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!
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Very low creeks~ |
The creeks held very little water, hardly flowing at all.
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!
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| 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!
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| 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.
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| 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.
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~
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