The Way West~

 We were making this trip to attend Grandson Mason's Celebration of life.  The gathering would be held on August 11th - what would have been his 23rd birthday.  We discussed flying out, but both of us felt like traveling cross-country. 

8-7 Crossing the Missouri River at Chamberlin, SD

We left bright & early Wednesday morning the 7th.  Butch had made it home a couple days early, so we had plenty of time to plan & pack the Explorer.  We'd sent both the girls our itinerary & maps of our planned daily drive.  This drive is now more familiar to Butch than it is to me.  My last time was going the opposite direction when we made the move to IA from WA. 

Rain, passing Sheridan, WY

We'd planned our first nights stop for Rapid City, but The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was in full swing & room rates were outrageous.  We decided to drive 620-miles to Sundance, WY.  We think it was Finn's first time at a motel, but he was so good!    

8-8 We ended our drive with a cool one~

The following day, Thursday the 8th, we finished another big drive of 636-miles stopping in Missoula, MT for the night.  We put Finn's bed in a quiet spot & fed him dinner before we left for ours.  When we returned, he was waiting patiently & very happy to see us!

The following morning, our goal was within reach!  Camano Island, WA where our youngest daughter & her family live.  Things greened up as we crossed into ID & WA.  Spokane traffic had tripled since my last time through.  It was our first real slow-down of the trip.

The Columbia River at Vantage, 2:19 p.m. ~

Once we crossed the river, we made a stop at the fruit stand just outside Cle Elum. Smoke was thick in the air & had been off & on the further west we drove.  

We'd be coming down Snoqualmie Pass & into Seattle during the Friday afternoon rush hour.  I-90 jammed up early on. Both the exits for the back roads we used to take to go north, were backed up for miles. 

I-90 West Bound, 4:38 p.m.

Taking the exit ramp off I-90 & finally going north on I-405, I was amazed at how Bellevue had changed!  More high-rise buildings & cranes in the air!  I'd commuted to my office in Bellevue from the Homestead for several years.  In those days, it had taken under an hour each way.    

I-405 northbound - Bellevue, 4:52 p.m. 

The highway was undergoing yet another widening as we approached downtown.  After merging onto I-5 near Lynnwood, it took us 40-minutes just to pass the Bothell exit.

Bothell 5:28 p.m. ~

Rather than continue to sit in standstill traffic, we decided the state could send us a bill & took the HOV lane.  If you enlarge the photo above, you will notice the fine for violating the HOV lane is $536. There were other signs stating that if you had two occupants or more & didn't have a pre-pass, you'd receive a bill in the mail.

North Broadway, Everett - 6:07 p.m.

I finally asked Butch to take the Everett exit so we could take a potty break!  I was hopeful we'd be able to follow Broadway north, cross the Snohomish River Bridge & return to I-5. Plenty of people had the same idea.  The other thing we didn't expect - was to find the bridge closed down to one side, only one lane each direction due to construction.

Our camp!

Jentry had messaged me & sent the above photo of our camp!  She had left work, gone home for her trailer & set it up at the campground!  It looked so inviting & kept us motivated to finish the 540-mile drive that was taking hours longer than it should have.  

As we took the Stanwood exit, we left the traffic behind.  We stopped to pick up a few things at the store, before crossing over to the island.  What a relief it was to pull into our camp site!  It was about 7 p.m. & dusk.  Jentry, Ben, Skyla & Josie drove over to welcome us!  Finn was ever so happy to meet our family!  The hugs were the Best!  After the kids left, we sat outside for a while to enjoy the peace & quiet.  We'd missed the fresh, clean air of the Pacific Northwest.

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center ~

Since the first time we'd driven past the sign on the freeway, I'd wanted to visit this Forest!  It's interesting to me, that it is called a Forest, since other woodlands are described as Timber.   Just over the Plattsmouth bridge & a short drive & on the Nebraska side of the Missouri, we arrived.

Entry~

I loved the rock & steel entrance signage.  With more than 2,000 acres of forests, prairies, swamps & other lands in preservation, this preserve encompasses one of the largest natural deciduous forests in Nebraska.

Front~

The front elevation could have easily fit have fit into either a Colorado or Washington landscape, but was perfectly at home here too.

Bison Bench~

The copper Bison Bench was a perfect welcome, except possibly on a hot day!

