temperatures down to about 40 degrees, so with the upcoming freeze scheduled for early Saturday morning, this plant will be coming in!  I'll have to get used to things looking bare - but I'll delay that as long as possible.  It's always an adjustment after the lush summer months!

Eating Dust!

 An old horseman's saying is;  "Make dust, don't eat it!"  Well, today Mari Jo & I ate a lot of dust!  Harvesting is in full swing in the fields along the Wabash Trace Trail!  We could hear the equipment in the fields, even if the trees hid the work-in-progress.

Mari Jo stops so I can get a picture~

Of course our state is way behind in rainfall & it's the driest I've seen it since we moved here almost six-years ago.  June's preceptation was 3.75", 1.51 below normal for the month.  There was some improvement in May, but that changed in June according to Iowa DNR. SW Iowa is the driest in the state...  August marked the fifth month in a row of below normal statewide average preciptitation.

Harvesting soy beans~

At the clearings though - we could see the farmers hard at work.  The air was so full of dust it was almost hard to breathe.  We hadn't picked the best of days to ride, but the weather has been wonderful, if not for being so dry.  Of course now - I think of wonderful as any day that's 80 degrees or below - without our summertime high humidity.

Loading into the truck~

It was fun to watch as the work progressed & the fields were stripped of their crops.  At one point on our return to Silver City, Mari Jo pointed out a tiny, young opossem in the middle of the trail ahead of us.  He was frozen to the spot, but when we stopped, he finally scurried off into the timber at the trail's edge.  I felt sorry for him & the other critters who make their summer home in the fields.  Time to move out - that's for sure!

Smokey in front of fall color!

We took our usual short break in Malvern, before heading back.  Not far out of town, was this area of blazing color!  Of course the bright reds are posion ivy - but its certainly a standout this time of year!

Harvester at work~

This picture gives a better idea of how much dust is stirred up as the fields are cleared. Of course we had a decent wind out of the SE & a few good gusts pushing it our direction.  We've very lucky that even with the lack of rainfall, the crops in our area anyway, have managed to produce.  Area's in Nebraska & other parts of Iowa haven't been so lucky.  Of course the numbers on the crop yeilds have yet to come in.

Back at Happy Trails, we were both ready to go home & shower off the dust!