Making Time ~

 Another nice day in June!  All in all, this month has seemed to be a little cooler & less humid than what I think of as normal for the time of year.  The storms have rolled through & we've had wind damage - but we've also had some really perfect late spring, early summer days.

Smokey~

I realized today my Cannondale Adventure EQ Smokey - hadn't had his picture taken in front of Happy Trails!  I hadn't even met Mari Jo, when I took the first photo of Sunny here on my first ride from Silver City.  The concrete patio is such a nice addition to an already cute building.

Sunny, 4-1-2020

The Electra Townie 3i above, was the first bike I bought as an adult in WA.  It had been more years than I want to count since I'd done much riding.  In WA, Butch & I rode the paved surface of the 30-mile long Centennial Trail.  Here, on the limestone with longer grades, it took me two more bikes to find one that works the best for me on the Wabash.

Soy Beans~

The crop rotation has changed this field back from corn last year, to soy this planting.  Beautiful & green, in 2021 Iowa ranked second in the nation, in production of soybeans.  Illinois took first by a narrow margine.

Dappled shade~

Without the shade, I doubt I'd ride the miles I do in the summer months.  Even though the air can get "close" on a warm day, the shade still makes a huge difference.

The cotton was flying through the air like snow at the Trestle.  I ran into Mari Jo coming back north just a mile shy of the trestle.  Our schedules didn't mesh today.  By the time I reached Malvern, I'd only seen two other riders.  I stopped at the park for my break & talked with Butch for a while before starting back.

Silver Creek~

Silver creek is still running full of silt, from the last rain storm.  I was making good time & remembered to turn the Garmin off when I stopped to talk to Mari Jo & when I took photos.  Back at home, I downloaded my stats to find I'd reached my long-time goal!  My third year of biking & after a lot of dust under the bridge -  I'd ridden 16.5 miles at an average moving speed of 10.1 mph.  My best ever!  

With the upcoming forecast of our usual July beginning of the heat/humidity season, ride days will be few & far between.  I'm hopeful I can find at least one day a week where it's decent enough to be able to enjoy the ride!

On Our Own~

How sweet it was!  Our first time riding out by ourselves, since I'd sent Farah to WA, two full years ago.  The first year - we rode out with Farah's breeder, from her property.  The last year, we had to trailer to trails.  Not to complain - I'd go to the moon if it meant a ride on the gold girl.

Heading out~

 We had rain most of the day on Saturday, then received a pouring rain in Duvall that evening.  Waking yesterday to crystal clear skies, was a true gift from above!  Linda was kind enough to come by the farm with my helmet.  I'd left it in her trailer, we'd both thought we'd be riding together soon & hope to yet this week.

I finished saddling up as Linda left.  Farah & I followed her out the drive.  Riding onto the tree farm, I hoped to remember the way back out.  I took directions to reverse my Garmin tract - just in case.  I really wanted to check out the Whitehorse Trail.

Onto the Greenway~

 It was almost exactly the same distance to Tin Bridge, from the farm, as it had been from the parking area.  Farah was so funny!  On a loose rein, she hit her swinging walk & we moved out!  The minute there was a place to trot - she took the opportunity!  We cruised right up to 14-mph.  I'd almost forgotten the thrill of feeling her surge of power.

Blocked off~

 Coming to the intersection of the trails, the Whitehorse toward Arlington was still closed.  Probably due to the now old mud slide.  It was such a beautiful section, one I used to enjoy fairly often.  There has been a problem with people going through the gate below onto private property to access the river.

Gate to private property~

With the trail now open down to the river from the tree farm side, there's no reason to go this way.   We turned our usual way - to go over Tin Bridge.  Three people on bikes came over the bridge just before we started across.  They were disappointed the trail was closed on west.  I mentioned involvement in the Centennial Trail Coalition might be something for them to consider.

Over Tin Bridge~

I used the wide-angle on the phone camera.  It distorted the bridge, but sure looks interesting.  On the far side, on such a perfect day, we stopped to admire the views.  I still remember the first time we came this way after a change was made to round bales.  Farah thought the big white balls didn't need to be there!

On to Green Valley~

 Of course, we had to stop for lunch!  Courtney had given me some organic full size carrots & Farah enjoyed them, before turning to graze.  I - on the other hand - had forgotten any snack for me!

