Storm Clouds & Wildflowers~

 The forecast for the day was a little iffy.  I enjoyed our mat making group in the morning, then dropped Finn off with Doris.  The afternoon was supposed to be fine but with a chance of thunderstorms moving in later in the evening.

On my way south from Malvern~

I took my husband's advice & decided to leave & ride south again from the park.  The park was empty, as was the trail as I left town.  My goal was to ride a full ten miles out, before turning back.  Imogene, the next town on the trail is fourteen miles.  To do the ride round-trip, I'd have to start much earlier in the afternoon.

From the White Cloud Trestle~

It was another of my favorite type of days.  I've been appreciating air so fresh from our two recent rains.  The clouds looked like they were going to produce more, but I was counting on the weather report to complete my ride.

Shadow & Phlox divaricata 

The further I rode, the more beautiful it was.  Seeing the first of the blue/purple woodland Phlox made my day.  It doesn't take much color to excite me :-)

Blue Woodland Phlox~

Such delicate blooms amid a state of such heavy cultivation reminds me of the resilience of nature.  I have the shrub below blooming now on the hill in our woods.  Over the years it's started to spread.  I appreciate any shrub that thrives under the canopy of the trees.  I was excited to find a few little starts in a couple spots this year.  I've been trying to find it in my plant books without success so far.

Another sweet-smelling shrub~

About to the far end of my ride, I spotted another area with just a few Dutchman's Breeches.  It's like finding the treasure in a treasure hunt when I see them!

Dutchman's Breeches~

The bridges in so many places are in need of repair.  The hole below was a big one & getting bigger with the runoff from the recent rain.  This section looked like the area had received more rain than further north.  There were branches & small limbs everywhere, along with runoff channels cut in the limestone.

Hole opening on the bridge approach~

The rest of the bridge seemed perfectly fine, but I'm always hesitant when I can't see the deck boards on a bridge.  I know the volunteers drive trucks on the trail.  I always feel like if the bridge can support a truck, it's safe to ride over.

South toward Imogene~

As I turned back & started north, the clouds darkened.  The fields are being planted but have yet to start turning green.  The terraces give some definition to the landscape.

4:11 p.m. Looking west~

By the next road crossing, the dark cloud to the east was impossible to miss!  The temperature had dropped, but the day was incredibly humid for so early in the season.  

West from the White Cloud Trestle~

At the Trestle, I didn't stop long & felt the first tiny bit of drizzle.  I still had almost four miles to go to return to the Bronco.  I was hoping to make it before I got drenched!

Back at the Pond~

The Bronco was still the only vehicle at the park.  The incoming clouds were darker yet & the sky had an ominous look to it.  I could smell the negative ions in the air.

The first sprinkle of rain~

I loaded Shadow as fast as I could.  I'd just finished when the rain started.  By the time I was out on Hwy 34, it hit hard!  The wipers could hardly keep up with the downpour.  When I arrived in town, the wind was blowing all the blossoms off Doris's tree.  The grass was covered with the white pedals.  I picked up Finn, drove home & unloaded the bike in the rain.  My windbreaker is not waterproof.  It's been almost never here in IA; I've needed a waterproof jacket!  I can only think of one ride where I got really wet.  

I wiped the bike down & left the battery in the Bronco.  With the thunder & lightening I didn't think carrying a big battery to the cabin when I was soaking wet was the brightest idea!  :-)

Silver City to Boehner Pond~

 Another perfect day in a string of beautiful spring days.  I was anxious to get out on the trail & see if the Dutchmen's Breeches were blooming in the same spot I'd found them last year.  Starting out & seeing the first flush of green in the trees was a great welcome.  The shoulders of the trail too, are turning green & the grass is growing!

Shadow on the trail~

The surface was rock hard; the little rain we've had hasn't softened it at all.  In the photo above you can see the dust in the air ahead, from a car passing on the nearby gravel road.  

