Dust, Dogs & Frogs~

 I hadn't planned to ride today; I was going to wait until tomorrow & work at home.  Since spring is finally here, my outdoor chores are starting to stack up & I'm glad!  Even so, I knew the trail would be open again.  Doris was able to take Finn, her relatives had left for home.

Driving to the park, there was a line of side dump semi's coming my direction.  They were zooming past the entrance of the little park & the dust was flying.  It was as thick as fog.  I decided not to park in my usual spot & instead drove to the far end of the pond.  

Ready to leave~

It was another of those cool, gray days I like.  The wind was breezy, just enough to keep the dust in the air.  As I rode north toward Silver City, the dust was thick along the trail.  The semis were driving this road too, going to the new housing development.

Heading north~

There was a fine layer of gray dust from the gravel roads on the trees, giving them an eerie gray look.  Soon though, I was far enough away the look became more springlike.  It's so nice to see the first flush of green on the sides of the trail.

On the Trestle~

The sun broke through when I arrived at the trestle.  The birds were singing & it was a beautiful afternoon.  The day was quiet out this far too, which I always appreciate.  I rode on to Silver City & considered stopping at the small park, but several riders with panniers were already there.  

Woody Woodchuck!

I turned back south & hadn't ridden more than a couple miles, when I saw a dark form ahead at the edge of the trail.  I thought I'd seen him my last ride on the 3rd, but he'd been too far away to identify.  Today, zoomed in, he was obviously a Woodchuck.

Hiding :-)

I proceeded slowly down the trail & soon heard a scurrying in the brush.  I stopped again & spotted him partially hidden by a tree.  I know they can be destructive, but I think they are about the cutest thing ever!

Another gray, early spring view~

There's something about the countryside, on an overcast day...  A certain sense of space & distance that's lacking in the usual brilliant sunshine.

I arrived at the trestle & stopped at my usual spot near the north end.  I noticed a woman in a pink jacket at the far end.  She seemed distracted & within a minute, three large dogs appeared from under the trestle.  I ignored the entire thing until the woman yelled, "Which way are you going?"  I responded, "South to Malvern".  Then she said, "I'm walking past you." As she tried to get the largest, a black lab or mix on a leash, the other two, who looked to be German Shepard mixes, started in my direction.  I'd parked my bike tight against the bridge railing.  I stepped through, putting the bike in front of me & the bridge rails at my back.  The large black dog was pulling the woman toward me & she was fighting for control.  All three were growling & snarling.  The two loose dogs came right for me.  One tried to get behind the back wheel to my legs, the other tried to get around the front tire.  As the owner pulled the black dog past, they broke off & followed.

I was so furious I was shaking.  When the woman was about 50 yards away, I shouted her direction that unleashed dogs were not allowed on the trail.  She then said; "I'm going to walk past you again."  I couldn't believe it!  I told her she was Not to move until I was on my bike & out of her sight!

The car & plate~

I couldn't leave fast enough, constantly watching my rearview mirror to see if I was being pursued.  When I was almost to 305th, I saw her car parked off to the side of the trail.  From looking inside, it was obvious the dogs had ridden in it. I left a note on her windshield; informing her I was reporting the incident.   

Once home, I sent a message through Facebook to the Wabash Trace group & included the above photo. I'm thankful Finn wasn't with me.  From now on, I'm carrying my riding stick, whether walking Finn, or riding.  

By the time I returned to the wetland just north of the park, I'd calmed down.  I'd ridden hard the last few miles to work off the adrenalin rush.  The sound of the frogs was so soothing, even with the side dump trucks rumbling toward the housing development.  The dust in the air was just incredible.  It amazes me that people nearby don't complain & demand either water trucks or oil to mitigate the dust.  

Between the dust, construction & loose dogs, I may have to give up my favorite route & move either further north or south on the trail...

Ahead of the Storm~

 Yet, another beautiful day.  Mid-70's & hardly any wind.  With a storm forecast for tomorrow, I almost didn't get in a ride!  When I tried to air the bikes rear tire, couldn't get the valve to take any air?  I checked the front tire, went back to try again on the rear, to find it flat!  I called Mari Jo, who suggested calling Xtreme Wheels in Council Bluffs.  I called & told Tony my problem.  He had time in the early afternoon to fit my bike in.

