Glen Cunningham Lake with Butch & Finn ~

 Butch arrived home last Friday - several days earlier than planned.  He received a jury summons requiring him to be on call for the entire month of December.  Last time, he was excused due to his occupation, but not this time. Driving OTR, it's not possible to check in daily to see if he's required to report, since he's constantly on the road. He filed a second request to be excused, mentioning this would result in the loss of an entire month's income. The second response from the judge reduced his length of service to a week.  Rather than have Maverick sit in our driveway for the week - Butch dropped the truck at Nationwide for its 30,000-mile scheduled maintenance.

A week at home so seldom happens! To date Butch hasn't been required to report.  We couldn't make our planned trip, but he's been busy here.  After checking our new furnace installation, Butch decided to demo the utility closet & replace the two solid doors with vented bifold.  

Butch & Finn - ready to ride!

Our streak of sunshine days has been a rare gift for the month of December.  The weather report seemed to change daily.  My plan was for the two of us to get in a ride!  As I looked ahead to see which day, or days would be warm without the winds gusting 25 mph. - today was the day!

Butch & Finn on the bridge~

We hadn't ridden at Glen Cunningham since September of 2022!  I couldn't believe it had been so long.  Finn has only ridden in his little cart on the Wabash, so riding on the smooth surface trails at the lake would be a much easier ride.  Once Butch had his cart ready - he jumped right in!

Looking across the south end of the lake~

The lake was about 85% frozen, just a few spots of open water.  Only a few people were out walking, a quiet day before the holiday arrives.

Finn in his cart~

Finn was really enjoying the ride.  We passed a Scotty & a Westy too!  One of the rear reflectors came off Finn's cart.  Thankfully we found it in the back of the Bronco.  We'll be reinforcing the attachment before we take it out again.

Canadian Geese~

It's been reported at Green Valley State Park outside Creston, that as many as sixty Geese have been found dead from bird flu.  This flock looked fine & we saw several larger groups flying overhead on our way home.

On the trail~

I was cold enough from the breeze coming off the ice - I had on two layers & my warm headband.  My husband was in a T-shirt!  He'd brought a jacket but insisted he didn't need it.  Finn faced forward most of the ride, just turning around now & then to be sure I was still following!

Taking a break~

We crossed the bridge at the north end of the lake before stopping again.  It was only just after 2 p.m., but if you were going by the sun, you'd have thought it was 4 p.m. or later.

At the north end of the lake~

This time of year, the air is so fresh.  We had just a bit of rain last week, which melted the last of the little snow we'd received November 29th.

Crossing the dam~

Taking our time & stopping now & then, we took just over an hour to ride the 6.5 miles around the lake.  With just a latte & cookie for breakfast, an early dinner sounded good!  With Christmas right around the corner, tomorrow I'll be busy baking pies & wishing the kids were close enough to enjoy the holidays with us~

Ice on the Water ~

 This year it seemed like winter arrived all at once.  I was enjoying fall, moderate temperatures & still plenty of time outside.  Our first snow was November 29th.  We've had earlier snow, that's for sure, but the change to cold - still seemed sudden.  It had been just over three weeks since I'd been out.  With today's forecast close to 50, it was time for a ride.

12:37 p.m. On the trail~

It was noon when I dropped Finn off to visit Doris.  My plan was to be on the trail during the warmest time of our short days.  There were no cars at my usual parking spot & almost no one at the park.

Road crew working northbound I-29

On my way out the trail to the I-29 underpass, I came around a corner just before the train underpass & spooked a six-point buck!  He was standing on the trail eating through the chain link fence that runs alongside the railway tracks.  He jumped straight up, before turning & crossing in front of me. 

I turned around just shy of the Interstate on my way back to the park.  I'd just gone through the last tunnel - when this time - I spooked three does!  They were eating plants on the far side of the chain link in about the same spot.  They took off across the trail in front of me.  I looked but couldn't see any plants that were different enough to draw so much interest.  They were surrounded by harvested fields with plenty of fodder!

