Sunshine & Flowers~

 We had almost an inch of rain last night!  Last May had gone down in the record books as the dryest in the 150-year history of record keeping.  We'd received only .17 inches & continued into summer bone dry.  This May, I appreciate every drop of rain we get!  So far this month, we've had over four inches!  My Hosta's & flowers seem to be growing every day!

I checked with Mari Jo & was surprised when she said the trail was fine.  I'd gone to mat making in the morning, then dropped Finn off with Doris on my way home.  They day turned out much nicer than had been forecast & warming up to 80 degrees.  The humidity was a little higher too, but nothing like last year.  I loaded Shadow & left for Silver City.  I was about three miles out of town when I realized I'd forgotten my phone.  So much for an early start!

Anise Root~ Osmorhiza longistylis

Both along the trail & at home I enjoy seeing the blooms of Anise Root. It's such a pretty plant, tall & delicate looking.  Native American's & early settlers used anise roots for their sweet & aromatic taste.  A tea was made from them for a variety of medicinal uses.

Shadow on the Trail~

As you can tell from these two photos, the signage has really taken a beating in the last four years...  I thought it was pretty nifty that someone had made what had originally been very nice signs for a few spots along the trail.

4-1-2020 - Sunny in the same spot~

Since my first ride above, Shadow is my fifth bike.  This is also my fifth season of riding the trail. I'm still getting used to my e-bike.  Butch recommended using alcohol to clean the grease off my seat post, then tightening the clamp.  I did that after my last ride.  The seat post stayed in position until just before I reached the trestle today, when my knees told me it had slipped down again. 

Shadow on the trestle~

I also felt like I was working harder at peddling too.  My last ride I didn't think there was much difference in the new tires rolling resistance.  This ride though, even with the assist set to eco, it didn't seem like quite enough.  My tenth ride & I'm still adjusting things.  I'm finding the saddle that came with the bike is very comfortable.

Prairie Phlox~

The bright colorful taller blooms of the Prairie Phlox always get my attention!  I love the pink/purple color!  One of these days I'll find seeds & try starting them along the creek. 

I continued on into Malvern today, rode past the bicycle tree & looped through town before turning back for my usual stop at the pond. It was a quiet day, with only the sounds of the birds singing.

Shadow at the bicycle tree~

I have the seat post so tight now, it's almost impossible to open the clamp.  I used my riding gloves, lifted the seat back to the height I like & tightened it down again.  I made good time on the trip back to Silver City.

The way back~

I returned to town a little after 5 p.m.  As Butch & I had our evening conversation, I mentioned that I felt I'd had to work a little harder on today's ride.  He reminded me that the new tires are not as smooth as the one's that had been on the bike originally.  I'd rather have to peddle more, than get more flats!  He suggested putting the assist to better use & I'm going to take his advice.  He also suggested I buy a dowel rod.  He will use it as a spacer in the seat post tube to keep the seat up in place. I have no idea why this bike has the issue, but look forward to it being fixed!

Sunshine, Clouds, Flowers!

 A sunshine, warm & humid day.  With rain expected in the forecast I went out early to finish mowing the marsh.  Mr. Snappling Turtle is back.  I leave a wide area around his water filled hole!  I sprinkled Preen in the two flower beds there & picked my first batch of Rubarb!  Clouds had rolled in by the time I was done cleaning & chopping it.  Four cups total, enough for two batches of Rubarb Crisp!

After lunch - Smokey was loaded & I made the drive to Silver City, the long way.  My usual route is being re-paved & closed to all but local traffic.  At Happy Trails I stopped to see Mari Jo, before getting on the trail.

Anise Root ~

The Anise Root is one of my favorite spring plants.  It has such a nice growth habit & beautiful leaves.  Some are in our woods.  What started out as a small patch grew a little this year.  It's wonderful to see the trail turning green yet again.

