Last Ride of the 2025~

 Up early, it was 28 degrees & the sun was burning through the morning haze.  By the time I was leaving mat's, the day felt warm!  Warm enough - that after picking up a few groceries - I loaded the bike on the Bronco.  

On the loop trail, Lake Manawa~

It was just after 2 p.m. by the time I'd parked & was on the trail.  The temperature registered 52 degrees on the drive up.  There wasn't even a hint of a breeze, which made for perfect riding. 

Looking north - Mid-American~

I took my time & rode out again where I'd seen the deer my last visit.  No deer today & very quiet.  It's always a little warmer out in the open & away from the lake.  Steam was rising from the Mid-American coal plant.

View from the old campground to the lake~

The cleanup crew I'd seen clearing the landscape of tree debris this fall, had opened up the views from the campground to the lake.  The For Sale sign is gone.  Either the land was sold or will still sit awhile longer, undeveloped.  The second option is my choice of course.  Any open space near a city is golden.

Coming off the Indian Creek Bridge to the trail heading east~

As I pedaled along Indian Creek, I enjoyed one of the rare times I don't ride directly into a gusting wind!  I did see two other riders going the opposite direction.  I've told Butch I want to try to ride from the park to the Bob Perry pedestrian bridge one of these days.  I don't want to try it on my own.  I don't know if it's all established trail or might include road riding.

The moon over my break spot~

As I soaked up the sun from my usual break bench, I couldn't believe my luck, getting in three rides in the month of December.  The sun was already moving lower in the sky & the temperature was dropping.

Shadow at the shore~

There were some amazing ice & snow formations all along this side of the lake shore.  Possibly made from the short windy dry snow we'd received on the 13th.  The lake itself was still frozen over, but very thin in places.

Lake shore ice/snow formations~

Above is another photo of the forms created on the dry plants sticking up along the shore.  They were some of the most unusual I've ever seen.  As I drove out, I watched along the shore & this was the only area where the seemed to have occurred.

I'd left Finn home, so turned back.  He's always waiting right at the door when I get home, so excited & happy to see me!  Of course, he gets one of his special big cookies (the teeth cleaning waffle type) for being so good about staying home alone.  Traffic was lighter than I expected, with the upcoming holiday tomorrow. 

A sunshine ride was the almost perfect way to end the year.  The only thing better would have been enjoying it with my husband~