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...