Break from the Heat~

 Or so I thought!  The forecast was for lower 80's & slightly less humidity.  By the time I'd driven to Silver City it was already warmer than I'd expected.  Happy Trails was busy, I waved to Mari Jo & took off down the trail.

At Happy Trails~

I'd taken my usual two bottles of water, but I stopped just over a mile out to take the first of my electrolytes.  Even in the shade of the trail, it was much warmer than I like & no breeze at all.

Soybeans getting huge~

The corn is well over 5 feet tall now & completely encloses the trail where it's planted on both sides.  Again, a perfect block to any possible breeze.

The Walnut Grove~

Seeing the Walnuts & the shade they provide, made it seem cooler, but it wasn't.  I thought about turning back at the Hwy 34 underpass but decided to continue on.  The last mile or so of concrete is always such a nice reward after seven miles of limestone.

Arch at Malvern, looking north~

Riding all the way to the depot, I stopped under the shade of the arch to log my stats.  Any shade at all was welcome - but the only breeze - was the one Smokey made!

View from the north picnic area~

The southern picnic covered area was occupied, so I rode on around to the far end.  On a Sunday, I was actually surprised there weren't more riders out.  I made my usual call to Butch.  He was in the middle of a reset, on a strip of land between the Columbia River & Columbia Slough, just outside Portland, OR.  His weather, in the low 70's with a nice breeze off the water, made me very envious!  As we were talking, I could see a large line of thunderheads off to the north.  The weatherman had forecast storms later tonight, into early tomorrow morning. 

Silver Creek west, from the trestle~

The weather forecast was wrong.  By the time I was back at the trestle, the clouds had moved in.  With them, the almost constant, rolling sound of thunder.  I was more than thankful for the cloud cover though.

Tall Bellflower~

Here & there were the Bellflowers, still in bloom.  I've found a couple of these in our woods, so I hope to have more.  Native American's used the crushed root for coughs.  I felt a couple drops of rain, so picked up my pace the last few miles. The air was positively stifling...  No breeze, very still & humid.

Just two miles south of Silver City~

Once I was back into an open area, I had to stop to get a photo of the amazing clouds sweeping in.  There was no doubt now - rain was coming fast!

I got back to Happy Trails, loaded Smokey & went inside to say goodby to Mari Jo.  She was closing up shop & said if I hadn't shown up soon, she'd have gone looking for me.  So nice of her!  I'd driven just to the top of the first hill out of town - when the rain hit!  A torrential downpour!  I put the wipers on full blast just to see at all.  I drove out of it, but a steady rain followed me back to Glenwood.  I had just enough time to put Smokey away when the heavy rain hit.  

We've gone from very, very dry, to getting at least some rainfall every other day.  The grass is so green & growing so fast, the mowing continues to be non-stop.  At least I don't have to water! :-) 

(Interesting stats from Omaha.  April through June 6.00 - rain.  July alone - 6.30)

White Cloud Trestle - South~

 I said in May, I'd return to this section of the trail & today I did.  I don't like parking at the Depot.  The grade of the little parking area puts the rear of the Explorer too high for me to lift Smokey onto the rack.  Butch suggested I go to the park just across from Agriland.  It was perfect & easy!

Ready to leave~

I rode around the south end of the pond, out onto the trail & past the Depot.  Past the big bike art installation, I didn't stop for a photo.  It was definitely warmer & muggier than it has been & especially so - since there was very little breeze.

Toward Marsh Rd.~

The first section of the trail is a unrelenting uphill grind.  Once I was past Marsh Road, it's more rolling, but there's one section with heavier rock than I'm used to.  It gave me an appreciation of the riders who ride on the gravel roads.

Tall Bellflower~

I'd seen the above flowers blooming last year & have identified them.  They are such a pretty color & the only thing I've found along the trail blooming this time of year.

Sign in the tree to the right~

The trail was dappled with sunlight the last couple miles to the White Cloud truss bridge.   The signage is getting weather worn, but you can still make out the message. 

Imogene 10 miles~

No doubt about it, at least in my opinion.  It's a tough ride to go from Malvern to Imogene.  Besides today & another ride this May, going out 7-miles, I've traveled it twice one way & once, a round-trip.

Elevation~

The Garmin chart above shows the four rides, the one on the far right, longest & green line is the round trip. It was my first year back on a bike - riding Speedy - May 29th of 2020.  At just under 28-miles - I was so tired coming back - I got off & walked up the last of the big hills.  The two in the middle, I'd made it one way to Imogene & Butch picked me up there.  

