Last of Fall Warmth ~

 We were very lucky the two days of sunshine & warm temperatures were going to land on the weekend.  After most of a week of dreary, gray & cold days - sunshine sounded grand.

Leaving Boehner Park~

I drove to Malvern & parked at Boehner Park.  Last year the park gates were open during the winter months.  I hope that holds true this season.  It's such a nice place to start from & return to.  The houses under construction will be move-in ready before long.  I wonder how much all the new residents will change the quiet of this little park.

South of Malvern~

This area is about 2-miles from the trestle.  If the wind is coming from the SW, as it was today, it's a workout.  There are a few sections where the windbreak is minimal.

White Cloud Trestle~

After all our gray days this past week, I enjoyed the blue skies & smell of the fallen leaves.

I did a short video of the views from the White Cloud Trestle.  I'm so thankful there's still one trestle bridge without neon lights or game cameras.  It's the quiet I appreciate so much.

Turn around spot, 7.5 miles south of Malvern~

This is a little over half-way to Imogene.  It's a good ride, just to get this far.  I'm looking forward to a nice weather day, when Butch is home, so we can do the entire route again. The last time was the first time for Butch's first ebike & Finn in his new trailer!

Trail by braille~

Heading back north, it's tricky to stay on the track with all the leaves down.  The trail surface is rougher than it looks with a main track on each side.  The middle is rough & the edges rougher this time of year.  The walnuts always give me a jolt when I find one or more under the leaves!  They can be slippery when a tire hits one & you have to instantly correct to maintain balance.

Last of the color~

These days are gone so fast!  Soon the weatherman tells us a blustery cold front will move in & this will be the last of anything near moderate temperatures.  I'll miss the colors; the smells & hope December gives us the few warmer days we've enjoyed in past years.

November, Record Breaking Heat~

 Today we were on schedule to break the record set in 1964 of 76 degrees.  Our fire danger has increased too.  The temperature topped out at 77.  I've spent the week working outside & watering.  Planting all the Emerald Green trees along our perimeter as we did in WA, seemed a good idea at the time.  As they've grown though, their need for water has, too.  Several in dry locations were severely stressed by last summer's drought.  This year most have recovered with just two that may need to be replaced.  I'm not willing to give up on trees that have reached ten feet!

South from Malvern~

Today, though, it was time to see what the trail looked like.  I parked at Boehner Pond.  The dust was flying off the gravel road, but this time of year without rain, the dust is everywhere.  

Almost to the Trestle~

I left going south & was soon enjoying the beautiful day.  The leaves on the trees were drying & falling without any further bursts of color.  In many places the trail was so covered with them you couldn't see the main track.  This made for a more challenging ride, hitting hidden walnuts, sticks etc.

White Cloud Trestle~

I've not ridden south from Silver City for months now & miss that section of the trail.  It's more heavily used & easier riding.  I could feel it had been almost a month since I'd been on the limestone.  It's definitely more work than the smooth surfaces at Lake Manawa.

The narrow bridge~

The above bridge is the narrowest on the entire length of the trail.  Narrow enough that two bikes can't pass each other.  My handlebars don't have much clearance when they're turned straight.  It's not far in either direction to a road though, which is how the volunteer maintenance crew access the area.

Very low creeks~

The creeks held very little water, hardly flowing at all.

Gooseberry~

The Gooseberry bush had the most vibrant colors of the entire ride. I have one that started in the woods & hope to one day have berries!  

Last of the golden leaves~

Almost to the bench where I turn back, the trees in this section were beautiful!  The sunlight, low on the southern horizon added to the beauty.  The afternoons are so short, the time change didn't help!

Woods~

The wooded areas are changing to the barren look of the winter months.  The gold & oranges of the grasses still give some definition to the hillsides.

When the soy has been harvested~

The wind was really blowing for most of the ride.  It's pretty wide open out this way & there's not much to break the gusts, now the crops are in.  The soy fields look positively naked.  

West Nishnabotna River~

As the sun moved lower in the sky, the river reflected the filtered light through the high, thin clouds.  These are the days I wish could last longer than they do.  Moisture would help though!  I haven't ridden quite as many miles this year as in the past.  I spent a lot of time working outside at home.  I hope one day soon - I'll have help again~

Sound of the Breeze~

 Back to Standard Time & Finn isn't happy his dinner is - to him - an hour late!  I'm not ready for bed an hour early either!  Today, I dropped Finn off with Doris a little earlier than in the months of Daylight Savings.  Once the sun starts to drop, the day cools off fast.  Soon, the leaves will have fallen & I'll no longer be able to enjoy the sound of the leaves in the trees.

Cottonwoods~

As I aired my rear tire, I managed to flatten it.  I couldn't get it filled again with the hand pump.  I called Tony at Extreme Wheels & thankfully he said I could bring it in.  It only took him a minute to fill the tire.  This little side trip put me close to the park.  I asked if he could change out the valve stems from Presta to Schrader.  He said the rims wouldn't accommodate Schrader.  Now I wonder if adapters would work. 

Beautiful golds~

It was another stunning November day.  November continues to be one of my favorite months in Iowa.  Cooler days, usually in the 60's, light breezes & of course the trees turning.  It has been dry though & caught me off guard. I'm behind on watering our trees & shrubs.

Mid-American~

I hadn't been here since the 25th of September when Skyla & I rode.  I thought of her & how much fun we'd had during her visit.

The Country Club golf course~

We haven't had enough cold or a heavy freeze yet this season.  Some of the trees are still holding on to green leaves, while others, like the Silver Maple below are in full color.

Brilliant Gold~

There was a crew at the old campground mowing & cleaning up.  I was surprised since it was the first time I've ever seen anyone there.

Indian Creek, view south~

The wind really picked up along the Indian Creek trail, blowing strongly from the south.  After my knees refused to push on, I shifted up a couple gears.  Once I made the turn to the east along the south side, the trees blocked most of it.

Lake Manawa~

Stopping at my usual spot, the sky & the water of the lake were almost the same shades of blue.  A huge fish jumped not ten feet from shore!  I didn't see any Eagles today though.

Heading back~

I've been working at home, getting the fall chores done.  Butch was home for Halloween & didn't leave until Sunday morning.  Four days are ever so much better than three!  We managed to get several errands accomplished.  He also changed furnace filters & did the usual fall maintenance around the house.  Now he'll be out until Thanksgiving, unless he's lucky enough to get an overnight visit home.  Fingers crossed!