Lookin' like Snow~

We've been spoiled - again...  No two ways about it!  That sunshine & warmth was deceptive.  So glad we got out & enjoyed it while it lasted!  Today, the clouds were back & we were back into the low 30's.

I met with Sue & for lunch in Council Bluffs & am very excited to be helping with the formation of a SW Iowa Chapter of BCHIA!  It will take some work, but state wide - we have one hundred members!  It's a start!  We're looking forward to the opportunity to meet other horsemen in our area!  This will also help me to get a start on what advocacy work I can do here for the AERC.

The Home Place ~

Butch was ready to walk by the time I got home, so out we went.  This is one of the prettiest parts we've found so far of Tinkle Branch Creek.  You can just see our place on the far side, through the trees.

View east - from the top of Townsend Street~

Above is the view from as far up the hillside as we can get from this street.

From the top of Arnold Street~

We walked another block south, then went up again to as far as we could go & I took this view looking a little Southeast toward highway 34.  The wind was blowing on the hilltop, my ears got cold!

Tinkle Branch Creek :-(

As you can tell from the photo above - taken in town - creeks are not a priority here - they're used more as a place to dump things...  So sad.

Taken from the SW corner of the Square~

Even on a gray, late January day, the town square has so much character.  Christmas music was playing during the holidays.  Now it's more mainstream tunes :-) 

Brick roads~

The brick roads just amaze me!  There are many still in use all over town, some with the herringbone pattern, others just laid in rows.  With all the years of wear & the weather - most are still holding up.  I'm sure it's the salt that's put down - that gives the brick it's white spots.

Our walk~

We only walked over two-miles today - it was cold, brisk & refreshing to be out & about.  The house was nice & warm when we returned - dinner is on!  Snow in the forecast - we'll see what tomorrow brings~

New Year - New Projects!

A brand new year & I'm looking forward to it!  Even though I haven't had Farah out lately, she's doing just fine - fuzzy, no shoes & wintering really well!  When we were out to the boarding facility a couple weeks ago, I found signs of rodents in the tack room.  Since the mess was all over the blanket I had over my saddle & the blanket under it had been chewed - I decided to bring my saddle home!

Thankfully our office decor - has a western flair - more so now with headstalls hanging & a new saddle stand for the Stonewall :-)  It took some cleaning to get the Iowa dust & grit washed off everything.  A good coat of Skidmore's conditioner made it look brand new.  I'd missed having my tack close enough to smell.  I do miss my tack room too - but this works fine for now.

Stonewall in the office~

New Year's Eve we were invited to a potluck at the Southwest Iowa Sportsman's club.  I made my hot cheese dip.  With all the great food - no one went away hungry!  Everyone brought games, dice, cards, you name it & the fun began!  We left for home long before midnight.  We both wanted to Be home for our first New Year's in IA!  Candles lit, hot buttered rum - what better way to ring in the New Year?!

The view~

Our survey is finally done.  Butch marked where the fence & gates will be.  We're told it will be finished by mid-February, weather permitting.  We have a busy year ahead, it's fun to be planning new projects & new places to visit.

I've been appointed as Iowa's State Trail Advocate for the AERC!  I'm ready to take on a new challenge & a challenge it will be!  Though there are horses & horsemen here - there just doesn't seem to be the numbers we had in the northwest.  How could there be, when the population of the state is so low in comparison. 

On the Trace~

It came as a surprise to me that the bikes pretty much rule here.  From what I've been told - to go out on the Wabash Trace Trail in the summer - you take your life in your hands.  When you read the word;  riders on any signage - you can be sure they're talking bikes!  We've been checking out the local trail-heads too.  It looks like I'd have room for the trailer if the lot isn't too full.  The bike riders I've talked to - say they would welcome equestrians on the trails & they hardly ever see them.  I think they'll be seeing more of us. :-)