A Ride with Butch & Finn!

 I expected Butch would pull in this week; he ended up getting dispatched home a couple days earlier than I'd expected!  He'd driven in from Iowa-80 this morning, dropped his trailer at Nationwide & came home.

Butch pulls in!

Finn & I waited on the front porch.  It was just a beautiful day.  After all the heat & humidity of the last week, it was the second day of fine early summer weather.  Finn is always so excited to see the big blue truck pull in, he ran to Butch & the two of them walked around the property enjoying the results of my two days of mowing!  

Walking the Marsh with Finn~

Mason's tree, to the right in the above photo has grown a second set of leaves.  It was leafed out when it arrived, but those leaves were eaten by something...  I sprayed it for bugs & it helped!

Butch asked; "Are we going riding?"  I'd mentioned it but wasn't sure he'd want to after driving across the state.  After lunch, he loaded our bikes & we drove over to Malvern.  It wasn't long until we were on the trail.

On the trail~

It was a cool enough day, Finnigan could ride along.  He was happy to be going with us! :-)

Silver Creek Trestle~

Leaving from the park, we rode north to Silver City & stopped on the trestle for a short break.  Finn likes to get out now & then to do some sniffing around.  Mari Jo keeps Happy Trails freezer stocked with ice cream & that was our goal!

Ready to leave Happy Trails~

The AC in the shop felt good too!  We had our treats & bought a couple items for our bike bags.  Mari Jo always has plenty of useful gadgets in stock.  Finn jumped both out of & back in his trailer!  He does enjoy barking at every person we pass on the trail!

After a short break!

Heading back south, we stopped again for a short break.  Finn actually made this ride sitting instead of standing all the way like he had the first time he rode with us.  He's decided his trailer can be very comfortable.

We made great time heading back & enjoyed our ride!  Finn & I are very happy to have Butch home for almost a week!  The longest time in quite a while.  We've made lots of plans for him! :-)

300,000 Miles!

 June 17th, Butch passed another OTR milestone - 300,000 miles!  He accomplished those miles in 28.5 months from the first time he took the driver's seat February 1, 2022.  Maverick has been his steady ride since November 1st. of last year.  From then, until now, he's driven Maverick 81,231 miles.  It's taken from August 23rd of 2023 to accumulate his third 100,000.  This time, he's only driven two trucks, Traveler & now Maverick.

Butch & Maverick~

I've been keeping record of Butch's drives from the beginning.  I use Google maps & plot his dispatches from when he stops each day or night - as it may be - to the next.  When I realized how close he was getting, I reminded him to watch the odometer.  His GPS had stopped working for a few days earlier this year, then reset itself.  I was so happy he'd been taking photos of the odometers of the semi's both when he took keys & when he surrendered them.  Using Maverick's - we still had an accurate accounting of his miles.

6-17-2024 - 300,000 - Crossing the state line, Ohio to Indiana~

Nationwide Transportation in business since 1982, has been a solid company to drive for.  Based in Omaha, Butch gets more opportunities for overnight stops at home now.  Reminiscent of when he was driving for Blake Scott.  

6-14-2024 - Maverick, Near Pleasanton, KS

His routes now include SD, MI, MN, WI, OH, IL, IN, NE, MO, KS, AR, KY, TN, TX & of course IA.  

He carries the usual wide variety of items - from refrigerated loads of food products to massive rolls of colored paper!

6-13-2024 Colorful Delivery~

Life on the road hasn't become any easier.  Pulling in behind a truck at the fuel island, after quite a wait, Butch walked up to see what was going on, only to find the driver at his mid-day prayers.  Later, he came up on the same truck going 60-mph in a 70-mph zone.  As he passed, he could see the driver paying more attention to his cell phone than the road.  As he gave a short blast of Maverick's 130 decibel horn, the driver jumped in his seat!

6-15-2024 Loves Travel Stop, St. Joseph, MO

Mechanically, besides repairs to Maverick's AC the semi has been very reliable.  The truck also received a new set of tires!  Trailers too are kept in good repair & issue free.

3-8-2034 - The I-80 Slip & Slide through IA~

The weather was, as usual, weather.  Driving the central U.S. is as challenging as anywhere else & Butch witnessed the usual interstate mishaps.  He managed to skirt some of the worst of the storms that rolled through.

Maverick's favorite view~

Home Time happens regularly, usually about every three-weeks.  Butch has been able to get home for holidays & appointments.  Getting back on the road is always quick too, which he appreciates.  Soon, it will be three years since Butch left for Joplin.  

