Back on the Wabash~

 Another beautiful sunshine day in November.  Believe it or not, I'm still mowing the front yard!  At least with all the rain, I'm able to pull weeds & have spent a lot of time pulling & digging them up.  It's unreal how quickly they took over with my getting hurt & then our trip to WA in Aug. 

Soy crop is harvested!

Today, since the wind wasn't too bad & there had been a couple days for the trail surface to dry out, I decided to return to the Wabash at Silver City.  It seemed strange to have most of the leaves on the ground & golds of fall almost totally gone.

Still some color!

At least through the middle of the month, there are still spots of color & it's usually more of the oranges rather than gold.  The air was so fresh & the surface of the trail perfect!  Just a couple spots in the shade where it was soft.  I could also see the track of one rider, who'd ridden when it was too soft & gouged furrows.

The Beavers have been busy!

This year's beaver dam is the most symmetrical & beautiful they've built in the years I've been watching.  I'd still like to see Mr. or Mrs. beaver but no luck today.

Upstream, Silver Creek - Train cars on the eastern bank~

This week, I learned the true story of the train cars along the bank.  When I'd asked locally, originally, I'd been told it was to reduce erosion along the shore.  This week, a Facebook post promoting a Glow Ride, to celebrate the renovation of the trestle this past summer drew my attention.  I was concerned that now the rustic beauty of the trestle would be marred by all the lights hanging from the structure.  It was a pleasant surprise to see they were gone!  The visit to the Wabash Trace Facebook page led me to another page: Train Wreck Bridge.  

Historic Photo~

There, I found the true story of how the train cars ended up along the creek.  February 13, 1872, train had derailed carrying dozens of orphaned children on their way to a nearby orphanage.  Reading this - gave me pause.  From my first visit to the trestle, I felt it was a special place.  On certain days, especially late in the afternoon, the quiet is palatable.   This visit, I stopped to say a prayer for so many young lives lost so tragically...  I will never cross again without thinking of them.  The addition of a memorial informational marker & photo would be in keeping with the historic significance of the trestle history & lives lost ~  

Brilliant Color!

Before the underpass at Hwy 34 I saw this absolutely gorgeous small tree or shrub.  I'm on a mission now to find out what it is & find one for the woods.  

Boehner Pond~

I hadn't ridden this section of trail since September 24th, a long while since it's usually my go to ride.  This season though, I did my best to avoid both the awful dust & bugs by riding elsewhere.  I stayed to enjoy the perfect day, before turning back toward Silver City.

Wide-open views~

Our views have opened up again, the fields have been harvested & it's amazing to see how green things still are.

Shadow, heading back~

The local weather forecasters tell us that we've gone from breaking all-time records for lack of rain & heat for both September & October, to the rainiest November in history!  Personally - I'll take the rain, fresh air & mowing!

(I'm going to research my idea for a commemorative/memorial marker.)