I loaded the bike & arrived right on time.  Tony diagnosed a faulty valve & replaced it!  I was amazed at how quickly he wheeled my bike out of the backroom shop!  He refused to take any payment.  I promised to recommend him to my friends.  With Shadow back on the Bronco, I made the short drive to Lake Manawa.

Cottonwoods & sunshine~

I have to admit, I'm tired of shades of brown.  There seems to be just the tiniest hint of green showing here & there.  Not enough to cover the browns though - yet!  The Old Farmer's Almac predicts a warmer than normal spring, dryer too.  As if we aren't dry enough?  Over the weekend we had another Red Flag warning.  I'm sure this is unusual for this time of year.  The day before I spent breaking branches to fit in our little fire pit. I managed to get one of the three huge piles along the creek, burned. Last year, I didn't burn at all.  It was either too windy, or too dry. 

Dirt works off E. Lake Manawa & Navajo street~

Semis with side dump trailers are running along E. Lake Manawa drive, from the Navajo street location.  Dirt is being moved; I'm just not sure what direction.  All of this has to be connected to the detention ponds being dug along E. Lake Manawa Drive.  The air was thick with dust & dirt.

Three Engines~

I was stopped at the intersection by the truck traffic.  Once safely across, I continued out to the quieter, east side of the park & turned north toward I-29.  This is quiet, as long as the trains aren't going by on their way to Mid-American!  

Rich Iowa soil, soon to be homes~

This is Phase I of the E. Lake Manawa Subdivision, by Turn the Paige Homes.  Just the beginning of construction on 40 single family residential units.   From what I've read, what remains of the 93 acres will be sold to other developers.  Prospective purchasers will be able to apply for downpayment assistance.  I couldn't find the total number proposed for the entire subdivision.

Eagle's nest~

I was riding the edge of the old campground when I spotted a Bald Eagle in a tree along the road.  I was just trying to get his photo, when a loud diesel truck startled him & he flew off.

Change, as always, is inevitable...  This type of high-density housing near natural areas, is what drove us from WA state.  Affordable housing has been in the news, as the numbers of homeless climb in the Council Bluffs area.  The total number of housing units currently proposed is 500-600.

I enjoy every minute I have riding the less congested trails around the lake.  Soon, I can see park use climb to overflowing.  Especially since it's the only large park within many miles of Council Bluffs.

Bridge at Indian Creek~

As you can see in the above photo, the trees just this last weekend started showing the first blush of green & buds!  The grass too, along the creek is sprouting a hint of green.

My favorite break spot~

I always save my favorite trail to the lake for the last part of the ride.  Without the usual wind blowing & no boats yet on the water, the quiet was so peaceful.  I can imagine what it was like when the surrounding area was more rural.  Or the fun of the lakeside amusement park.  

Tomorrow the storm is coming, but today you would never know!  Thursday is the first day of spring & it's coming in like a Lion!

A Perfect Day~

 A perfect day, one of the finest this year.  If only they could all be this way with an occasional day of mild rain.  With the trail wet again from the last snow, I drove back up to the lake.

Road, trail~

For a midweek day, I wasn't surprised to see a few more people out enjoying the weather than usual.  Butch had been home over the weekend, then flown out yesterday, to Columbus, OH.  He didn't enjoy his day of airline travel & didn't pick up Maverick II until almost 8 p.m. Today, he's back on the road with only a sleeping bag & what he could put in a suitcase.  The hope is that he'll be dispatched back to Nationwide before too long, to pick up his gear from Maverick.  Moving from one semi to another is never fun & always time consuming.

MidAmerican through the trees~

I couldn't let the streak of good weather pass me by, without getting in a ride.  After two weeks of being sidelined by the weather from our Wednesday morning mat making, today we were all happy to be socializing again.  I'd dropped Finn with Doris in the morning & after lunch was on my way.