I noticed my average speed had dropped after my leg injury, but now, partly thanks to Smokey, it's increasing again.  Even riding just over half-way today, it's a considerable improvement. My goal is to ride all the way to Imogene, sometime before this year is out, but I'll need to find a ride back!  

White Cloud Trestle over the W Nishnabotna River~

This bridge & the view from it, is beautiful.  It was erected in 1910 using 1884 parts.  At 305 ft. total, the main span is 115 ft.  It is a few years older than the Silver Creek Trestle, erected in 1923.  I have to admit, I'm in love with the old bridges & in awe of the engineering & crews that constructed them.

View upstream from the trestle~

The day had warmed & was very still, just an occasional slight breeze to cool me off.  I hadn't seen anyone on the trail.  The town of White Cloud, just a short way beyond the trestle, began as a mill & a ferry operated across the river.  Both White Cloud & Glenwood were started before there were railroads.

Crossing the narrow bridge~

In less you're on foot, this is a one bike at a time crossing.  There's about 6" left on each side of the handlebars.  

I made it to the cattle guard in the photo below & stopped for a break at six miles.  I called Butch & told him Smokey wanted to turn back. :-) I turned the bike around to face north & took a short rest break.

Starting back?

But then, I looked south.  There was one more rise & I really thought I might be close to the area I named Cottonwood Pass on my first ride.  Oh heck - what's another mile or so?  I finished the climb & started down the far side until I heard my Garmin buzz at 7-miles.

The trail continued; I turned back~

There was plenty of trail ahead of me for another day, six to seven miles more to reach Imogene.  Returning to Malvern, I'd have several miles of downhill grade!  Yippee!  It was a blast sailing along making my own breeze.  My t-shirt almost dried out!

Smokey on the White Cloud Trestle~

A coyote ran across the trail at one point.  He was moving fast & so was I.  More clouds had moved in too, giving the day a silvery glow & dropping the temperature a couple degrees.  After the bridge, it was a bit of a grind back to Marsh Road.  Once across, we were back under the canopy of the trees.  I enjoyed a final nice downhill into Malvern.

My route~

Coming into town, I whizzed along on the concrete portion of the trail, back to the park.  A good workout & a really enjoyable ride.  Two back-to-back longer rides did take a toll though!  Now, the hottest days of the summer season are due to arrive.  I'll be glad when they're in my rear-view mirror!

Back on the Trail~

The corn has tasseled!

It has been a busy month.  I worked steadily to get all my yard work done before Jentry & the girls arrived.  With all the much-needed rain we received - the grass grew almost faster than I could keep it mowed.  I had Troy come back twice in one week, to help me keep up with it!

6:08 a.m. Butch warming up Traveler~

It was hard to see Jentry & the girls leave on the afternoon of the 14th...  We hardly had time to walk the woods, when the rain started!  Then, early on the morning on the 15th - Butch too - was back on the road.  The house was suddenly too quiet!

On the trail~

Today, was the day!  I loaded Smokey & drove to Silver City.  I could hardly wait to get going on the trail.  It felt good to be peddling again & watching the rich green of the scenery flow by.  It wasn't long before I started noticing trees down.  The last storm had really done a lot of damage.  The volunteers had been busy for the past few days, with chain saws to get the trail clear.

At the trestle~

As I traveled further south, I was amazed to see so many green leaves all over the trail!  This area must have gotten a lot more wind & rain than we did in Glenwood.  The further toward Malvern, the more the trees had been stripped of their leaves.

The leaves made an interesting pattern on the boards~

I stopped for a short break before continuing on.  It had been two weeks since I'd ridden & I could feel it.  With the temperature in the mid-80's & only moderate humidity, I wanted to take advantage of such a nice day in mid-July.

Broken tree~

The limb ripped from the tree above, gives an idea of how strong the winds must have been.  I hadn't thought our wind at home had been all that bad, until I walked the woods & found the top of one of my favorite trees broken off about 50 ft. above the ground...

7-17-1023 In our woods~

It's firmly hung up in another Walnut & will be difficult to get cut out.  I'm determined to not have any more equipment in the woods.  I'll have to find someone to do it with a ladder.  If it breaks from the trunk & drops, it's in line with my trail signpost. :-(

At the Park - wind~

I rode up to the depot before turning back to the park.  While I was talking to Butch, the wind picked up, blowing from the north.  The ride back, into the wind was a little more difficult than I'd hoped for.  Even with a few stops - I made the ride within a couple minutes of my usual time.

