Ken Sidey Nature Area ~

I was searching Google Earth, looking at parks in Adair County.  The Ken Sidey Nature Area is only a couple miles from Greenfield.  I love the story behind this area & how long it's been left in a native state.  For over fifty-years, Mr. Sidey took weekly walks here & wrote about the area in his Notes & Notions column in Adair County Free Press.   My Aunt, Blanch Tracy worked at the Free Press for many years.  She enjoyed the work there; I think I would have too!

I convinced Butch we needed to take a short hike, before continuing on to Creston.  The day had started out cool, with a nice breeze, but turned downright hot.  The humidity was high, after what must have been more overnight rain.

Entrance Sign~

Nika was with us & ready for a walk. The start of the trail was soaking wet, with water running along over the top of the already muddy soil.  I had on sandals; Butch gave me a look :-)

Nika & Butch on the trail~

The one sign we found wasn't too informative. It showed what looked to be nice circular trail system, but there was no signage as to what trail you were on. We found a couple turns off what we thought was the main trail.

In the Timber~

It was beautiful! So lush, so green & so quiet! It was also very, very wet! We were slipping & sliding with almost every step. Under the layer of mud & water, we could see gravel here & there.

Columbine~

The Columbine above is the second I've seen this season, each at a different park. The ground covers here were more diverse. I only saw a few honeysuckle - I hope they're removed before they have a chance to spread!

Nodaway Lake

The first turn we made, took us down to the lake! The second, we were climbing a hill along the side of a open field. We could just see a house at the top, so we both thought we'd made a wrong turn. By now, my Garmin said we'd covered a half-mile. The sweat was dripping from us both & even Nika had slowed down.

Connie & Nika

We decided to turn back - after taking a short break on one of the benches along the trail.  The sign below was near a gate at the edge of the lake.

Yuck!

From that point on, I felt every drip of sweat & thought it was a tick! I think it's great we're to mail in the form & a study is on-going.

Our trek~

By the time we were back to the parking - the three of us were more than ready for the air-conditioned comfort of the truck! This will be another place for exploring on a cool fall day!

Crusin' with Friends~

The weatherman had promised a slightly cooler day today.  Roxi & I had planned to ride, so even though I worried I would melt - I was determined to get Farah out.  At the barn - Farah had heard the trailer & was standing with her head over the stall gate when I arrived.  She was even clean - not nearly as dusty as she was a couple days ago!  She followed me to the trailer on a loose lead, loaded right in & stood like a lady while I closed the door.

Farah enjoying the grazing~

Arriving at Waubonsie early - we both enjoyed our quite time together - we were the only ones there.  I took my time saddling up & then let her graze.  Roxi & Sondra pulled in & soon the three of us were on the trail.  Roxi let me choose the pace, I was looking forward to a faster ride.  Farah enjoyed the lead - not a single spook & she was all business.  We trotted, galloped & had a blast cruising around on the soft dirt trails.  Sandra, who rode bareback, saddled up when we decided to go out again.

Tree still across the trail~

Even if hot & getting hotter, it was so beautiful in the green, dabbled shade of the trees.  I recognized the red Columbines - blooming in several places.

Native Columbine

We were well into our second go-round when I heard something happen & the word snake!  Oh yuck - I've now heard lots of rumors about the snakes here & how big they can get!  I had to go back for a look though!  :-)

Black Rat Snake

He was big - I'm glad I've now seen one & will certainly be a little more careful when walking along the creek!  If they eat rodents - they can't be all bad.

Glorious Greens~

Toward the end of our final set of loops - I asked Sondra if she wanted to go in front.  I should have asked long before & of course she did.  What fun we had cruising around together!   Following along -  reminded me of what a consistent training pace is :-)   One of my favorite quotes;  A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up & outpace.  -- Ovid 

It's so easy to backslide when you don't have a training partner & we've not had one in years.  It was part of my concern when trying to condition Farah for what ended up being our yearly endurance ride - but she managed just fine :-)  We finished with a gallop up & back into camp.

Farah enjoys the day~

Roxi & I have known each other almost 20-years & it was our first ride together!  I'm sorry I didn't get a photo of us - but we were too busy having fun :-)  (A mutual friend in WA who'd purchased Butch's horse in the late 90's - had introduced us at a ride.)  After our friends headed home, I washed Farah down & let her loose like I used to during our lunch breaks.  She rolled, rolled some more, then gave a hard shake before wandering off to graze.  I sat at a table in the shade eating my nuts & grapes.  

May~

Even if very warm, mid-80's - with the air fairly heavy - it was a picture perfect afternoon.  The haze preceding the promised rain already moving in across the sky.  It was just under an hours drive to Farah's barn - where I fed her the last of the carrots & put her in her stall.

Our route~

By the time I pulled in at home, the Bronco had logged a 95-mile round-trip.  Not exactly close, none of the riding places are - but it was Grand to move out & enjoy such a fun ride!  I was bitten yet again by the endurance bug - he's a nasty little critter.  As I get older - I've had mixed emotions about the sport.  Very difficult with a horse like Farah~