As the Heat Breaks~

 It seemed like a very long stretch of August heat & humidity.  Finally, the last few wonderful days we've been ten degrees below normal.  It's been just grand!  The evenings too, have been the nicest we've had in forever!

Ready to leave Boehner Pond~

I hadn't ridden since the first of the month.  Even with my list of to-dos stacking up at home, I was more than ready to visit the trail.  I stuck to my plan of not riding across the Silver Creek Trestle.  (Due to the invasive game cameras.)  I instead left from the pond & took the rougher section of trail south.

Dying trees~

I was glad I did.  I'm thankful every time I ride this trail that it's here.  I've said before, with so much of Iowa in cropland, natural areas are rare & appreciated.  (There are several areas of native prairie I'd like to visit in the springtime.)  

Ripening Wild Plums~

This is the first time I've seen the plums on the trees!  Usually, they are already devoid of fruit.  This time, they are still at least days away from being ripe.  I bit into one to be sure & yes it was bitter!  If I get back this way again, I'll have to beat the wildlife to them!  I understand they make a wonderful jelly.

Perfect Iowa Day~

Going this direction, the trail gets less use since it's farther between towns & makes for a longer round-trip.  The trail also is rougher in sections with more debris for whatever reason.  It was a tougher ride when I didn't have the assist.  Doing the ride to Imogene is something I prefer to do with Butch or at least have him available to pick me up!  It's a way out there on my own.  I look back at the rides I used to do on a seven speed Townie.  Five years make a difference.

White Cloud Trestle

This Trestle Bridge has now become my favorite.  Only a few stickers, no lights, no game cameras - yet.  No booze bottles strapped to the uprights.  We'll see how long it lasts in its historic, unaltered beauty.  

West Nishnabotna River~

The river was running full.  Mesmerizing in its quiet passage of smooth current under the bridge.  Only the sound of the squirrels squabbing in the surrounding trees breaking the silence.  I had the trail to myself.

Break Spot~

I stopped at 7.67 miles & called Butch from the bench where we take our break when he rides with me.  It was so tempting to go further, but since I hadn't ridden in a while, I turned back.

Returning north~

Back at the Trestle, one of those gorgeous days you wish you could put in a bottle to uncork mid-winter!  The mostly downhill return was - as usual - a blast to ride.  The miles went by too fast!

Nishnabotna River - upstream~

I stopped again on the trestle.

Back to Malvern~

Back at the edge of Malvern, the big bike takes up a portion of the skyline.  I returned to the pond, loaded Shadow & joined the ever-increasing traffic on Hwy 34.  I was amazed at how many cars were heading west toward Council Bluffs/Omaha, after I took the Glenwood exit.  

I picked up Finn at Doris's.  Both look forward to their weekly visits.  It was such a nice evening, Finn & I sat out for a while.  The trees surrounding the backyard have grown so much I can almost forget we have neighbors.