Possum~

Making my usual circuit through the old campground, this big possum was out in the middle of one of the open fields.  He was totally unconcerned about my presence.  

Along Indian Creek~

There was still snow on the ground in several places.  I rode into the wind heading south along the creek.  It was such a beautiful afternoon.

Frozen snow & footprints~

When I finished my loop around the lake, I passed the Bronco & turned down the trail to my usual spot on the lakeshore.  Here, with all the shade from the trees, the snow was covering the trail.  Footprints were frozen into the snow & had iced over.  I walked the bike through this section.

At the shore~

My reward is the above view.  I think the lake is more beautiful in the winter, frozen over, than in the summer months when the water is clear.  High clouds had moved in from the west & with them the temperature dropped about 5 degrees.

2:37 p.m. The sun is already starting to set~

It didn't take long to feel the chill.  I started back.  It's amazing how quickly the sun sets this time of year.  The winter solstice can't come soon enough. I returned to the Bronco & left for home.  Finn & Doris had spent the afternoon out in the sunshine too.  

5:17 p.m. The sun has set~

At home, it was already getting dark & the lights had come on.  The last shades of pink looked so pretty against the blue/gray sky.  This time of year, I appreciate those rare warmer days more than ever, even though we could sure use moisture. Butch is due home soon & the weather forecast is for a Christmas day in the 50's!  Since he has jury duty the last of the month, we'll be enjoying his extended time at home!

Someone Flipped the Switch!

 November, after the record-breaking high temperature earlier, we saw some very cold & gray days.  The month was one of transition.  Finn & I sat out almost every morning enjoying the warmth of our south exposure & sunshine.  Even the gray days have their own beauty & the radiant heater helped!

Our view 11-25-25

I was taking my germaniums in most nights & setting them back out in the mornings.  The ones in the photo have gone through a second year.  I have six others I started last spring.  Getting them through the winter months here, is always a challenge.

Thanksgiving Day - the Marsh~

Thanksgiving was a totally beautiful day!  We walked the property & enjoyed the sunshine.  By Saturday, it was a different world.  Iowa still amazes me as to how fast & dramatically the weather can change.

Snow arrives, 11-29-25

Butch had made another very long drive, up for almost 24 hours, to make it home the morning before Thanksgiving. Sunday night, I smelled gas & our furnace decided to go out.  Butch took it apart & discovered it was beyond repair.  He made a call that evening & met with Steve on Monday.  I told him he was not leaving until we'd made a plan for heat!  Steve said it would take until Wed. for the new furnace to arrive & for the install. (After Butch met with Steve, he pulled out in his nice warm truck!)

12-3 A shiny new furnace~

As promised, Steve & his crew arrived bright & early Wednesday morning.  I was happy to leave them at the task & go to mat making where it was nice & warm!  Kind friends offered us a place to stay, but I'd closed off the guest room, kept the drapes drawn, fireplace going & moved one of our two oil heaters into whatever room Finn & I occupied.  Steve was impressed with how warm the house had stayed.

12-4-25 

Time was of the essence, as the coldest temperatures of the season to date, were a day away.  Late in the afternoon, it was a relief to hear the fan of the new furnace kick on!  By the fourth, the bottom dropped out & we experienced our first negative temperatures of the season.  

12-6 Snow still on the ground~

It's been so bitterly cold, the approximately 3" of snow we received is still on the ground.  More had been forecast for today, but so far, we've remained cloudy & cold.

Finnigan~

Finn & I have been decorating!  December fourth marked the second anniversary of his Adoption Day!  We've decided to designate it as his birthday, too.  Our Vet believed him to be about four when I brought him home, which makes him now six.  He's made so many friends & adores my friend, Doris.  (He is still scared of men.)

He has two female dog friends now: Poppy, Ginny's Pomeranian & Sadie, Carol's West Highland Terrier.  He even knows the Travelin' Man ring tone I've set for Butch's calls & barks when he hears it!  He's one heck of a little guy with a huge heart.  I couldn't have found a better companion.