Train underpass

I rode out the east side of the park, then turned back, before continuing my loop.  A really nice young guy about our Grandson Ben's age gave me a warm "Hi" a big smile & wave as we passed each other.  It made my day.  

Going south, west side of the park~

Two H.S. girls were walking the trail as I passed.  It's such a long stretch; I admired their fortitude.  I crossed the bridge & enjoyed the beautiful south side of the park.  I passed the Bronco heading east & continued on, to my favorite trail to the lake.

Shadow on the trail~

This trail is about a mile, to reach the lake's south shore.  I had my usual break spot to myself. I enjoy it more each time this happens, as each could be the last for the season. 

Clouds moving across the sky~

Cloud cover started moving in from the west, creating a hazy look to the afternoon.  The lake is free of ice for this winter & small waves were lapping the shoreline.  A few birds were out enjoying all the open water.

Shadow patiently waits~

Heading back, the two girls I'd seen on the Indian creek trail were approaching me from the west.  I slowed to ask them how far they'd planned to walk?  They laughed & said they were finishing off six miles! 

I have a H.S. school friend in CO who walked over nine miles the other day.  I continue to be impressed at her accomplishments!  Back just a few years ago, I could easily hike that far & often walked alongside Farah, but no more.  (I had to maintain at least a 3.5 mph pace, or she would push me with her nose!)  Accumulated injuries have sidelined several of my pursuits.  That said, I'm thankful I can balance a bike!  I had no idea originally, how important to my continued enjoyment of the great outdoors, bike riding would become.

Against the Wind~

 After chilly but sunny weekend, Monday too, dawned with stellar blue skies & sunshine.  The temperature climbed close to 60 degrees, before the wind blew in the clouds.  A blizzard is expected tomorrow night with wind gusts up to 50-60 mph & possibly 70 mph.  

Finn & I had walked the Wabash Trace from Boehner Pond on Sunday & noticed the limestone was dry. My plan was to be ahead of the incoming weather & enjoy a ride on the trail for the first time since late last November.

Leaving from the pond~

It was like a switch had flipped, by early afternoon the sky was slate gray, covered in clouds & the wind was even heavier than it had been at home.  I decided I'd ride from the pond, to the trestle & see how it went from there.

Water & still some ice in the creek~

It was just so great to be back out in the countryside!  The air was super fresh & the wind was at my back as I rode North.  As I made my way along the very familiar trail, suddenly I noticed it was brighter than the rest of the tree lined route had been.

So much for trail easement~

Along this section, the easement had been heavily cleared for quite a long section.  The old t-posts below had been pulled out & the plowing had extended at least twenty feet into the easement. There was no sign of the barbed wire.

T-posts from the fence making the trail easement boundary~

If I've noticed one thing about Iowa, it's that farmers do put to use every tiny bit of land they can.  In this instance, it's hard to believe after all the years the trail has been here, the fence was in the wrong place.  Beyond this section, the plowing went back along where it had traditionally been.

Shadow on the trail, from the freshly plowed up easement~

When I walked up the short hill to the field, I could see cut roots, limbs & small stumps sticking up out of the freshly plowed earth. Every windstorm, when trees along the trail come down it's so sad.  During the summer months, it's those trees & the honeysuckle that provide the shade.  It takes forever here, for a tree to grow to decent size.  (Mom was always so amazed, when she visited us in WA, at how fast the trees we'd planted, grew.)

Silver creek on a slate gray day~

As I approached the Trestle, I was apprehensive, checking out all the surrounding trees to see if the game cameras were back.  Even after an extensive search with my binoculars, I couldn't find any.  So, at least for this first ride, privacy was restored to me, the Trestle & trail.  

Progress started last year, with the replacement of the decking & side rails on the two trestle bridges North & South of Malvern.  Both were in need of repairs. Later toward Fall, LED lights ("That can be moderated to minimize impact on wildlife".) were installed on the trestle over Silver Creek.  These lights change color & are meant to be become a trail attraction.  

