Acclimatizing to Warmth~

 I'm going to say it was warm.  Mid-80's again, but not as much humidity as we'll see this summer when the corn starts sweating.  There was a stiff breeze gusting out of the east too.  I loaded Butch's Cannondale Adventure 1 bike onto the rack with Shadow. 

Ahh shade~

When I arrived at Happy Trails, it was a busy place.  A Gravel Series ride was just finishing up & cars were leaving.  I unloaded both bikes & took Butch's into the shop.  Mari Jo is going to help us sell it.  It's such a nice bike & so comfortable to ride. I hope someone will come along to enjoy it.

Mess from the fields~

Some of the farmers whose land adjoins the trail, use the easement as a place deposit the brush & trees they've cleared from the edges of their fields.  It's unsightly but does provide additional habitat for wildlife.

Bridge over the creek~

I expected more weekend riders to be on the trail, but lucky for me, only saw a few.  I can always tell the ones from out of the area, they never say "Hi" or wave an acknowledgement.  After riding a few years now, I know some of the local riders.

Virginia Waterleaf - Hydrophyllaceae virginianum

This season, rather than the Stinging Nettles of last year, the ground around the Trestle is covered with the beautiful Virginia Waterleaf.  Many people consider it a weed & it is hard to pull.  My hillside the woods is partly covered with it & I love the pale lilac-colored flowers.  It has gradually been spreading to the more barren side of the hill

5-13 Waterleaf in our woods, along Timber Trail~

I continued on to Malvern, doing my usual loop around the far side of town near Agriland, before turning back to stop at the pond.  It was a beautiful day to be out.  There were only a few people camping.

Boehner Pond~

I still can't get over the change the rain has made in the pond.  The water is much deeper & clearer than it has been for over a year, probably two.  I sat under the picnic cover; my favorite bench was still in the sun.  I'd started out a little earlier than usual.

Creek & Phlox~

In places, crossing the little creeks, you can hear the water running again.  I looked down to see Phlox growing along the edge of the water.  

Butch had made it home for an overnight stop late afternoon on Mother's Day!  He got out of the truck carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers!  (Both daughters remembered me with gifts too!)  Butch cut the wood dowel rod I'd bought & put it down the stem of my bike.  Then he adjusted the seat height for me.  This was my first ride with the improvement & it made a huge difference.  I didn't have to stop after every bridge to raise the seat!