Smokey on the trail~

Last Sunday evening, we received just over a half-inch of rain.  It was enough to raise the humidity.  It's been so dry, it was easy to forget about sweating!   I didn't pass anyone on the trail & reached the bridge just as cloud cover moved in.

On the trestle~

The overcast was a relief from the usual bright sunshine.  The temperature dropped & a light breeze was appreciated.  The birds are singing almost non-stop this time of year!  I love listening to them singing to each other.  Some of the fly-by's included an Oriole, Cardinals & Goldfinches.

Level B road crossing~

Mari Jo had warned me about the road crossing.  She said it had been impassable yesterday & I could see why.  Today though - the mud had dried enough I got off Smokey & light footed it across.  I always look forward to the concrete on the far side.

The park~

It was beautiful at the park!  Obviously Malvern had received much more rain than we had.  The pond was almost full!  A sight I hadn't expected to see.  I rode all the way around to admire the change, before stopping at the picnic area for my break.

Phlox through the spokes~

When I removed a stick from my front spokes, I couldn't help by admire the view!  :-)  The Phlox was such a bright spot!  A sweet smell permeated the air in several places.  The wild plum trees were in full bloom!  Their strong smell is absoutely heavenly.

Wild plum in bloom~

I'm sure the bees think so too!  I made good time going back north.  About a mile from town 3 or 4 raindrops fell on me.  I hoped for more - but by the time I was back at Happy Trails - it stopped.  I & sat talking with Mari Jo until I'd cooled off.  She mentioned I looked tired & hot.  I was!  No more mowing before riding!  

Blossom's Abound ~

 The most beautiful time of year.  It's taken a couple weeks, but the trees are leafing out!  Seeing all the fresh shades of green is a true gift of the season.

The way south~

Our weather so far this spring, has been one for the record books.  Just the week before Mother's Day, we broke the all time record low, at 29 degrees.    Hardly a week later, we're breaking record highs, averaging 20 degrees above normal with daytime highs close to 100.

Smokey & the Phlox~

Along with the blistering heat, was the non-stop wind, gusts reaching 30-mph.  Working outside was like baking in a blast furnace.  The poor flowers I'd planted in pots took constant watering just to stay alive.  Wednesday, was the worst day of the week & everyone I know was ready for the wind/heat/humidity combination to cease!

Banks of blooms~

Butch had fertalized the front lawn when he was home mid-April.  With the little bit of rain we did get, along with the heat/humidity, the grass was inches tall in just the week since it had been mowed.  By the time the man who Butch hired to mow started in Wed. evening - grass was flying everywhere.  In my rock, on the porch, in the street & ground into the sidewalks from the zero turn mowers.  I spent over an hour cleaning up the mess.

Such a change!

It was a refreshing change to be out in the clean air & enjoying the fresh greens!  I was surprised to see the planted corn already a couple inches tall.

The light green of growing corn!

I could hear the train coming, but didn't make it to the underpass in time to get a photo of the engine.  It's an impressive sight to see it coming full speed with it's lights on.  One of these days my timing will be right!

Train going by overhead!

It's incredible the noise the locomotives make when they're going over!  Almost scary!  But, as fast as it had appeared, the train was gone & I continued on to Malvern.

Anise Root~

The Anise Root is now in full bloom!  I have some in our woods now & hope they contine to spread.  There's quite a difference in the habitat of the trail, compaired to our lowland woods, but cool & dappled sun seems to be what it prefers.  It had been so dry for so long, even the Virginia Waterleaf had wilted without blooming.  The rain we did get, combined with cooler temperatures the last couple days, finally gave it an opportuinty to recover & bloom.

The Bronco at Little Red's~

I did stop to visit the Bronco.  It's on Donnie's to-do list!  Once it's running again, I have an excursion in mind.  I told Donnie there's no hurry...  I'm just hopeful he can find & fix the problem with the ignition!  