A November ride last year, I noticed game cameras had been strapped to the trees at each end of the bridge.  When I asked about the cameras, I was told they were to monitor the lights.  (Since game cameras are activated by movement within their range, every rider going across the bridge would be photographed.)  This felt like such a violation of privacy.  Both to the serenity of the trail & the peaceful experience of the trail users.  I responded by mentioning if the bridge was now going to be under surveillance, then a sign noting that, should also be posted.

Last bridge before Silver City~

I was having such a great ride, I continued on to the edge of Silver City.  It's not going to seem the same, with the Happy Trails shop now closed permanently.  From here I turned back & faced South, into the wind!  The wind was really gusting & when a gust combined with an uphill grade I shifted into turbo & 10th gear to maintain 12 mph.  One car came along on the gravel road that parallels a section of trail & the dust was incredible!  It was a reminder of how badly we still need moisture!

Countryside~

This is one of my very favorite views & it only happens in the winter when the fields are down & the trees devoid of leaves.  Slate gray, it was an amazingly beautiful winter day!  Not a hint of green anywhere, yet!  

Entering Boehner Pond Park~

Back at the park, the wind hadn't let up at all.  There was no doubt a storm was brewing somewhere & coming our way.  I was still the only one there & really appreciate the park remaining open this season.  With the storm coming, the trail will be covered in snow again soon.  Riding the trail in March is always uncertain, so I was happy to have enjoyed it at least once so far this month!

Twice in a Week!

This time of year, it's unusual to have enough decent weather to ride more than one day a week.  After the last few weeks, I think everyone feels we're overdue for these warm days.

Shadow on the trail~

I didn't have to convince myself to go out again. With high winds due on Friday, cooler temps on Sat. & a much needed chance of rain next week, I had to take advantage.

Dirt work SE of the Park~

Happily, there were no side dumps moving today.  Work was continuing where the trail turns north.  The choice is to continue on a section considered part of the Wabash, or ride along E. Lake Manawa Drive. 

My route~

I took the trail, along the train tracks toward I-29 as I had on Monday, before turning back into the park.

My tire track from Monday~

As I turned to go around the gate of the old campground, it was impossible to miss the track made by Shadow's tires from my ride on Monday!  I knew I'd sunk in but had no idea the tires had gone so deep!  It was easy to stomp the track down.  Today, I didn't sink in at all with the wind drying things out.

The old campground~

Once I was over on the Indian Creek trail, I took the above photo of the campground on the east side of the creek.  There are still no signs, I hope the future of this property stays as is for a long while yet.

Shadow at the Indian Creek Bridge~

I'd fought wind all the way south on the west side of the park.  Our gusts were up to 20 mph & I was glad for the additional push from the electric motor.

At the south side~

Once I made the turn though, the wind wasn't nearly as strong.  The trees make a great windbreak.  None of the Eastern Red Cedar have berries yet.  There are male & female trees, so I'll have to wait to see what sex the one's we planted in the marsh are.  

Picnic Shelter~

The gates going to the shelter are still closed, I had the bench to myself.  It was a perfect afternoon to reflect on mother nature's beauty.  Sound though, does seem to carry across the lake.  More so in the winter months.  When I mentioned it to my friend Doris, she said since first moving to IA, she had noticed sound seemed to carry farther. I don't know why that would be, but it's an interesting observation.

Swans on the ice~

I was leaving park, when I couldn't help but notice the three snow white forms out on the ice.  I pulled into a small parking area & walked across the road to get the photo.  Such a beautiful scene, I wished for my camera with the zoom.  A perfect end to another beautiful day.

Third Year, OTR~

 Congratulations to my husband on the safe completion of your third year of driving OTR!

Recap~

Three years ago today, Butch received the keys to his first semi-truck. He had completed a month of training for CFI in Joplin, MO, then another month (10,457-miles) driving with a trainer.  He wasn't able to leave town on his first dispatch until the 27th, when the roads reopened.

2-24-2022 - Big Red~

Since that time, Butch has driven seven trucks.  Big Red, Ranger, Blue, Rebel, Traveler, Maverick & Maverick II.  Four Freightliners & two Volvos.  Big Red was the only Kenworth, a T-680.  Big Red's breakdown & lengthy repair precipitated the move to Blake Scott.