Traffic in the cities, long waits at some warehouses, lines at the fuel islands & the sometimes-impossible task of finding a place to park at the end of a drive are the main challenges.  I'm thankful every evening when the phone rings & I know my husband has stopped & safely completed another day's drive!   

First 100,000~

200,000 miles~

Summer Begins~

 Forecast as the coolest day of the next week - the temperature was 84 degrees; humidity 73% & feels like 92.  Mari Jo had sent me a message asking if I'd ride this week.  I'd spent yesterday working outside, so today was the day. 

Our weather forecast going into the summer months sounds challenging.  With Ragbrai coming the 20th of July, a few more people are using the trail.  It's not a ride I'd have done, even a few years ago.  Held during the hottest & most humid time of year, it doesn't sound at all like fun to me. 

South from Silver City

My poor knee is still giving me fits, after almost three-weeks.  Whether a bone bruise or whatever, I'm still limping.  I found out the first time I stopped; it still didn't want to give me the support I needed to put my foot on the ground.  I slow down, apply both brakes evenly & hold them until I'm off the bike.

Into the Walnut trees~

The trail surface had several soft/damp spots.  I took the track that looked to be firm, but I could feel the rear tire slide a few times. The birds were in full song & a stiff wind helped keep the humidity at bay.  The trees along the trail offer shade, but in exchange hold in the humidity.

Good flow in Silver Creek~

I stopped at the Trestle, it's such a relief to see so much water flowing.  The rains we've received this spring are forecast to continue through much of the summer months.  I wouldn't complain & wouldn't miss moving all the hoses & all the watering.

 Growing on the Malvern Depot Arch~

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. maximowiczii 'Elegans'.  The stunning leaves of this vine are impressive.  I stop under the Arch to make a note of the time it's taken me to reach this spot.  It's interesting to see the difference temperature, wind etc. make in each ride.

Boehner pond~

After my usual circuit of town, I was looking forward to stopping at the pond.  The breeze off the water actually felt cool, even on such a humid day.  Only one RV camping & no one around today.

Shadow & a Mulberry Tree~

On the way back, Shadow decided to stop at this mulberry tree.  I spend quite a while picking & eating all the ripe berries I could reach!  My fingertips were purple before I decided it was time to move on.

Elderberry under the Walnut trees~

Elderberry look so brilliantly white in the shade of the Walnuts.  Soon they'll be covered with berries too.  No wonder the birds are so happy with all the native berries available.

A few miles further down the trail & I saw some type of animal/animals ahead in the center of the trail.  At first, I thought they might be woodchucks, but as I got closer, I recognized a large racoon.  With her, were four kits!  As I rode closer, she hustled the little ones off the trail & into the bushes.  Passing the spot, I watched & sure enough I was being watched by one of kits!  So darn cute!

The trail back~

I can't lie, it's enjoyable to be able to gear Shadow's torque-based PAS.  It makes riding so much easier on my knees & bad leg.  I've been averaging 11-mph on my rides, without pushing & staying at level one eco.  After 18-miles, I was still soaked with sweat by the time I was back to Happy Trails & the Explorer. 

Once home, I had the task of washing all the smashed & splattered mulberries off Shadow.   The battery was down one bar, (out of five) but that's after 35-miles of riding & today's stiff wind gusts.  It was my first time washing the e-bike & I was careful to stay clear of the motor.  I left the bike in the off position when I put it away.   When a cool day does come again, I may take Smokey out, curious if riding an e-bike keeps me fit enough to self-pedal the same distance.  We'll see, I'm pretty spoiled now!

By Springs End ~

 We've had an amazing spring.  I use the word amazing because we've received the rain we've needed so badly for three-years!  The weather was moderate, up & until the tornado's arrived in May.  Iowa has seen 91 tornado's so far this year, with 38 tornado related deaths...

3-19-2024  First full day of spring~

Since this year is a leap year, March 19th marked the vernal equinox for the northern hemisphere.  This is the earliest date for the beginning of Spring since 1896!  Here at home, I was happy to see the first signs of green & the bright yellow of daffodils!

My second generation of Red Germanium's~

The germanium Courtney sent for me last October - from my original plants - had by now started two more!  All three were doing great!  

4-16-2024 Tulips & Violets~

The yellow tulips I planted in the woods a few years ago, are next to bloom, after the daffodils. The bright spots of yellow are so welcome.  The violets too, have emerged & are in bloom.  In the woods, they work well as a ground cover.

5-19-024 First bloom~

The second generation of my red germaniums have become five!  All are growing, starting to bloom & will be spending the summer on the deck. 

5-25-2024 Mason's Redbud to the left~

With the gifted funds from our friends at mat making, we ordered a Redbud tree to celebrate Grandson Mason's life.  It arrived in good shape & thankfully all the rain will help it to establish.