Farah having her lunch~

Seeing the trail wide open beyond Cloverdale farm, was a real treat.  All the years of working toward getting this trail open, is finally paying off.  The rude renter, who'd had a manufactured home on the far side, was gone, as was the manufactured.  Now just a vacant space, rapidly becoming overgrown.

West bound toward Darrington~

 As we moved on past the farthest point we'd ridden in forever, Farah perked up even more.  She loves going different places & I could tell she was as interested to see the changes as I was.

Through the "Gap"~

 The new finer grain gravel covering the old railroad ballast makes a huge difference in the footing.  I do wonder how hard it will compact over time.  Shoes are a must, but they always have been.  We were coming to one of of the most beautiful sections of the trail.  The sound of the river was so wonderful.

Farah - North Fork of the Stillaguamish River~

 There was a couple with a dog playing in the water on the far side.  We stopped to watch.  Continuing on, we crossed both bridge #2 & #3.  I would have liked to ride on to see if it was possible to cross Hwy 530.  I don't think any crossing improvements have been made yet.

Straight on toward Hwy 530~

 We continued up to 138th, before I decided to turn back.  Neither of us wanted to, but it was getting later in the afternoon & dark is coming earlier.  I also wasn't sure I'd remember the trails back to where we needed to go.

Heading Back~

 I love the light this time of day, this time of year & in this place.  Part of the reason Farah & I used to stay out so late in the day.  We'd sometimes get back just at dark, as the season progressed.

We trotted!  We galloped!  We blasted & I yelled Yippee at the sheer thrill of her amazing power & speed.  Not up to what had been her very high level of fitness, she still gave me as much as I could have asked for.

I gave her, her head, just to see which way she would go.  I surprised myself in remembering more than I thought I would.  As we came to the last few turns, there was twice she wanted to go the wrong direction.  I think more because she wanted to stay out longer, than anything.

Our Route~

I dismounted at the gate to the farm.  I'd walked a few times, out on the trail too, just to loosen up.

Farah~

Back at the farm, I unsaddled Farah & gave her a short bath.   Too tired to argue over washing her face, I'll leave that to Debi.  :-)   It's so sweet to use the big nice wash stall & have her clean again.  She did let me do a little more around her udder.  Before long, she'll be used to it again.  The tail is gradually lightening.  I hope to find time to pick up some bluing while I'm here.

I have to thank Mel for an excellent shoeing job!  I didn't hear one click, nor did Farah have any difficulty at any speed!  Really wonderful for a farrier's first shoeing!  Thank you, so very much to Debi too, for sharing Farah with me!

Around the Lake we Go!

Spoiled!  Just a few decent days & we're loving it!  Yesterday we spent mowing...  After all the rain - the yard looked more like a field.  We had just enough drizzle late afternoon to raise the humidity.  Today, I planned to get Butch out for a ride.

Butch on the trail~

 Lake Manawa State Park is close & it's a treat for me to ride a paved surface.  We found a little off-shoot trail that was very pretty, before heading around the lake.

On the main trail~

 This trip, I really wanted to ride the section of trail that connects to the Wabash near Tastee Treat.  As we took it, the winds really picked up & it was tough going.

Trail underpass, train overpass repair~

 I accidentally used the wrong lens, but you get the idea.

Under Interstate 29~

 This was my first time, under an interstate highway.  It was way quieter than I expected.  Butch pointed out how much the earth had dropped & settled around the pilings!

Trail to Iowa Western~

In just under two-miles - we came to familiar territory.  I'd taken this trail a few weeks ago, pretty urban & noisy - but nice if you wanted to ride up to the college.

At the Wabash!

 The other direction - is the northern most starting point of the Wabash Trace.  Looking south down the trail, all shade, made it tempting.  I may ride that section again this week.

Instead, we turned back & returned to the trail around the lake.  I do say around the lake - in the broadest sense, since it doesn't actually put you on the lake, but through neighborhoods & industrial areas surrounding.  At one point - you ride along side the Veterans Memorial Hwy.  It's so noisy & cars are zooming past.

Cute!

 This little RV caught our attention as we went past Leach Camper Sales.  Just about the cutest thing ever!  So tiny, but it has everything you'd need for an overnight or weekend trip - especially if you were taking bikes.

Bridge over Indian Creek~

 The waterway & bridge don't look exceptional - but when you read the link above - it's an important improvement to the infrastructure of the city.