6-7-2022 - Ranger

In those three years, Butch has driven for four companies.  CFI, Blake Scott, Jacko & his current employer - Nationwide Transportation.  At Blake Scott, he drove four of those seven trucks.

9-8-2022 - Blue

Butch moved from Ranger to Blue August of 2022.  A newer truck, but with quite a few miles.  After several visits to the shop for repairs, he was given another truck to drive until a replacement could be purchased.  

12-2-2022 - Rebel~

He ended up driving Rebel on two different occasions & loved this truck.  The newest Freightliner he'd driven. He didn't have too long to wait though, when he was called back to Salt Lake City to pick out his next truck!  

2-8-2023 - Traveler with the new Blake Scott Logo~

December 16, 2022, Butch came home with Traveler.  He was driving Traveler when Blake Scott ran into difficulties & leased their last six trucks to Jacko out of Vancouver, WA.  Butch was the only driver Jacko hired, so he made the transition with Traveler.  It wasn't a good match. Butch was driving the west coast again.  He did make the most of it though & had several visits with our daughters & grandkids!  He wasn't getting home & when he did it would take forever for them to dispatch him back out.  Jacko had very little business that wasn't in the west.  Butch had driven Traveler 96,888 when he handed the keys to Jacko October 24th, 2023.   

10-31-2023 Maverick~

Butch had applied at Nationwide during his home time, mid-October.  He was hired & was leaving on his first dispatch the end of the month, driving his first Volvo.  At first, he wasn't sure he liked the truck, but after a while, the roomy interior won him over. 

2-1-2025 Maverick II - days before the breakdown~

January 11, 2025, Butch took the keys of a brand-new Volvo with 21 miles on the odometer.  February 5th, the truck was towed to McMahon Truck Center in Cincinatti, OH, for warranty engine replacement.  The odometer read 7,460 miles.

Returning to Omaha, Butch was given his original Volvo, Maverick to drive until the new truck is repaired.  As of today, Butch has driven this semi 159,798 miles!  The last three years he's driven a total of 377,906 safe miles!  I miss him more every year he's been away & look forward to having him home again one day soon...

First Year OTR 

Second Year ORT

Gorgeous February Day~

 I hadn't been out for a ride since the second of the month.  The last day that was warm enough for me to want to ride.  After that day, we endured a long & bitter cold snap.  We received a few inches of badly needed snow that stayed frozen to the ground.  On the 22nd we reached the mid-30's & the following day, the temperature climbed into the mid-50's.  The snow began to melt off. 

On my way~

Today, the sun was shining & the welcome warmth made headway over the snow.  I decided to make the drive to Lake Manawa & take my chances with the condition of the trails.  I was really surprised to find that for the most part, they were dry!

Mid-American coal plant

I rode out toward I-29 before continuing my loop.  It seemed to be several degrees warmer out in the open.  Side dump trucks were running non-stop along E. Lake Manawa Drive & entering off Veterans Memorial Highway.  The noise was incredible.  At the light my timing was so poor, I had a semi's coming from all three directions.  I waited for the light, made sure all three drivers had seen me & crossed as fast as I could!

Cottonwood & the lake~

It was a relief to reach the gate of the campground & get away from the traffic.  As I went to ride around, I could feel Shadow's tires sink into the soft ground.  It was much softer than I'd expected.  I managed to stay upright & cross through to the paving.

Lake from the South trail~

Riding along the south side of the lake, it's nice to get a partial view through the trees.  Once the leaves open, the view is gone.  I rode past where the Bronco was parked & on to the turnoff going to Picnic spot #7.

Toward the lake~

This trail curves its way through the most natural area left in the park.  There's still a tent camping spot to the left.  Ahead & to the right, is one smaller development of homes with a waterway to the lake.

The view~

I was lucky to be the only one here.  It's my favorite time of year to ride, when there are so few people.  Later in the season, the picnic shelter is available for parties etc. & is almost always a busy place.  I was just happy to out again & able to enjoy every minute of the rapidly lengthening daylight hours.