Silver Creek~

I stopped a few times just to soak in the day & enjoy the sound of the birds singing in the trees.  All was quiet at the Trestle. The level of Silver Creek has gone down, with only one decent rain in forever.  At least the bottom isn't showing as it had been late this summer.  I appreciated having it to myself.

Dutchman's Breeches~

Success!  As I reached the area where I'd found the flowers last April, I really had to look to find some this year.  The clump above was the largest.  There were only a few, maybe less than 30% of the blooms that had covered the hillside.  I can only guess the dry month may have something to do with it, or possibly they bloom profusely in cycles.  These were almost past their prime, but still beautiful & so unique looking!

Almost to Malvern~

Reaching the concrete riding south toward Malvern, I could smell the blooming trees before I reached to them!  They look like a cherry bloom, but I'm not sure exactly what variety they are. They almost glowed with the bright white against the blue sky & fresh green grass.  I didn't go all the way to the Depot in town but turned off to the pond.

My break spot~

This is where I was sitting, when I was suddenly knocked over from behind!  I had been straddling the bench seat, eating my trail mix. Heart pounding, as I jumped to my feet, a second dog came around the side & tried to grab my bag of snack mix.  I yelled at the dogs & as I lifted my gaze - saw a man, on the sidewalk, walking up from my right & toward me from behind, calling the dogs.  They were Australian Cattle Dogs, one red & one blue.  Both overweight & dragging orange lengths of rope, as unused leashes.  The dogs totally ignored the man, decided I wasn't going to share & continued on their way, oblivious to the yells of their owner. 

I can't even express how totally furious I was.  The man kept repeating "Sorry, so sorry."  He was sorry alright, sorry for letting his dogs run in a public park.  This was now my fourth encounter with loose dogs this month.  

Fields in the process~

I got on my bike & left as fast as I could.  I rode about a mile before stopping at the spot above to call Butch.  He told me I should just stop riding this section of trail.  It's one of my favorites.  I was not carrying my stick but wouldn't have had it handy anyway, sitting there snacking.

The north end of the Silver Creek Trestle~

As far as I can see, the game cameras have not made another appearance in the trees.  Soon, the leaves will open & we'll have the shade I appreciate so much on the hot summer days.

I made good time getting back to the Bronco in Silver City.  Only one other vehicle was at the parking area.  The Happy Trails sign, still on the building, seems so sad now the business is closed.  I know many riders were hoping another bike shop would open, but so far, the old shop sits unused.  It doesn't seem the same without Mari Jo there to chat, when I've returned...

North from Mineola to Council Bluffs~

 Another welcome break from the winds.  April, one of our most beautiful months has, again this year seen days & days of hard blowing wind.  It makes it pretty miserable to work outside, as I've found out.  It doesn't help when what had been our neighborhood's green lawns are still dirt from last year's private sewer project.  The wind picks up the dirt, the dirt swirls in the air & blasts everything in its path.  If I even consider using the hose to wash things off, the dirt flows.  A clean porch or deck is a thing of the past.  Even the siding on the house has turned from white to gray.

The trail too is very dusty & dry.  We're classified as in a moderate drought.  The most rain we've received in months is less than half an inch. 

Over Keg Creek~

I hadn't ridden this direction for a while but planned on going all the way to the north end of the trail at Council Bluffs. I always look forward to both the exercise & seeing the changes in the landscape each visit brings.  

Grading at Margaritaville~ 

When I came to Margaritaville, the change was evident!  The area had been reworked & graded, increasing the size & scope of the popular bike spot.  More picnic tables, more bike racks & more barbecue's. 

View from the bench at Margaritaville~

Tracks from the equipment were evident.  When the breeze picked up, even here the dust made mini dust devils.  The old hitching post acted as a backdrop for the trash receptacles.  No room to tie a horse, there hasn't been since the days I rode Farah.

A favorite territorial view~

Further on, it's easy to forget the use this section of trail sees.  Looking out over the rapidly greening countryside, you can almost forget that most of it will soon be planted with crops.  