Mileage Marker~

When we were working on the Centennial Trail in WA, we had plans for painted mileage markers.  The project was never completed, since Butch & I had volunteered for the effort & moved before we could accomplish it.  Embedded in the paving, these markers are much nicer & longer lasting.

Starving after a twelve-mile ride, most of it into the wind, we hoped to find a Maid Rite in Bellevue.  It was long gone, but Culvers was open.  We topped off lunch with Concrete Mixers - an item highly recommended with good cause!

Malvern to Shenandoah~

Weather watching again - today was to be cool - no wind & no rain until tomorrow.  The clouds did look ominous as I drove to Malvern.

Our parking spot at Agriland~

My plan was to ride again to Imogene 13.6 mi., & on to Shenandoah, another 8.9, for a total of 23-miles.  On the roads, it was 28-miles.  Butch & I planned to meet by 6 p.m. at the trailhead in Shenandoah.  (Of course, neither of us had been to the trailhead!)  I hoped to make the ride in four-hours, with no idea what the trail was like past Imogene.

Speedy at Fast Stop!

We left promptly at 2 p.m.  Speedy was insistent about stopping at Butch's gas station for a photo!   With my Garmin working again - yippee - it was so nice to know about where I was on the trail & how fast I was going.  I wore my light weight rain coat, it was actually chilly.

Sign in the trees says;  "Ten-miles to Imogene"

It took me about three-miles to take the jacket off.  The greens are popping fast now!  The trees are really leafing out, a big change from even last week.

Cottonwood Pass~

There is a big, long uphill grade about 2/3rds of the way to Imogene.  I remembered it & decided to stop near the top for a photo of the beautiful Cottonwoods.

Imogene Bike Area~

We reached Imogene at 3:50 p.m.  I decided to rest for ten-minutes & eat the peanuts I'd bought, for a snack.  I wanted to check out the inside of the grain bin, but the door was locked.  The clouds would move in, then out, within minutes.  I got cold here & put on my jacket, knowing it would be coming off shortly.

Far side of Imogene~

Before I was a couple miles out of town, the sky cleared.  Another stunning spring afternoon in the heartland!  (Today, was Farah's 14th birthday.  I missed her...  I asked Grandson Ben to visit her for me & take her carrots.  I hope he did.)  The trail from this point on, had more of a sandy surface.  Smoother, but at one point Speedy's rear tire spun a little sideways.

My second selfie~

By now, I was still feeling just fine.  My knees are getting used to all the work & Speedy has lost the random squeaks.  We were averaging over 8-mph & our fastest was 17.3 on one flat stretch.

4:33 p.m. Walnut Creek~

The clouds added so much to the beauty of the landscape!  Every time I thought I might get wet, the darkest of them would sail on by.

I must have been near Essex~

Coming up on a road crossing - I could hear emergency vehicles.  The first two passed by before I could get my camera out for a photo.  The dust was flying, lucky for me, in the other direction!  Yes, that's a decent hill you see on the far side.  The beginning of another long, uphill grade.  This one, seemed to go on forever.  I could see the hill on the horizon & hoped we'd reach the top soon!

Dwarf Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne~

Seeing the beautiful dark purple flowers at the side of the trail, gave me a reason to stop for a short break.  It wasn't too long after this, I came to the Hwy 59 crossing.  Traffic was flying by!  I took a quick look both directions & made it over to the far side.  I knew I had to be getting close to Shenandoah when the Garmin turned over 20-miles!

Bridge over the Nishnabotna River~

This was the longest bridge we've been on yet!  Speedy is as good with bridges as Farah!

Between the bars~

The photo above was almost to the mid-point of the span.  A beautiful bridge over a beautiful river!

The East Nishnabotna River ~  5:10 p.m.

Once we were off the bridge, the trail was paved!  The paving was cracked, patched & almost rougher than the limestone surface.  Bike riders in WA would have a complete fit without the smooth surfaces they're so used to on the Centennial Trail!

5:20 p.m. - We've arrived!

I was amazed we'd made such good time!  3 hr.'s. 20 min. for the 22.70-mile ride.  Farah & I did our only 25-mile ride in 3 hr.'s 21min. for second place.  I think Speedy & I could match that time - but not with the 3,626 ft. of elevation gain!  Our gain was 686 ft.

