A Sad End to a Beautiful Day~

 With June's arrival, comes the increase in temperature & humidity.  Today was overcast & humid from the inch of rain we'd received on Wed. & the .08 last night.  The temperature was only in the 70's. I was looking forward to getting in a ride.  The Wabash trail, with the humidity & emerging insects wasn't appealing.  I decided to make the drive to Lake Manawa.  Being Friday, I was surprised to be the only car in my usual parking area.

Ready to ride~

As I left the air-conditioning of the Bronco, the humidity hit.  I'd better continue to prepare myself, because summer is around the corner.  Looking back at the last few years, my best riding months are usually April, May, September & October.  

On the trail~

The shoulder of the trail hadn't been mowed in a while.  The bushes lining the trail in several places were in full bloom & the air was rich with their sweet smell! 

Gray Dogwood, Cornus racemosa

They grow huge too as you can see in the above photo.  After an internet search, I think I've identified them as Gray Dogwood.  

Mandatory Mulberry Stop!

The other native plant dominating some sections of the park, Mulberry!  I couldn't believe the berries were already ripe.  In several areas, my ride was liberally interspersed with multiple stops to consume fresh, rain rinsed Mulberries!

Mulberry~

The old campground was full of both mature & young Mulberry trees, almost all sporting a heavy load of berries.  I wish I had vehicle access to collect them!

Almost to E. Manawa Drive~

Riding down E. Manawa Drive was awful though!  The construction is off in the far distance from where the above photo was taken.  Just past this spot you go from trail to a sidewalk along the road.  The construction side-dump traffic was non-stop.  The dust & dirt was thick in the air.  A street sweeper was operating without success, to contain the dirt left from all the trucks.  As it swept, the cloud of dust rose 50 feet into the air.  I shifted Shadow into Turbo, went up to my highest gear & flew through that area!

View South along Indian Creek trail~

It was a relief as usual, to make the turn south & ride along Indian Creek.  The quiet is palpable after the noise from the truck traffic.  It was nice to see a flow of water in the creek.  My last ride here had been April third. 

On the bridge over Indian Creek~

You can almost see the humidity in the air~ I enjoyed the southern section & passed the Bronco.  A mile further I took my favorite trail out to the lake.  Only one car was in the parking area by Picnic Spot #7.  

Lake Manawa~

The view is never the same & I always enjoy stopping here.  After a call to Butch, I started back.  For whatever reason, the little meadow below looks so remote yet is surrounded by civilization. 

Riding South~

Butch's analog bike had sold; I stopped at Extreme Wheels before heading home. I found crocheted riding gloves for summer. Driving home, I took I-29 south & exited onto Hwy 34 eastbound.  Cresting the hill, I saw a school bus stopped in the left lane.  It was near the bottom of the hill just past the intersection of 195th.  A white car was totally smashed & on its side in the median.  

Approaching the accident, I started flashing my brake lights at the traffic coming over the hill behind me.  The last thing I wanted was to be slammed into from behind.  The two cars in front of me had slowed & stopped.  Debris covered the road.  Within a minute or two, the cars in front of me started winding their way past the bus & through the debris.  I followed.  Behind me, cars in the left lane began merging to the right.  In my rearview mirror I could see the front of the bus was destroyed.  No first responders had yet arrived.  A man had pulled off to the side & was approaching the bus.  Another lady was running across the median toward the car.  

Once home, I checked our Mills Scanner page.  I'd missed the accident by seconds. The highways have become dangerous places.  In this area the speed limit is 55, but the usual speeds are 65 & higher. 

When we first moved here, the traffic was light & accordingly fast.  Now, with nine years of continued growth, the traffic is much heavier, but speeds haven't diminished.  It's rare to see a State Patrol vehicle.  In other states, Butch tells me the State Patrol stations patrol cars all along the busy highways, making a visible presence which slows traffic to the posted speed limits.  

Two lives lost & lifelong emotional trauma for the bus driver & young team.  My condolence's to all involved.

Memorial Day Weekend 2025 ~

 Butch was out over four weeks since his last home time.  With only one overnight stop & one quick lunch in Council Bluffs I was happy to see the big blue truck coming down our street!  As usual when he's homeward bound, there were delays.  First, a day waiting to be loaded, next a big chunk of metal through a tire.  

He'd left the Cumberland Road Rest Area in IL the morning of the 23rd & made his delivery to Smithfield in Olathe, KS at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon. His dispatcher gave him the all clear to deadhead the remainder of the 687-miles.  He dropped the trailer at Nationwide before using Personal Conveyance to arrive home Friday evening after a 11:25 hour drive day.

May 23, 2025 - 7:21 p.m. 

We had reservations in Creston for the weekend & planned to take our bikes.  Butch had ordered a new bike rack & installed it on Sat. morning before we left.  Bikes loaded, we were on the road by mid-morning & stopped in Red Oak for lunch.