A shadowed reminder~

The seat was a reminder to visitors of the changes that have taken place in our country since Lewis & Clark first trekked to the west coast.

First green views~

The early morning cloud cover burned off & the sun was rapidly heating up the day.  After the rains, the humidity was climbing too.

Trail signage~

We received a trail map at the information desk.  The lodge had many informative displays, a raptor exhibit & gift shop.  I wanted to get out into the forest, walk the trails & see what types of ground covers & under-story grew here. 

Beautiful -

When I asked if the land had been left in a natural state over the years, I was told that the area had a long & varied history of use.  Nebraska Culture Indians, from about 1150 to 1450 A.D., a trading post, logging, farming, etc.  Sites were excavated in 1937 by archaeologists of the Nebraska Historical Society.  They recovered over 4,600 pottery fragments, 26 flint projectile points, awls, fish hooks fashioned from bone & an assortment of ground stone tools. 

Dirt trails~

In the northern part of the forest, there are mature trees dating from the 1720's, but through most of the forest it's impossible to find a tree more than a century old.  Between 1902 & 1920 logging nearly clear-cut virtually all of the trees from the surrounding area.

Boardwalks~

The length of the boardwalks is impressive & makes at least a part of the forest accessible to everyone.

Constitution Tree, a Burr Oak~

I loved seeing this tree & thinking of the years that it has lived in this spot, marking the passage of time.

Signage~

Such an impressive tree, it gave me a better idea of how long it takes the hardwoods to grow here & reach massive size.

Sign & mid-trunk~

I soon discovered that there really don't seem to be under-story shrubs.  Young trees, trying to gain a foothold are as close to under-story that I could see.

View of Omaha & the Dome of Henry Doorley Zoo

Ground covers grow higher than I'd imagined & some that I thought were weeds at home, are actually native plants!  It was a great learning experience!

Who's this?

Stinging nettles also predominated in many areas!  It was not a forest where you'd want to walk far off the trails.  Butch reminded me that since the leaves are now opening, we were just past the prime time for the early native flowers.

On the Boardwalk~

We finally reached a point where we saw the sign below, attached to a tree along side the trail we were on.

A warning :-)

Since we'd not had breakfast & time for lunch was long past, we decided to turn back.  There are between 19 to 21 miles of trails!  The Great Marsh area was closed due to damage from the flooding.  That will be an excursion for another day.

Map of the trails~

Back at the gift shop, I found a wonderful book;  Field Guide to Wildflowers, color coded by the colors of the blooms.  I'm already using it to identify more of the plants along our creek & in the timber! 

Pierce Creek Recreation Area~

Forecast to be the last day before rains move in again - I was badly in need of some saddle time!  It's so much handier to have the horse trailer home.  Butch had me hitched, I went out to get Farah & we were on the road.  Joyce had given me great directions...

Pierce Creek

  But...  just as we were approaching the corner that goes to Malvern on Hwy 34, I saw flashing lights ahead!  The highway was closed & we were being diverted toward Malvern.  I hadn't planned any secondary route - so ended up parking on a side street - thankful that I had enough phone service to look at Google Maps.  I ended up taking a longer route, but once I picked up Hwy 59 - the directions got us there!

Entrance

I wanted to be sure to park in the correct area.  I'd thought that there were separate entrances for day use & camping - but both were accessed through the same drive going in.  There is no fee for day riding - just a charge if you camp overnight.  This park took years of work, the dedication of many volunteers & numerous grants from a variety of sources to accomplish. 

Bronco & Trailer~

To say it was a totally stellar day isn't saying enough.  I was so glad I'd decided to make the trip.  Upper 50's with a nice breeze was perfect.  Farah was excited, grabbing mouthfuls of grass at every opportunity.  I thought about lounging her - but just put a foot in the stirrup & we were on our way.

Every amenity!

To see signage welcoming Equestrians - is so Wonderful & rare these days!  Maps were provided on the informative signage right at the entrance - but anyone who knows me - knows my directional challenges :-)

First views~

 I just decided to find a trail - any trail & take it!  We ended up at the west shore of the lake & following it south - soon saw the dike.

South end dike~

Joyce had mentioned crossing the dike to find the forested area where she plans to put in another trail - so we headed that way.  Farah didn't like the sound of the outflow - I dismounted to get her past it. 