Turkey Tail Feathers~

On my second stop, I spotted a feather almost in the middle of the trail!  As I picked it up, I noticed the second one, just a short distance away.  I didn't realize they were from a wild Turkey until Dessa Montgomery, at Mills County Conservation - identified them for me.  I added them to my growing collection.  

Wright's Visit! Fontenelle Forest~

 Butch hadn't been home for a month.  Tuesday the 11th, he was on his way back from a drop in CO.  It never fails, when he's heading home, there's always something that slows him down.  This time, a trailer he was supposed to pick up, hadn't been loaded.  He had a four-hour wait.  After hooking the trailer, his next dispatch took him to an unload in Madison, NE.  From Madison, on to Air Lite Plastics in Omaha to pick up a load.  From there - Home!  He made it before dark! 

Butch arrives home!  7-11-23 - 8:32 p.m. 

His welcoming committee was waiting!  Daughter Jentry & Granddaughter's Skyla & Josie had arrived about 2 in the afternoon!  After flying from Seattle to Minneapolis, Jentry rented a car & had driven to WI where they visited relatives.  With one overnight stop & a tour of the Crystal Caves - they continued on to Glenwood!

Skyla, Josie & Jentry~

We checked them into their Air B&B on the square, then came home for a game of cards.  We drove up to Council Bluffs for dinner, in the hope Butch would be able to meet us there, but he was still waiting for his load in Omaha.  Even so, considering the miles he & Jentry had driven, the timing wasn't bad!  We were all finally in the same spot - at the same time - together!

Josie with her first Cheese Frenchee!

On Wed. lunch at Don & Millies was on our agenda.  The girls have done a lot of traveling with their mother, but Cheese Frenchee's were a new food experience!  The crispy sandwich passed the granddaughter approval process.

Papa with Skyla & Josie~

Next on the itinerary - Fontenelle Forest!  Another of Butch & my favorite places, we don't visit often enough.  The deciduous forest is such a change from the forests of the pacific northwest.  Today, Skyla & Jentry planned to try the new zip line course.

Tree Rush Adventures operates from within Fontenelle Forest.  They have eight different courses, with increasing levels of difficulty.  Josie wisely decided to watch with us, while her mother & sister geared up to do the courses.  

Just a small part of the courses~

Jentry & Skyla put on climbing harness, were instructed as to how to clip/unclip & use the trolly to zip.  They also watched a safety video.

Skyla is ready~

The courses are color coded;  yellow, green & blue.  The most advanced is the black course, which includes elements 55 feet above the ground!  The girls settled on the most difficult of the three yellow courses.  

Skyla starts up from the platform as Jentry waits her turn~

All the courses began at a centralized platform.  Each plainly marked by a color & most had cute animal names too.  Skyla was soon on her way, making the course look positively easy!  Jentry followed along & said at one point, it wasn't as easy as Skyla made it look!

Skyla~

These courses weren't so much zipping as they were a test of strength, balance & coordination!  Both finished the course in good time.  Skyla was ready to move on to a green course!  

Skyla navigating the green course~

She completed this course, had her gear checked again & next did the blue!  She finished the blue & still wanted to do the black course!  

Climbing!

Just to start the course, she had to climb a free hanging ladder for about 25 ft. up to the highest platform. Talk about some upper body strength!

Skyla on the black course~

I knew she had to be getting tired by now - but away she went!  I'd been following along on the ground - both to try to spot her & take photos!  The forest floor was uneven & I was getting a bit of a workout too.  

On the highest, black course, 55 ft. up!

Skyla worked her way through the first half of the course, then enjoyed the longest zip - of the courses she'd done - to the far side.  At that point - she reached a platform with a line going down to the ground.  She took it!

As she turned in her gear, several of the employees, congratulated her for completing so many courses & finishing up - by completing half of the most difficult!  

We finished the day with a trip to Doozies for ice cream & a drive around Lake Manawa.  Skyla was one sore & tired girl!  :-)

A Perfect July Day ~

 Incredibly amazing weather in the month of July!  After inches of refreshing rain, to have more than just a day is wonderful.  This stretch of mild days, mid-70's, low humidity & light breezes are what summertime dreams are made of!  