After a short break, I turned back.  Smokey & I are cruizing right along on our 17-mile stretch of trail now.  We'll see how summer's heat effects my motivation!  

Misty Gray~

Since last weekend & actually most of last week, we've had a string of gray days.  So reminiscent of Western, WA.  With rain again in the forecast, I wanted to get in another longer ride.  I was going to ride with Laura first, but she was delayed.  I decided to ride from Mineola to Silver City & back while I waited.

Toward Silver City~

Speedy has a new shifter & this would be our first time on the trail with it installed.  The original was a twist shifter & my wrist didn't like it.  The new one is a shift type lever & I was excited to try it.  Butch tried to do the install, but the cable that came with it was 5" too short.  Tue. morning we made a trip back to Xtreme Wheels for cable.

Anise Root~

Once I was a mile or so out from the Mineola Trail-head, the Anise was in full bloom & just stunning.

Mounds of flowering Anise~

It was chilly, dark clouds came & went.  I had my rain jacket tied to my waist.  Speedy was shifting smoothly & we flew along on the concrete downhill grade into town.

Speedy in Silver City~

I only stayed long enough to stretch my legs, before we turned back.  I'm still trying to find a rear rack for Speedy.  The one I ordered was too small & the one I need is on back order until Sept.  I'm reminded of getting tack squared away for a horse, except Speedy's size is somewhat standard!  No need to have special measurements for a custom saddle!  :-)  (I do think it's too funny that bike riders call the seat a saddle!)  I kept Sunny's saddle & am glad I did.  It's about broken in for me now.  I've ordered grips matching it - I let them go with Sunny & wish I hadn't.  They too are backordered.

Speedy's front plate~

Electra was purchased by Trek Bike & anything Electra - is on backorder.  I'm Sure Speedy will be one of the last;  Made in the USA, which was one of reasons Butch & I decided on the Electras...

The road Farah & I came in on~

I recognized the road Farah & I took, over to the trail from the farm.  I kind of had an eye open for Laura.  I'd told her I'd be doing the round-trip to Silver City & though she might head out my direction for a meet-up on the trail.

Returning to Mineola~

The uphill grades are almost worth the downhill flying time :-)  The other thing I like about the new shifter, I can easily see what gear I'm in.  After all the riding - I can pretty much tell now.

We find Laura!  Enjoying one of the day's rare sunbreaks!

Here she was!  Back at the trail-head!  Her new bike sporting new fenders & a new seat!  She chose the way to Margaritaville - away we went!  With the handlebars raised etc., Laura was riding like a pro.  She had already ridden a mile before I'd arrived, we added a few more to that before turning back.  There were a few tiny raindrops that fell, but I love & appreciate the unaccustomed coolness.

Countryside~

Once back, we struggled to get Laura's bike loaded into her car.  With the handlebars set higher, it was a tight squeeze.

With Laura on her way home, Speedy & I still had a little time & decided to go on up to Margaritaville.  I know the hot, humid days are coming & feel like I have to take advantage of these wonderful cool ones.

Speedy at Margaritaville~

There were a couple men drinking beers when I arrived, I made the stop a short one.  One was riding an electric bike.  I really enjoyed the four-miles of downhill back to Mineola.

3-miles to Tobey Jacks!

Just over a mile out, I noticed the sign for Tobey Jacks!  Certainly on my list of destinations.  I'd called Butch & he planned to meet me for dinner.

Keg Creek~

We'd really made good time, arriving back early enough, I had time to play with our new bike rack & get Speedy loaded.  It was so much easier than our old one, where I had to lift the bike high in the air to get it hung.

Coming back to the Mineola Trailhead~

When Butch pulled in, he checked my work & I'd done it all right!  Speedy wasn't falling off anytime soon :-)  All together in the three rides, we'd covered 20-miles.  Here I am, again counting miles!  My idea is to get fit enough to ride 25 or so with relative ease.  I do say relative - since at the age I am now - most everything is relative!