Last Ride of August~

 Another cooler day!  It had ready been ten-days since my last ride!  I've been working almost non-stop to try to get the marsh & woods back in shape after a month.  I wanted to get in one more ride in August. I stopped by Happy Trails & caught up with Mari Jo before leaving.  I'd forgotten my Garmin - my left wrist felt empty.  Shadow's computer at least keeps track of the miles too.

Mari Jo's Pansey's are running everywhere.

I decided - as I usually do - on my regular route to Malvern.  I like having a nice spot to take a short break halfway through the ride.  Green is still the predominate color, no leaves turning yet.

Wild grapes growing over everything~

The wild grapes are overrunning everything they can climb on.  This includes the property line in the woods between our place & the neighbors to the north.  I had to cut back vines running over seven feet onto our side.

Beaver dam~

The beavers have returned & been busy working on their dam.  It's increased in size from last year.  I didn't feel quite up to par today, so took my time getting to the park.

Boehner Pond~

The afternoon was just stellar for the end of summer coming up fast.  I won't be sorry to see it go!  It wasn't an easy one for me with the damage to my knee when I clumsily fell from the car.  The knee still isn't 100% & let me know it today.

Wabash Landing to be~

Returning north, I stopped to take a photo of all the land cleared at the edge of Malvern.  This area will soon be covered with houses.

Iowa Views~

Not a lot further though, I was back to quintessential Iowa views.  The yellows of the Hairy Sunflowers & Goldenrod so bright against the greens. 

By the time I returned to the Explorer, there were several cars in the small parking area.  More riders leaving on the trail.

August on the Trail~

In the month of August, we've enjoyed almost daily changes in the weather.  With off & on-again rain, then heat & humidity, it had been two-weeks since I'd been on the trail.  Today was mid-80's with some relief from the humidity.  The weather forecast for the weekend & next week - is for record breaking heat - possibly in the triple digits.

Following the Pilot car~

Mari Jo had warned me of the paving project on 278th.  Turning north off Gaston, I was first following the Pilot car.  I was also driving the Bronco.  The Explorer has been in the shop for repair from the bad hailstorm in July.  After the Bronco had been sitting for several years, I had the hood painted a few months ago.  Of course - now the Bronco's hood has damage too, just not nearly as bad.  There's a difference in a vehicle made from Steele & one from Aluminum. 

On the trail~

It felt great to enter the green shade of the trail!  Everything is so lush, it's like a mid-west rainforest.  If we had such a place!  The humidity is higher though, with mature corn fields on either side of the trail.  Especially on days when there's not much breeze.   Today was one of those.

Bicycle Tree~

I stopped by Little Red's Automotive to schedule maintenance on the Bronco.  On my way I couldn't miss the Bicycle Tree & new covered picnic area.  The tree was originally in a small park next the grocery store in Malvern.  When the grocery burned down, the tree was damaged.  Now, the artist has repaired the structure & it seems to have found a new home.

Face on the tree~

Colorful, very inventive & somewhat surreal.  Smokey & I weren't quite sure how we felt about it.  I'm sure there are more bikes than I would believe to recycle each year.  At least these make a statement!  I'm sure the covered picnic table will get a lot of use too.

The treetop~

We retreated back to the park.  Having made better time than I'd expected I was ready for my break.  It was a picture-perfect day for the middle of August.  Such a blue sky & the evenly spaced white fluffy clouds drifting by. 

A summer day in Iowa~

I talked to Butch for a few minutes.  Yesterday he was in Oregon & the temperature was 105.  Today, he was passing Red Bluff; CA & the temperature was 109.  

As I turned back north, the little breeze I'd enjoyed on the way out, was gone.  The late afternoon sun felt & looked strong out in the open.

Hairy Sunflower - Helianthus hirsutus

The sunflowers along the trail are in full bloom & add such a bright spot of yellow to the green backdrop!

Wild Grape~ 

Wild Grape is again taking over any area of the trail where it gets an opportunity!  Trees are fair game & many are covered with the vines.  It's beautiful & provides a carpet of leaves that cover all the broken limbs on the ground.

Back in Silver City, I went into Happy Trails to catch up with Mari Jo.  The two-day Rooster Tail ride this last weekend drew many riders from the Omaha area.  Restaurants & shops were busy!  Since it rained on Sunday, I was surprised the trail didn't show more damage.  I understand many of the riders opted for car rides home.  I was happy to have the trail to myself!