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!