Old Station at the Shenandoah Trailhead~

I was waiting for Butch, he was waiting for me, out at Hwy 59, where there's an off road gravel parking area.  (He had arrived there within five-minutes of my crossing!)  :-(  With no cell service, after an hour I called 911.  They got through to Butch & finally - he found me!  Lesson learned!

Ride Route~

By the time we were back in Malvern, we were starving.  Tobey Jacks is open & we made it just before closing.  They were kind enough let us order & we have to thank the owners & staff for our first sit-down dinner - in a restaurant - for months!

This weekend, we hope to ride one of the last sections of the trail, south, to the Missouri border.

New Wheels!

Growing up in Boulder, the first big item I remember wanting - besides a horse - was a bike!  I think my Schwinn was a gift for my tenth birthday, but I can't find a photo to confirm.  Dad taught me to ride in the paved ally behind our house on 9th street.  It was a straight shot to North Boulder Park, where I occasionally signed up for summer craft classes.  It was also a great park for kite flying!

Connie & Blue, Boulder, CO

 In short order I was riding to the library, where I borrowed & read every book on horses I could find. There was a huge hill between our house & town.  I'd make it all the way to the top, before the fun of coasting the rest of the way.  Dad worked at the Pontiac garage.  The building had a ramp from street level, down to the service entrance in basement.  Dad would have the door up - I'd fly down the last hill - turn onto the ramp & right down into the building!  Blue & I had some amazing rides.  My bike stayed at home when I married...  My brother took it apart & I never saw it again...

3-16-13 Connie & Sunny on the Haller Trestle Bridge, Arlington, WA

It was many, many, years later I thought about getting another bike.  I was involved with the Centennial Trail Coalition, originally as the Equestrian Representative & eventually as Chairman.  I'd had another of my ideas - to ride the 30-mile trail point-to-point - on Farah.  ( Horses had been excluded from the sections going through towns.)  Butch bought a bike too & we started riding the trail through the towns, to see if Farah & I could pull it off.  We did!  With Butch's help, just two weeks later.

3-23-13 Butch & the bikes

Being a paved trail, we bought cruiser style Electra bikes.  We both loved the old-fashioned style & comfort of the ride.  Soon, we had Grandson Ben riding with us!  We had fun camping trips riding bikes with the Peter's family too!  When we moved to IA, the bikes came, even though they took up a lot of room.

Last Easter we rode from Mineola to Silver City & found the limestone to be more of a workout than paving.  I only rode around locally last year, I was spending most of my time working outside.  This season though, I've been missing Farah, missing my time out in nature & decided I'd be falling back on a bike for locomotion.

After my first solo ride, longer than I'd expected, I called Electra.  They couldn't believe that I'd ridden my 3-speed model that distance on limestone.  In the years since mine was new, they had improved the Townie & suggested I go try one out!

My new wheels, Speedy~

 Xtreme Wheels had a lot of bikes, but only one Electra Townie.  Lucky for me, it was the model I was interested in.  Zack offered to let me take it for a spin.  (It was somewhat reminiscent of the first time I rode Farah.)  I got on, rode around the bank parking lot & came back to Butch with a smile on my face!  The difference was incredible - lighter - nimbler - easier to turn & the gearing was so smooth!

Butch - staying a step ahead of me as usual - had loaded Sunny in the back of the truck.  We traded Sunny in.  Had I known about the bike shortage, I might have tried to sell her myself.  I kept my saddle, added fenders, tire liners & a small gear bag.

If our weather ever returns to anywhere near our usual wonderful 60's - I can't wait to get back on the trail!

On the Whitehorse Trail ~

Three Fingers Peak~

Grandson Ben rode the train up from Astoria, OR to Duvall.  Arriving Wed. night - to visit his cousin's Mason & Cassidy.  Of course Uncle Dave, Aunt Courtney & me too!  This day, we borrowed the Highlander & with Ben driving, he & I took a cruise to Arlington.  The last time I'd ridden with Ben, he'd just received his drivers license! 

It felt like dejavu when we turned onto Hwy 92 & the Cascades came into view. Covered in snow, they looked as though cut from ice. Ben pulled off to the side of the narrow road several times to let me get photos. Though not the view from the Homestead, the one above was as close to it as I could get.

Mt. Pilchuck~

I've always loved this barn, with the view of Mt. Pilchuck behind it.  We continued on to Arlington.  Several changes there, a new pharmacy off Hwy 9 & more houses under construction.