The low underpass~

This underpass is so weird, with one side lower than the other.  The sunlight at the far end makes an interesting optical illusion.  I still can't believe I rode Farah through it, with my helmet touching the ceiling.

Patio at Tastee Treat!

I had an ulterior motive today!  I stopped at Tastee Treat & ordered the barbeque pulled chicken dinner to go!  While I waited, I decided a small bowl of ice cream would hit the spot!  I'd even remembered to bring bungee cords to attach my dinner to the rear rack.

New "Attraction" on the trail~

I'd passed this spot on my way north, but there had been several boys enjoying the chair.  It was empty when I was going back.  The trail had a contest to name the chair, but I haven't heard the outcome.

Blooms!

So many of the trees are in full bloom now!  The smell is just incredible!  After what seems like such long winter months to me, seeing green & flowers is wonderful!  After over eight years, I still miss the year-round greens of the Pacific NW.

View toward Mineola~

Going back is always fun with the long downhill grades.  The view across the fields to town in the distance is post card perfect, especially on such a clear day.

Bronco at the Mineola Trail head~

The Bronco was the only car at the Mineola trail head when I returned.  The new campground will see plenty of use I'm sure as the summer months arrive.  The intent is to promote trail tourism & the plan is to eventually add restrooms, showers & electricity in the future.

My route today, 20-mile RT~

The Google Earth photo above, shows my ride today & the east side of my route around Lake Manawa.  It's possible to ride from the trail, along one road, under I-29 & to the lake trails.  Many miles of interconnected trails are available, just a few though that don't require riding along the edge of roads.

When Butch called in the evening, I had to brag about my dinner!  It made the trip intact & really hit the spot!

South from Malvern~

 A perfect day, chilly, light wind, but perfect.  I wanted to ride the trail again but decided to try the more difficult section going south from Malvern. With no construction traffic today, I parked at Boehner Pond in my usual spot.  I expected to see people at the park, but all was quiet.

At the bicycle tree, going south~

I'd worn a t-shirt, my vest & windbreaker.  This time, my arms were cold under the windbreaker!  Lesson finally learned!  Take my coat!  The uphill grade starts at the beginning of the limestone & continues to the first road crossing. Not too much farther, the old sign gives you an idea of where you are.  I still think this is one of the more challenging sections of the trail & isn't as popular.

At almost 4-miles~

It takes a while to go to Imogene, as Butch & I found out last season when Finn went with us.  It was late in the day when we'd returned. 

My plan today was to ride out for about an hour, then turn back.  I'd not made connections with Doris, so Finn stayed home alone.  I don't feel comfortable leaving him in the yard, he's so small.  (Nika was larger & accustomed to being out - from her time on our acreage in WA.)  

Tree down~

My last ride here April 12th of last year, the plums were in bloom.  No blooms today, we'd had a low of 21 at home last night.  A hard freeze that ruined the beautiful Magnolia blooms on all the trees & some of the other early bloomers too.

I couldn't miss the limb across the trail in the photo above.  It was attached to a huge old cottonwood the winds had taken down, shown in the photo below.  It was split right down the middle, with each half falling two different directions.

The remainer of the old Cottonwood, split in the middle~

All was stunningly quiet at the White Cloud Trestle.  The river flowed below; the birds were singing above & it was warm on the new dark deck boards.

White Cloud Trestle~

I continued on, there were so many obstacles on the trail.  Limbs down, twigs everywhere.  I was glad for fenders each time a tire hit something & it hit the fenders instead of my legs!  I was somewhat worried about getting a flat.  It would be no fun to walk out from here, since it's a more remote area.

Woodchuck damage?

Stopping at the bench where Butch & I had taken a break on our trip back, I couldn't help but notice the damage to the new bench!  My first though was beaver, but after talking to Butch & looking around - no water - I realized it had to be a woodchuck!  It had tried to nibble along the top rail of the bench, but the brown wood type material hadn't been as easy to chew as the black.  Mother nature wins this one...