Smokey at "Silver Spokes"~

Newly open - Silver Spokes will be an asset to Silver City & the surrounding area.  Smokey wanted his picture taken - then mentioned something about; discriminatory since his spokes are black!  :-)  I ordered chicken wings to take-out for my dinner & they were great!  The inside of the building had a complete makeover & looks fresh & inviting.  With great service & good food - there will be many happy customers to come - I'm sure!

Walnuts~

The Walnuts are totally leafed out now & the greens are so intense against the clear blue skies.  Almost like riding into a different world, from the planted fields all around.  It was so nice to be out in the fresh air, enjoying a day like this - this month!

On the Trestle~

I was moving right along, always appreciative of the quiet.  The birds were out in numbers today, flying back & forth across the trail.  I did find more ripe Mulberries & stopped a couple times to pick & enjoy them.

At the pond~

I didn't ride the short way up to the Depot.  Instead I turned off at the pond & rode around it before taking my break.  I called Butch, who was still on his way west.  I'm hopeful that direction will change shortly!  

Our daughter Jentry & Granddaughter's Skyla & Josie, will be on their way here for a visit next week!  The first time they've made it to Iowa since our move! Now, Butch is being dispatched from Jacko, we have yet to find out  if they can manage the dispatch home!  We're coming up on a month since his last short visit, too long!

Hemerocallis "Mighty Chestnut"

At home, I found my favorite day lily with it's first bloom's of the season!  Purchased at a local hardware store a few years ago, I fell in love with it's color.  From one little plant, I've divided it several times & each new plant is as hearty at the original!  The bloom is huge, the color is striking & it blooms for weeks!

A cutting planted last fall~

Being in partial shade doesn't deter it & the brilliant orange is a highlight, with the old fashioned day lily's I've transplanted up from the marsh & free seeding marigolds.

I'm so excited to see the girls!  Jentry tells me they are both taller than I am now. The last time I saw them, fall of 2020, I still had a very slight advantage.  No longer, I'm sure!

Wild Turkey's ~

 Warm, Hot, Lots of sunshine!  I did want to ride.  Thursday,  we received a very welcome 2" of rain.  Then early Friday morning - another 1.14"  Saturday we'd had light rain most of the day adding another .50 to our total.  I loved the cool, gray, wet day's after weeks of heat.  With a total of 3.5 inches, I was pretty sure the trail would be sticky at the least.  I decided on Lake Manawa again.  There were quite a few cars at the trail head in Council Bluffs.

Looking north~

I rode in from the east & turned north onto the sidewalk/trail.  There was a breeze, which did help, but the humidity was high & it wasn't plesant.  I just decided to keep moving, making my own breeze - all the way to the old campground.  When I stopped there for a drink, I could see Doozie's through the trees at the far end of the open area!

Doozies from the old campground~

As tempting as it was, I didn't ride over.  I learned my lesson a couple years ago.  Riding after a cold ice cream on a hot day, is not something I want to try again...

The water lilies starting to bloom!

I took the above photo from the north end of the lake, looking due south.  You could almost see the humidity in the air.  Riding up the west side, along Indian Creek, I even passed a couple people.  The heat was intense - especially out in the wide open, with no shade.

New campground~

The new campground is getting lots of business, but it's right out in the full sun.  I'm sure most of these RV's are equipped with with AC.  At the least - a big fan to move the air.

As I crossed the road at the south end of the lake - taking the route to the picnic area - I saw something cross the road!  Just as I got to that side, the three turkey's below had crossed the trail & were headed for the shade of the nearby tree!

Enjoying the shade~

I don't blame them!  I wish I'd been faster with my phone.  Their feathers looked so pretty in the sunshine.

Wildflowers in bloom~

I still haven't identified these flowers - but they're sure a beautiful hue of purple!  I was on the last section of trail by the little power plant, when a super sweet smell filled the air!

Milkweed in bloom~

Making milkweed balls with seed & tossing them everywere is a "thing" here in the midwest.  Milkweed can be seen along the sides & in the ditches of almost every road.  Monarch butterfly larva need milkweed as food, so hopefully proliferating this plant will help the Monarch's. 

Blooms~

I was amazed at how wonderfully sweet they smell!  Good enough to eat - for sure!  Similiar to the scent of a Lilac bloom, but sweeter.  I didn't see any Monarch's, but hope I do before the season is over.

I didn't waste any time getting back to the Explorer!  It was 89 when I checked & I don't even want to know how high the humidity was!  It felt great to get in a ride, but I'll hope for a cooler day soon.