Arnold's Park ~

 After getting home late in the day on our anniversary, (a day earlier than we'd expected!) Butch still had to make a delivery in Omaha Thursday morning.  We had reservations at Okoboji for Friday.  I thought it would be better to drive up today & enjoy an extra full day tomorrow.  Past the end of the season, our room was available.  While Butch was gone, I packed us up & by the time he was home, we were ready to leave.  

Lights of the Promenade~

We dropped Finn off with Doris & were on the road.  It didn't seem like a long drive; we stopped to eat at the China 1 Buffet, just south of Spencer.  The outside of the building didn't put us off, we were hungry!  Inside was neat, clean & the buffet was excellent.  

We arrived at the Vintage Block Inn & Suites in Okoboji about 6:30 p.m.  The motel reminded us of something from the Motel Rescue on Discovery Plus.  Who knows when it was built, but the current owners have made many improvements.  Our room was cute, with plenty of room for the bikes & had the bonus of being within walking distance of local bike trails.

Arches lighting the path~

After checking in, we drove to Arnold's Park.  The new arches over the lit pathway were beautiful in the gathering darkness.  The restoration of this area was started the first year we visited, 2017.  The pathway was new since our visit last year.  The lights cycled through a change of color every minute or two.

Covered Pavillion~

The path directed us toward the waterfront.  All the improvements have made a huge difference in the area.  On our visit & late afternoon walk last year, we'd wondered what was being constructed in the area below.

State Pier~

The sails were a beautiful addition & I'm sure they can be seen from quite a distance out on the lake.  It was as nice a fall evening as we could have asked for.  Just a light breeze off the water & amazingly quiet for being so close to town.  

Our little motel~

Returning to our motel, the little Block Party retro pub was open.  A few people were sitting out enjoying the warm evening & view of the lake. I borrowed the photo below from the web site.  It looked inviting, we walked over to check it out.

Outside seating~

We ordered drinks, Butch tried a new to him brew.  We found a quite table toward the back. The owner came by to welcome us.  We discussed the weather; the entire state & I think the whole of the Midwest is as dry as it's ever been.  Sitting out in the fresh air, on such a beautiful fall evening, it was the perfect place to unwind.

Fall Beauty & Dust~

 Today was, or could have been a ten day, if we'd had any moisture.  Temperatures in the 60's & a light breeze.  With two nights in a row of 38 for a low, the leaves are turning.  Far from over my allergies, I still wanted to ride.

North from Silver City~

I put in a call to Mari Jo.  She said the dust was awful & the biting bugs were a little better.  Thinking of where I could avoid the most dust, I decided to ride north from Silver City to the Lookout.  The first mile of concrete is where we walk the dogs in the winter months.  

Grade B road~

This section has some of the most beautiful views.  Above is the road Farah & I used to reach the trails.  It always makes me sad when I think of the fun we had galloping along it.  The uphill grades are much easier when I can shift Shadow's motor on.

Private pond~

Just beyond the covered bench rest area, there was a narrow break in the shrubbery along the trail.  I walked in a few feet to get the above photo.  The pond was almost impossible to see before the corn was harvested.

Curtain of oranges~

Just a short way past the pond is the crest of the climb between Silver City & Mineola.  From there on, two miles of downhill to the Mineola trailhead.  Only one car there, I didn't stop until I reached the bridge over Keg Creek.

Keg Creek~

I took a long drink, put a cough drop in my mouth & continued.  My goal was what I call the "Lookout" about 3-miles south of Council Bluffs.  Many of the trees were turning & without as many field & road crossings, the air was almost fresh.

Applewood~

This road though, stopped me in my track, literally. There's a rise up to the road, I could see there was fresh gravel.  It wasn't until Shadows tires grabbed, I realized how much gravel & how thick it was.  It was sheer luck I didn't lose control.

Margaritaville~

Another climb to Margaritaville.  No one there, such a nice quite day on the trail, I was glad I'd decided on this section.  I passed Dumfries & got through the underpass where mud had stopped me my last visit.  There had been a section of the hill badly washed out on the far side of the underpass.  Large rock had been added to the hillside.  Hopefully enough to keep it from happening again.

The Lookout~

The Lookout covered bench comes up quickly.  I pulled off & took my break.  I'd covered 8:68-miles in an hour flat.  Just a little farther than it is from Silver City to the Arch in Malvern.  The two good climbs take longer though.  When I rode Smokey, it was much harder ride.

Heading back south~

I enjoyed the almost absolute quiet of the afternoon.  Just the sound of a jet somewhere far away to break the stillness.

View across at Mineola~

This is called the "Old Goat" area & has seen many improvements, as has most of this section of trail.  It's used for the Thursday night Taco Rides from Council Bluffs to Tobey Jacks in Mineola.  Definitely a party ride.