Huge home under construction near the SE corner of the area~

Just across the dike - the house above loomed over the area.  I have to wonder who's building it & why so large - it would more than rival any of the homes on the Eastside of Lake Washington in Bellevue.

View from the east side~

Once across, we found a 4-ft. wide mowed path along the shore here too.  Joyce had explained that they keep the trails 4-ft. wide to distribute the wear across a wider area - avoiding the erosion that a narrower trail can create.

 

Farah looks across~

Finding a fence line - I decided to followed it north.  My plan - if you could call it that - was to find the farthest edges of the park.  I'd taken a good look at the layout - via Google Earth.

Heading north, along the east fence line~

It was just beautiful here - I was thinking to myself - that there would not be many trails, but was still hopeful for a few miles.

North boundary~

Before long we came to the north boundary & turned west~

Going west~

There were many mowed trails over the top of this hill, we took several, ended up near the bottom, then turned & came back up to the top.

Toward the northern end of the lake

About the time I was wondering if we'd find a way across at the northern end of the lake, we came to a corner giving us the option of turning to the north again!  

We ended up here!

These trails were Beautiful!  Like riding in Narnia - for SW Iowa anyway!

On the trail north~

The footing was perfect - just perfect.  Dry & Farah moved into a trot on her own.

We hear something!

I'd stopped to take a photo when we heard a truck horn?  Then again?  Then a voice; "Connie - is that you?"  Joyce had found us!  I told her that she reminds me so much of my friend Linda - who could find me anywhere :-)  We followed her direction & met up at the picnic area accessed off 140th.  So great to finally meet in person - soon we hope to ride - so I can see trails that I missed today!

Wonderful trees~

We'd managed to find our way into what I think is the most beautiful section of the area!  I can't say how much it did my soul good to be out in such a gorgeous woods.  Farah trotted, then broke into a nice hand gallop - all on a loose rein.

Wild Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos

The tree above is a native species.  Not one I would plant & I cut several small ones down this last week.  I was amazed at the lack of invasive plants here.  At least that I can recognize so far. I only saw one wild grape which I've also discovered is a native & has been used as source rootstock for several cultivars.  I did not see Greenbriar - the new shoots of which can be eaten!

Back up on the SE hills~

We took the trail through this NE wooded area & were sorry when it ended.  Soon we were back in the open country & the lake was again in view.  This time we took a different trail back to the south end of the park & came to the fence along the road there.

Checking out 150th.

We followed this trail back to the bottom of the dike, then up & across it.  Joyce said we'd missed some trails in the upper NW corner - so we went that way.

On a lower trail~

When we were lower on the trail, we'd heard a truck leave from the dock & soon came to the road.  A trail sign was across the way, we were happy to find it! 

Across the road to the dock~

We found another covered picnic area at the top of a nice long trail along the northern edge.  Farah flew up it & I had one of my first opportunities here to yell "Yippee"!  :-)

Picnic area~

More nice views here too, we could see back at where we'd been on the far side.  Turning once more onto the trails, the one we were on circled us back down to where we'd crossed the road.  At one point during our ride, Farah was walking along so wonderfully, I looked down at my Garmin to see that she was moving at an effortless 4.7mph.  

Rolling prairie~

I could tell by the sun that it was getting later in the afternoon & knew we had an hours drive back home.  Here, it's not the traffic that takes the time - it's actually the miles to get from here to there!  :-)

Back in the Equestrian area~

There was a water spicket & hose - what a nice amenity!  I offered Farah a bucket of water which she ignored in favor of grazing.  I decided to wash her down - some sweat mixed with dirt from her daily rolls...

As I asked her to load up - she started playing a new game...  jumping back out of the trailer!  She did this three times, before I got my rope out, tied it to the big door & managed to pull it shut with her still inside!  I think she just wanted to stay & graze - heading back didn't suit her.  Riding untied is a privilege - next time she pulls this - she will find herself tied in!

Our route~

I called Butch - he was home - so we picked him up on the way back to Farah's stable.  She was an absolute angel unloading for Dad! :-)  Dinner at Toby Jacks was a great way to end a perfect day of riding!  My only wish - would be to have this wonderful place (even any Equestrian place...) closer to home~