The day became overcast the further toward Creston we drove.  We signed into our motel room & were determined to get in a ride at Green Valley State Park.  It drizzled on the drive but had stopped by the time we parked.

May 24th, 2025 - Bronco with the new bike rack & ramp~

Our Lift Caddy was broken when someone backed into the bike rack, so the ramp came in handy. It seemed almost surreal to be together riding our bikes & enjoying such a beautiful spring evening.  It always seems to take such timing & dispatch coordination, to get Butch home on a specific date.

Butch enjoying the ride~

Needless to say, Butch hadn't forgotten how to ride & quickly outdistanced me!  The big hills are so much fun; it feels like flying!  I was so happy to see my husband enjoying himself, away from the constant state of alertness it takes to drive.

Butch & his Cannondale Adventure~

Once we were back on the trail around the lake, the guy above slowed enough I could keep up :-) It was one of my favorite weather evenings with the high clouds, fresh air, green trees & very little wind.

In Creston~

After Butch's years spent on the Red Hook Brewery construction in Woodinville, WA, we've always enjoyed visiting microbreweries when we find them.  An ad on Facebook for Hot Air Brewing in Creston, had caught my attention.  We stopped by after our ride.  Sadly, the little business is for sale & closing.  After four years, the owner's partnership failed & the customer base wasn't enough to support the expense of brewing beer.  We enjoyed sitting by the window & sipping really good beer.

Sunday, we woke to blowing winds & cloudy skies.  After breakfast at the restaurant next to our motel, we drove past Kelly's Flowers & Greenhouse to see an open sign!  This has been one of our favorite little places to visit when we're in town.  The greenhouse is always full of colorful blooming bedding plants, hanging baskets, unique containers & for its size, carries a wonderful variety.  The gift shop is the perfect place to find an unusual gift item, book, or antique planter.

May 25th, Kelly's Greenhouse~

As we pulled into the Greenfield Cemetary, the poles for the full-size memorial flags were in place, but my cousin told me the weather was too unreliable for the flags to fly this Memorial Day.  Finding a place to dry so many flags is impossible if it should rain & rain was in the forecast.  

We replaced the flowers in the vases of my mother, father & brother, then walked the short distance to do the same for my paternal Grandparents & Great Grandmother Vanatta.  My father's entire family are buried here; I walk down memory lane as I visit their monuments.

My Mother, Father & youngest Brother~

We toured town, seeing the new homes already occupied since the tornado of last year is a testament to the resilience of the town's residents.  In some cases, a new home occupied a lot right next to a more historic residence.  We always drive by the home where I lived when I was little & those of my grandparents & school friends.

Rose Hill~

We planted the white peony in 2019.  It was amazing how fast it's grown!  The four emerald green trees my mother had planted on the plot corners died during last summer's drought & were cut down.  We've planted many at the Home Place & now that they're getting large, the hot dry summers are stressing them, too.  I worry they might not be as able to handle the dry weather here as they mature & require more water. 

The old Church~

Every time we visit the Church above, there are changes.  This time, the brush had been cleared away from the building.  I spoke to a person who lives in the area & asked about the possibility of restoration. The rumor is - someone nearby had taken some of the dimensional lumber to use in the construction of a garage.  It's such a shame to see these relics of our past history disintegrate.  

The Farm~

We drove past my grandparents' farm where I spent the carefree summers of my youth.  Grandma would be so happy to see the ditches mowed & the farm looking neat & tidy.  I abhor the wind turbines on adjacent properties that have changed the view forever...

May 25th, McKinley Lake, Creston, IA

We ended the day at McKinley Lake.  I'd read that the lake was to be drained & dredged.  It was still a shock to see such a huge area devoid of water!  It was obvious dredging is badly needed since the lake had filled with so much silt over the years.  Increasing the depth & recreational amenities will be a huge improvement for an already well loved & managed park.

Memorial Day, we drove home disappointed that the weather didn't corporate & allow the flags to fly in Greenfield.  Even so, a visit to so many places, that hold so many memories, always gives me a sense of peace.

2021 ~

2020 ~

2019 ~

2018 ~ 

2017 ~

The End of May ~

Another perfect day!  I vacuumed the Bronco & loaded my bike on the OutfitR bike rack for the first time.  It was easier than I anticipated, but getting the front wheel over the bar at the back of the front wheel basket was trickly.  The rack itself is a breeze to drop into place, much easier than the pin on our old rack that was always hard to pull out.

I drove to Silver City.  The sign was gone from Happy Trails.  The building looked so drab without it.  There were two cars with bike racks there when I arrived.