For me, enjoying the downhill glides are second only to the views of the countryside.  Less than two miles farther & I was back at Mineola with four miles to go to reach the Explorer parked by Happy Trails in Silver City.  

New picnic area at the Mineola Trailhead~

All the new tables, firepits etc. have been added improvements over the past year or so.  Riders coming south from Council Bluffs use this section of trail.  It can be a busy place weekends, or when special events are held. 

One more uphill, then one more downhill & I was back at the Explorer.  My total ride time was 1:46 for the 17.34 miles.  (I turn the Garmin off for my mid-way break, but otherwise have started leaving it on when I stop for photos etc.)  As I dismounted & looked at Shadow, I realized how covered with limestone dust I was!

A dusty bike~

Back in Glenwood, the car wash was my next stop.  The Explorer is covered with a layer of dust constantly from the sewer construction.  Our neighborhood has gone from the green of beautiful lawns to a dust bowl of dirt.  I had a bad coughing spell at the car wash & another when I got home.  The trail dust on top of the dust here was more than I should have taken on.  

I can only go out at home, once the work in the street stops for the day.  Thankfully, they have kept one street closed to through traffic, so the dust from cars is minimal.  I wear my mask when I go out to water.  No fun for me!  Even so, I sure enjoyed a beautiful ride! The weather forecaster is saying we're on track to break the record for the driest September & October on record.

First Ride of October~

 I have been so terribly sick for nine days now.  It started the morning after Butch spent a night at home on the 25th.  I woke without my voice & my throat raw.  I hadn't been sick in years & worried it was a cold.  I called Butch the following day.  He had no symptoms.  I called my friend Doris, who thankfully also had no symptoms.  She mentioned allergies.  I'd never had allergies either, at least not to this extent!  

Explorer & Shadow~

No sleep, constant cough, wheezing, etc., I was miserable enough to call the Dr. on Monday & went in for an appointment that afternoon.  Of course, they thought I had Covid.  Instead, I was diagnosed with allergies.  I didn't have a fever etc.  Doris had been right. 

Directly in front of our house~

The sewer project had moved onto Coolidge a week before & was working full blast in front of our house on the 20th.  Piles & piles of dirt & constant construction traffic right outside my front door.  When the wind blows, we have dustornado's!  Our new windows can't even keep the fine, fine layers of dust out.  Outside, the dust would poof up when I walked onto the porch.  

Hum...  I wonder what was causing all my distress.  The Dr. prescribed an allergy pill & cough medicine.  Even with that, I'm up & down all night every night.  I requested a water truck many times to no avail.  I wrote letters to each member of city council & not one responded.  I wear a mask when I go out to water.  As far as I've been able to ascertain, the end is nowhere in sight.

Spectacular afternoon~

As of today, I've been breathing in the constant dust for over two-weeks.  We haven't had any rain since early September.  The drugs are finally helping, so even though I had a coughing fit in the new local grocery, embarrassing myself yesterday, I decided I was going to try to ride.  I'm just plain sick of being hostage in my own home.

Coming to E. Manawa Drive~

The air up at the Lake was cleaner for sure!  I had one coughing fit on the drive up, one on the trail, where the park was doing road repairs (dust in the air) & one on the drive home.  I consider that an improvement, since I usually get one an hour.

In the old campground~

I stopped to recover in the old campground, it was so beautiful there & the leaves are starting to turn.  A lady walked by & asked if I was ok.  I managed to convince her I was.  I keep cough drops in every pocket.

Bridge over Indian Creek~

It was so good to be out again!  I didn't want to ride the Wabash, due to the farmers harvesting.  Without any rain for so long, the dust is even worse than it was last year this time.  The Pirate bugs too, are horrid.  (They had been the culprits taking hunks out of me my last ride there.)  I think they've been in the fields & now that the fields are coming down, they're taking refuge along the trail.

Virginia Creeper~

Even with most of the trees only showing the slightest signs of gold/yellow, the Virginia Creeper above had me hitting the brakes!  It was on my way to Picnic spot #7, which I had to myself.  It was warm enough I sat under the picnic cover in the shade to breath in the moist air coming off the lake.

Shadow, Lake Manawa~

My favorite part of the entire ride, I enjoyed it so much.  I put in a call to Butch, reminding him that a week from today we will be away from all of this for a few days!

Virginia Creeper on a huge Cottonwood~

I hope getting away for a couple days will allow me to breathe again, my throat to heal & voice to return.  If that happens, then I revert to the misery I've been suffering through when we get home...  Daughter Jentry has offered me a spot; I may have to accept...