Great Food!

 Ben & I had a plan though!  A stop at Nutty's for lunch!  We spent most of the drive trying to decide what we'd have & then changed our minds once we were there!  With lunch to work off, Haller Park was next.  Parking for the Centennial & Whitehorse Trails.

Grandson Ben on the Haller Trestle Bridge~

 We'd decided to hike out to the arch & walk the Whitehorse trail to Tin Bridge - always Farah & my favorite.  I thought of her often on our walk & told Ben stories of how she would step on the metal transition plates to make her steel shoes ring.

Grammy~

This bridge is at the convergence of the north & south forks of the Stillaquamish River.  A favorite place for locals to come & cool off in the hot summer months.

North fork coming down from Darrington~

It's supposed to be winter, but you wouldn't have know it by the temperature, in the mid-40's.  The warmest first two-weeks of January on record.

New signage~

I was really dismayed by the new signage by the Resilience Arch.  It asked;

Are You Ready?

I thought it a real shame to put signage so close to the beautiful & artful arch...  I doubt the artist would be too pleased either...  If I were still the chairman of the CTCSC, I would have disagreed with this addition to the trail.  It's not as if most everyone who lives in the state is not aware of the hazards associated with living near volcano's...

Commemorative Bricks~

We visited our bricks :-)  I have the originals that were taken out - on our back deck.  (They hadn't been etched deeply enough.)  It seemed sad not to have Farah with us.

Ominous signage~

The Whitehorse was closed.  I had heard about this from friends - I'm not sure how long ago.  As usual, Ben & I wanted to see what we could see & started out on the incredibly deep gravel.  It makes walking, biking or horse riding difficult.  Eventually it was to be resurfaced with rock that could be compacted.

On our Way~

 So familiar, yet different, since I'm no longer ten-feet tall.  It was Ben who spotted the beautiful doe looking out at us from the brush.  She was so well camouflaged that I needed Ben's help to see her.

Doe~

I hadn't brought my  Garmin :-(  But I knew the distance to Tin Bridge was 2-miles.  We'd gone about 1.5 when  we saw the second sign & the beginning of the slide.  It was right where a slide occurred in 2015.  This time, I'm told there's no effort underway to remove it.

Slide area ahead~

Ben points the way, while standing where a large portion of the trail has slid into the river.  Less than half the width had slid down.  It seemed to have been eroded from below - possibly undermined by water coming off the hillside above.

Ben on the trail~

Looking down at the river~

Smaller Slide~

What amazed us both - was the Huge boulder that had come out of the hillside! The size of the Bronco at least, it was smooth, black & unmarked.

Ben on the boulder~

Ben climbed up for a photo, so I had to do it too! Luckily there was an uprooted stump that was jammed into the dirt behind the rock & gave us a handhold.

Grammy on the rock~

From that viewpoint & could see almost over the top of the large slide ahead. Almost half the hillside was now either on, or below the trail.

Slide & uprooted trees~

I climbed up to the top of the pile of debris. It had settled & I doubt it will move further without heavy equipment to push it off the edge & into the river.

Climbing over~

I always dislike seeing Cedar trees go down... But at least the one above had been uprooted.

The trail continues~

At this point there was a deep hole in the trail surface, where another tree had fallen in.  It was also getting late in the afternoon.  We were so close to Tin Bridge, Ben had never been there.  It was hard to turn back, until we though about how long it would take us to reach the car.

Ben waiting~

This is such a beautiful stretch of the river, one of my very favorites.  Farah & I would stop here often for our break.  It was also a great trail to ride in the winter, when you were in no hurry.  Ben & I spotted an Eagle on our way back.

Haller Park~

There was a lot of construction going on at the park.  My old parking place for the horse trailer was now under piles of dirt.  A new splash pad is planned!  The park has been under an ongoing improvement plan for years, it looks rough right now.

We drove past the Homestead on our way back to Duvall.  No, it didn't look anything like home to me anymore...  We both would have liked to walk the woods & could see where the top had been blown off one of the Cedars.  A large vine maple was down too.  I doubt we could have made it through.

Traffic!  It was 4 p.m.  as we got to the corner of 163rd & 84th.  Just to get out from our corner into the steady stream of traffic took several minutes.  Lucky for us, we were traveling against the flow & made the 35-miles back to Duvall in time for dinner!