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.