6-1-2024 Behind the Cabin~

The Hosta's above, I planted on this little hill after it was cleared of the rubbish & debris.  Butch had hauled everything away we couldn't burn. In those days, I did a lot of burning with no issues.  I'm thankful I was able to get it done.  Always living in the county, I didn't even think about being located at the edge of town. The trail down to the woods begins here & it's become one of my favorite spots.

6-9-2024

Last year, when I was searching everywhere for anyone who might have starts of the red germanium, I found a nursery who said they'd be receiving a few of the pink variety this spring.  I ordered one & it arrived in May.  The shipping container kept it almost as fresh as if it had just been potted.  

Appleblossom Germanium~ 

Instead of the usual marigolds, I decided to try planting the entire row with Zinnia seeds.  Butch was here to get the dirt loosened for me.  I planted about 12 envelopes of seeds.  About half the Lilliput variety & the other half a medium size of mixed colors.  It seemed to take forever for them to sprout. Now, with all the recent rains, blooms are appearing!  

6-15-2024 - Zinnia's~

Color will be next!  A few volunteer marigolds have sprouted too & I've left them.  I don't quite have the room, before the hill drops off - for two rows.  All the rain has invigorated the bugs though.  I've never seen so many ants & I've had to spray the Zinnia's twice so far. 

Tomorrow, summer will arrive!  We've already had quite a run of heat & humidity, with a warm & humid summer forecast.  At least the rains have revived the landscape.  We've enjoyed some of the nicest spring weather I can remember since we moved here.  Bye spring - Hello summer!

Under the Clouds~

 Butch had come home late the afternoon of the fifth & managed to do his 34-hour reset here!  He had two nights & one entire day at home.  He left on Friday, the weekend loomed large without him.  When I woke to cloud cover on Sat. & cool temperatures, a ride sounded perfect.

Tree canopy~

 On the first, I'd been mowing, decided to toss a long section of hose out of my way & managed to swing the brass fitting on the end right into the side of my right knee!  The pain was no fun & the knee has a good bruise & a egg size swelled spot.  

I left from Silver City & was soon engulfed in green. My theory was that pedaling would probably help my knee feel better.  At least it didn't hurt any worse.  On a Saturday, I expected more people on the trail, but was happy when I had it almost to myself.

Wild Carrot, in bloom behind Shadow~

The wild carrot is taking over along the sides of the trail.  It's huge & in bloom.  It does have a fernlike quality to the leaves & the blooms are pretty, but it can be toxic to some people. (This is the same plant I worked to cut out of Farah's pasture years ago.)

Fields turning green~

The days of high cloud cover are my favorite.  A respite from the bright sunshine & glare that comes with it.  The light green of growing corn has changed the look of the fields from winter's brown.

Silver Creek, lots of silt~

I took it easy today & stopped for a while on the trestle.  With the filtered light, the black decking didn't radiate the heat it had my last visit.  The creek though is still carrying a lot of silt, thanks to the recent rains.

Boehner Pond~

At the pond, it's so nice to see the water level somewhat recovered.  Only a few people were camping.  Besides a couple people fishing, all was quiet.  I tried to call Butch, but there was no answer, which is unusual.  I didn't stay too long before starting back.  The clouds were actually getting heavier, but rain wasn't in the forecast.

Mulberry Season!

I did - stop - several times to pick Mulberries!  They were so big & sweet & good!  For every ripe one that made it to my mouth, others would just fall off the branch.  It's easy to spot where the trees are, on the concrete sections especially.  Even on the limestone, you can't miss their locations.

Shadow on the Trestle~

I stopped again on the Trestle & this time when I called Butch, he answered!  He'd been driving through Chicago & hadn't heard the phone ring.  Thankfully, he was on the far side of the traffic & glad to be through the city. 

Gray Dogwood~

The above blooms caught my eye on the ride back.  I asked for help identifying them on the Iowa Native Plant FB page.  I'd like to find starts for this shrub & try them in our woods.  By the time I was close to Silver City, I could smell rain in the air. 

Back at the Explorer, I'd just finished loading Shadow when the rain started.  I drove through a decent drizzle most of the way home.  As I passed the new Runza in town, there wasn't the usual line at the drive through, so I pulled in.  I bought one for me & one for Doris, who was watching Finnigan.  As I pulled in her driveway, I could see Finn at the storm door.  Doris said she thinks he could hear the Explorer as I got nearer & was waiting for me.  Such a good boy!  

It was one of my favorite rides so far this year.  With summer around the corner & the heat/humidity that comes with it, I doubt I'll be enjoying more days like this for a while!