A farmer at work~

I couldn't wait to get out on the trail.  We've had such beautiful days this month, I'll be sorry to see the heat & humidity start to climb as we approach the summer months.  When I heard the tractor & saw the spray, I hurried to get upwind.  

The trail~

Riding the trail is like being enveloped in a sea of green!  With an occasional cloud blocking the sun & the light filtering through the leaves, it was perfection. There were a few sections where there was a scattering of green leaf litter on the trail surface & the Walnuts are dropping their flowers.  

Huge old Mulberry~

I was so sorry to see the huge mulberry tree had been uprooted.  We'd had a lot of wind, but it would have taken a big gust to take down a tree this size.  

Just a mile or so further I recognized a rider coming my direction.  Mari Jo!  It had been forever since we'd seen each other.  We stopped & must have spent over half an hour catching up.  Mari Jo had exciting news, the Happy Trails building has sold.  She & Hobie have a new RV & plan to do some traveling.  We're hoping to ride together soon.  

On the Trestle~

I continued on & stopped for a few minutes on the Trestle.  I'd left Finn at home & even though I was sure he was taking a nap, I planned to return about my usual time.

Silver creek was running smooth & quiet ~

This route is so familiar to me, I enjoy every mile.  There was one RV camping at the pond.  The mowing was just finished & the area is always such a pleasant place to stop.  I took my break & called Butch.  It's hard to make the change from having him home, to having him gone, even after over three years.

Boehner Pond~

There are those days when Iowa has such a feeling of deep richness.  I wasn't far north of the pond when a spot of bright white drew my attention!  There were just a few blooms, I didn't remember seeing this flower before.   

Canada Anemone ~

At home, I looked up images & identified it as Canada Anemone.  I would love to find seeds & try starting them at home.

My favorite winter view in the late spring~

One of the top ten days of this year, we had several this month.  The texture of the growing crop of soy looks like a shag carpet.

Last blooms of the Phlox~

The clouds looked a little like rain as I made the trip back, but I only felt one sprinkle.  We're hopeful for the forecast rain in the next few days.  We're at least 3" below normal for the year.

Traveling north~

About two miles out of town, I stopped again to admire the wide-open fields. I know I couldn't live anywhere that wasn't green, at least part of the year.

Iowa view~

Back in town, I loaded Shadow & headed home.  When I unlocked the front door, my guard dog started barking ferociously!  I told him what a great job he had done, sleeping in my chair.  The one he's not supposed to be in, while I was gone :-)

Lush Greens~

 It had been almost two weeks since I'd ridden!  Too long, but with the high winds & spring to-do list at home, the days flew by.  I'm behind on my mileage, but ahead on my yardwork.  I've been gifted more plants this month & working on the area along the woods.  Today though, it was just too perfect to ignore & I was ready for a ride.

Fields turning green~

Yesterday afternoon, Butch was late leaving IA on his way to Greenfield, IN.  The timing was fortuitous.  As we were talking, I was looking ahead of him on Google maps & saw three crash icons.  Just a few miles ahead on I-74 was a huge pile up caused by blowing dust.  The interstate was closed both directions & all traffic routed to a parallel highway for several miles. It was just before midnight when he arrived at his delivery.  Both of us thankful he'd made it safely.

The Walnuts are leafing out!

Always the last of the trees to open their leaves & the first to lose them, I look forward to seeing the canopy close over the trail.  Our front yard too, benefits from all the shade the Walnut provides.  

Silver Creek, from the Trestle

All was quiet on the trestle, the level of the water in the creek has dropped since my last visit in mid-April.  I admit I'm not riding this section of trail as often as I used to, but it's still one of my favorites.

Boehner Pond~

At the pond, a family of geese had just gone to shore.  They were so cute, with five goslings swimming between their parents.  The ponds water level is still much better than it was all last summer & into fall.  As dry as we are this spring, I can only hope the forecast rain for this coming week materializes.

I called Butch before turning back toward Silver City.  He was in Cincinatti, still waiting for a trailer to be loaded & watching his drive clock tick down.  Waiting to be loaded or unloaded is never a driver's favorite way to pass the time & Butch has done a lot of it these past couple weeks.  He's stayed out longer than usual, so we can have a couple extra days over Memorial Day Weekend.  At least he had one night home & we did catch a lunch!

Heading back north~

The fields are so beautiful when the fresh crops are starting to break ground.  Crops here have been planted for a few weeks now.  Even so, when I met Butch for lunch on Thursday in Council Bluffs, the dust was so thick near the Mid-American Plant on I-29 traffic was slowing. 

Reed Canary Grass~

It's the time of year horses love in Iowa.  All the green grass & not quite time yet for the biting bugs.  I've only used spray once, but I know that will change when things warm up again.  We broke records earlier in the month for days' at or close to 90 degrees.  Thankfully that changed & we cooled down to more seasonable temperatures.  Yesterday, we only reached the low 60's with cloud cover & winds gusting to 55 mph., just no moisture to accompany the clouds. 