From the bench & break spot~

The afternoon was even more beautiful than the morning had been.  I'm partial to late afternoon light anyway.  No blooms of any kind yet, but I kept hoping.  Maybe in another week & things will change.  I turned back toward Malvern & enjoyed the relative ease of the downhill grade.  Even so, I noticed the difference, after a winter of cruising around at Lake Manawa.

West Nishnabotna River~

Back at the Trestle, I stopped again for a few minutes, just soaking in the sunshine & the quiet.  In just a short distance I saw a jogger up ahead, then another girl doing the same.  Impressive, since they had to have started from Malvern & were possibly doing ten miles or more. 

Back in Malvern~

Another photo with the large bike!  This trip, Shadow has over 700 miles, the last time in April, the bike turned over 100.  I was tired by the time I'd returned to the Bronco.  I'd ridden just over 15 miles.  I hope to improve my mileage & gain an edge on Butch before he gets a chance to be on the trail again!

The Greens Arrive!

The night of April first, into the morning of April second, one wonderful storm brought us .58 of rain.  Since the wind was so horrific, I think we received more, but it was probably blown out of the gauge before it could be measured!

Literally overnight - things turned green!  After a light drizzle the day cleared to a few minutes of sunshine in the morning.  By the time we left mat making the sky was again leaden gray.  Sadly, we've had no further rain since & the long-term forecast through mid-month is for dryer than normal.  I no longer believe in normal.

4-2 Nika's tree opens its buds!

Today, even though the day started overcast & in the 40's, it was clearing before noon.  I didn't want to waste the opportunity to get out & enjoy the ultra-fresh air.

The Bronco will wait~

At Lake Manawa, it was still very chilly.  It only took as far from the Bronco as I was in this photo to realize I'd forgotten my windbreaker at home! Wearing just my vest, I was freezing & so were my ears.  I pulled out my polar fleece headband & cowgirled up!  

Shadow turns over 700~

My first ride on this bike was March 28th of last year.  Since that time, minus a few miles when the motor is off, Shadow turned over 700 miles.  With the Torque motor I still have to pedal to go forward.  My knees & ankles though, appreciate the assist.  The extra weight the motor & battery add to the bike does requires more attention to balance, starting & stopping.

Pale greens!

Seeing the buds on the trees & grass turning green is a feast for the eyes, after so many months of brown.  Before long, we'll be in the lush months of late spring.

In the first train underpass~

I rode my usual route; I didn't want to try the trail after the rain & my last dog experience.  The park was quiet & the trails smooth.  I just ignore the traffic along the busy streets & hurry along those sections.

From the old campground~

I stopped by the big cottonwood in the old campground.  The view across of the lake is always so pretty.  Leaving the campground, I spotted one of the Eagles at the rim of his nest off in the distance.

From the Indian Creek Bridge~

Cutting back into the park off the Indian Creek trail, takes me back into the most beautiful, southern section of the park.  When the tree's leaf out, I'll miss the views of the water.

At the lake shore~

By late afternoon, the clouds were rolling in again & I could feel the temperature drop.  When I'd first arrived for my break, the sun felt warm.  That didn't last long.  By the time I'd talked to Butch for a few minutes, I was already getting cold again. There were a few boats out on the water & a couple people sitting in chairs, fishing from the shore.

Heading back~

I hustled going back to the Bronco.  The parking lot was warmer than out on the trail with the reflected warmth off the pavement.  

At Doris's, no one answered the door.  I went around back & found Doris raking the pedals that had fallen from her magnolia tree, in full bloom!  It's so huge & so magnificent!  I told her it would be the perfect place for a wedding.  The tree so gorgeous above us & with the pink pedals on the bright green grass.  

At home, the sun was setting lower in the west, soon to drop over the hill behind the woods.  We've been on the spring roller coaster of weather, more gray days this year than I remember in the past.  I'm a spoiled sunshine girl now!