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!