The Canopy is Closing!

 A totally perfect day - at least in my opinion!  Mid-60's & a high overcast, very little wind.  Time to get out on the trail!  This time of year, every ride, I see changes.  In just the past week, the growing corn shoots have turned most of the fields from the brown of bare earth, to the light green of growth!

Corn growing!

Mari Jo told me the Birds & Bee's riders had been through.  Thankfully, ahead of me & already at the park in Malvern.  They will be in the area through Monday, giving Mari Jo a busy weekend. 

On the trail!

Such a pretty sight - looking up & seeing the Walnuts opening their leaves!  Such smart trees, they are the first to lose their leaves in the fall & the last to open them in the spring.  It saves them from a lot of wind damage.  But even then - if one of the thankfully rare Derecho's come through - the trees seem to take the brunt of it.

Since it was a cool day & perfect riding weather, I decided to limit my stops & see just how quickly I could make it to Malvern.  When I combine riding once a week, with the mowing, I'm getting into better shape.

Smokey under the floral arch~

The arch is filling out fast & the Phlox is so showy in the shade! 

Phlox~

I stopped at the Depot to take my break & my timing was perfect!  Donnie called to say the Bronco was repaired!  I had to go see for myself!  He had found that the ignition module had not been replaced.  Just the coil...  I could hardly believe that - when I'd been told the original garage had replaced the module two times?  As Butch reminded me, there's a difference between parts changers & mechanics.  

Since I had the bike with me & the Explorer waiting in Silver City, I'll have a friend run me over  on Monday to pick the Bronco up.  Donnie had taken it out for a couple drives & said it's running just fine!  He has a Ford Truck with the same engine & same year.  Neither of us plan to get rid of either vehicle anytime soon!

The Bronco & Smokey~

I turned back south & realized the wind had come up & was blowing out of the north.  I had a good workout getting back to the Explorer.  I caught up with Mari Jo & drank my usual bottle of cold water before heading home.  

On the bridge, on the way north~

Now, I'll be splitting my time between keeping up with my mowing & riding!  I'm thankful Butch hired the yard mowing done.  The woods, marsh & around the Cabin will be plenty to try to keep up with!  In the winter when I'm cold, I look forward to summer.  Summer when it's cooking hot/humid, I look forward to winter :-)  Now, I look forward to the next time my husband comes home!

Winter's First Ride~

 I'd been weather watching, looking for a warmer day & less wind.  Today, we made it up to 50.  No wind, but cloudy - which made it seem colder.  I was excited to get Smokey out on what's my usual section of the Wabash.  

In front of Mari Jo's shop~

At Silver City, I had to get the obligatory photo of Smokey in front of Happy Trails!  

Butch made some changes to Smokey.  The rear rack that came with the bike, was almost impossible to attach my bag to.  We decided to switch it out for the Sunlite Gold Tec Disc.  We didn't realize the rear fender attached only to the rack, not to the hub.  Also, the attachment for a rear reflector wasn't the same as the rear light.  Those changes required some ingenuity on Butch's part!  Wire to attach the fender to the rack & electrical tape to keep the rear light in place.  Tomorrow, my husband has promised me he'll come up with a much nicer looking solution. :-)  I like the Sunlite rack so much better.

Derecho's mess!

This storm was the first December Derecho in Iowa's history.  It left us without power for three days & many more for much longer.  The trees along the trail took a terrible beating.  The volunteers have done a great job of getting all the big limbs cut & off the trail.

Smokey with the new rack~

Even most of the bridges were covered with sticks & twigs.  If I stopped, I tossed them over.  The great thing was, I didn't have to stop!  The gears are so nice & this bike so much easier for me to ride, it's a breeze to keep peddling down the trail!

Tree torn down~

There were lots of dead branches broken off, but seeing healthy trees down, is just that much less shade in the summer.

Almost to the Trestle~

It was like riding a slalom course!  I found out how handy the Cannondale is at avoiding ground clutter!  