Everywhere Butch has been east of us & south, has been wet & he's driven in rain. If he could just figure out a way to bring some back this way with him!  I've been watering almost every day.  The trees we've planted are large enough now; the drought is affecting them.  Moles undermining the root systems doesn't help.  I've been soaking the roots & added garden soil around the trunks.  Fingers crossed they survive.

400,000 Miles~

 By mid-April, Butch passed his next milestone of 400,000 OTR miles!  182,950 of those miles with Nationwide since he started driving for them November 1, 2023. 100,000 miles since June of last year.  Of those miles, 82,252 with his original Nationwide truck, Maverick & 19,462 with his new truck Maverick II as of April 12th.  He managed these miles since February first of 2022.

Maverick, 7-15-2024

This last 1000,000 miles were all driven in the Midwest after having reached 300,000 miles in June 17th of  2024.  After making a delivery, an often-used return route, was via a paper pickup at Pixelle Specialty Solutions.  Sadly, the Chillicothe, OH plant is closing. This dispatch gets my award as the most colorful!

6-13-24 A delivery of paper from Pixelle~

There never seems to be a lack of beautiful views driving in the Midwest~

7-13-24 Near Palmyra, MO~

July, Butch had lots of dispatches delivering paper, pallets & more paper.  He almost had a dedicated run between either Omaha, Sioux Falls, KS & Ohio.  He visited the Route 66 Welcome Center in Niangua, MO!

7-29-24 Route 66!

When Butch returned for home time in August, Driver Appreciation items were waiting for him at the office.  

8-20-24 Butch picked up his gifts~

On the 7th we left for our road trip to WA state.  A busman's holiday for Butch.  Sadly, the circumstances were for our Grandson Mason's Celebration of Life.  Seeing our girls & their families was very special to us.  We enjoyed time to talk after so many months mostly spent apart & took some interesting side trips.  I always love seeing the country.

9-4-24 View of Kansas City ~

Back on the road again, Butch kept busy.  The above photo is one of my favorites.

10-25-24 Sugar Creek Packing, Cambridge City, IN

During the course of the year, he made several trips to Sugar Creek Packing.  The size of these warehouses reminds me of small cities.  Some allow overnight parking for the drivers, others don't.  The truck stops anywhere near the bigger facilities are always jam packed, making it difficult to find a place to spend a night if you arrive early or have a middle of the night delivery time.

11-17-24 Love's, St. Paul, IN

Seeing the beautiful sunrises & sunsets are a part of the job that never gets tiring.  Butch used to park the school bus out on one of our big hills to admire the sunrise, if he was running ahead of schedule.

12-3-24 On the way to Hudson, MN

December wouldn't be December without snow.  Lots of snow.

1-14-2025 Rest Area, West Salem, OH

With the truck stops usually so full, Butch likes the rest area's when they're available.  They have places for walks & some have interesting exhibits.  Even there, almost all are completely full early in the evening.

1-17-25 Maverick II

In January, Butch changed over to a new Volvo.  Since this truck is almost a dead ringer for the truck he'd been driving, we decided to keep the name Maverick & just add the II.  The only visible difference is the truck number & the fairings. 

2-17-25 Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO

Sadly, Maverick II had engine problems after only just over 7,000 miles.  The truck spent a few weeks waiting on a new engine.  In the meantime, Butch had caught a ride home with another driver & returned to driving his original truck, Maverick.

3-2-25 On the scale, Crete, NE

In answer the question, how much does a loaded truck & trailer weight?  Here's DOT's answer!  Butch always checks his load weight over a scale.

3-3-25 Lizton Rest Area, IN

Maverick's last dispatch for the second time, was a return visit to the Caves.  It was Butch's first time here since he started driving for Nationwide.  It was also his first time driving in at night.

3-6-25 A trip to the Caves~

This is one trip I wouldn't mind taking, just to experience the underground caverns in a semi!  Otherwise, feeling the momentum of all that weight in the trailer while riding in the cab is not something I enjoy at all.  The trip to Buena Vista was enough of that for me!

3-11-25 Maverick II was back on the road~

By March, Butch had flown out to OH & picked up Maverick II from the shop.  The truck was again ready to get on the road.  

3-3-25 Butch receives his first Award from Nationwide~

Butch's award, in recognition of his first year of safe driving with Nationwide.  He will have completed his second year with this company November 1st of 2025.  It's been so handy to have him based close to home.  In March I think he had at least four nights where he slept in his own bed, not counting his home time.  That doesn't happen often enough.  Finn has figured out when I start cooking, Dad is coming home!  He's shared with Butch that meals are pretty lean when he's gone!  

300,000 miles~

200,000 miles~

100,000 miles~