On the Trestle over Silver Creek~

The temperature kept dropping.  I made it to the underpass of Hwy 34.

Turn around at 6+ miles~

I turned back but felt good enough I could have gone on the last couple miles to Malvern.  I was feeling a cold chill in the air, the sky looked like winter.

On the way back~

About three miles out of town I saw people walking the trail ahead.  Two friends who belong to the Mills Country Trail Board.  It was fun to exchange holiday greetings!  I was making great time!  When I downloaded my Garmin, my traveling speed was 7.5!  The fastest I've gone since before my injury!

In less than a mile, another rider was coming toward me - Mari Jo!  She'd been busy baking but finished in time to ride out & find me.  As we stopped, she said; "You were traveling!"  We rode back to town together & I kept up & didn't have to stop & take a break from peddling!  Mari Jo noticed how much easier this bike is for me.  I finished 12.5 miles & felt the best I have in forever.

Back at the shop, she wanted me to see her latest acquisition!  A gift from our mutual Veterinarian.  He'd had it in his greenhouse forever!

A tree grew into the bike!

Photos don't do it justice!

Growth around the spokes~

Mari Jo plans to display it outside the shop.  It will be quite the conversation piece!

I'm very happy the Cannondale is the answer to my riding woes...  It felt great to take on the trail without all the extra effort I had to expend on the Verve.  I felt lucky to get out, since next week, winter is supposed to let us know it's really here!

The Wind BLEW!

Sunday night - the humidity was so thick!  I called Butch out to the porch - I actually think you could smell the sweet odor of corn in the air!  I didn't have much hope - Monday would be near decent enough - for me to get in a ride...

Monday!  We woke to beautiful blue skies, sunshine & slightly more moderate temperatures.  I started chores & let Nika out.  Walking to the office at the west end of the house, I looked out to see a huge, dark, ominous cloud hanging in the NW.  Well - now - I'm thinking a nasty thunderstorm...  NOT!  Within seconds, a HUGE wind hit full force!  It slammed into the house like a runaway train!  I ran for the back door to call Nika in!

The biggest blast had passed - when I took this.

She'd been caught at the far east end of the house & came running - into the wind!  Leaves filling the air, branches sailing by!  At FULL speed now - she was flying - as she made the turn & came up the hill headed for the steps!  The next blast about lifted her up on to the deck!  No steps needed!

Moving on past us~

I took a couple photos - they don't do the Derecho credit!  Offutt Air Force Base clocked it at 68 mph.  It tore one decent sized branch off our Walnut.  Lots of branches were down in the timber, but we kept power.  I had no idea such a thing existed - but I do now!  The weatherman said the storm was 60-miles wide & 260-miles long.

It left, almost as fast as it had arrived. Butch said it hit in Malvern just minutes later.  The sun returned!  All the heavy humidity was blown away!  Fine then!  My ride was still on.

On the trestle - toward Silver City

Butch picked me up & I decided to leave from Agriland & ride my usual section in reverse.  I didn't even think about it - until I was out there - the possibility of trees being down.  There were none, but branches were scattered everywhere.

Remodel of the Pavilion at Silver City!

Making great time to Silver City, I was happy to see the pavilion is getting much needed repairs!  I sure missed the cold coke I usually have before my return trip!  Mary Jo takes Monday's off, so I didn't even get a cold bottle of water!

Speedy, begging for nuts~

Speedy keeps gaining more bad habits - watching me as I at a few peanuts - at least she's not as pushy as Farah can be!

Time Capsule~

Looking forward to the re-opening!

The wind was actually blowing - of course right as me - as I left.  We've decided the wind here - blows whatever direction you don't want it to - or sometimes - all directions at once!  Once back on the trail, it was peaceful & quiet.  I love having it to myself.  I've reminded myself too - all too soon - the greens will be turning gold.  Then - I'll have months - of the great wide-open!

The way back~

The day had warmed & the humidity was climbing.  I was happy to get back to Agriland & more than happy when Butch offered dinner out :-)