Imogene to Shenandoah ~

 Another perfect day this week!  Butch came home Saturday afternoon & by Sunday we were loading the bikes.  It would be Butch's first ride on his new e-bike & pulling Finn's trailer.

Butch & Finn - ready to rumble!

We decided to drive to Imogene & ride south to Shenandoah.  We'd ridden north from Shenandoah March of 2021 & not made it quite to Imogege before turning back.

On the trail~

It didn't take Butch long at all to decide this bike is a huge improvement over the first one he'd tried. Finn though, was not happy we'd forgotten his flat pad & instead had to use his travel bed.  It was hard for him to stand up.  He loves standing the whole ride.

Very low river!

Riding a pedal assist bike didn't slow my trail companions down much.  Finn likes going fast too!

On one of the longer bridges~

The wild Plums were still in bloom,  it was a cloudless day & so nice to be out in the countryside. 

East Nishnabotna River~

As we rode closer to town, we were soon on the longest bridge of the 64-mile length of the Wabash trail.

On the East Nishnabotna Bridge~

We'd seen no other riders all morning. 

Butch's new bike & Finn in his trailer!

Once we entered the park, there were more families out enjoying the day.  Finn barked at some boys & they got a kick out of seeing him in his trailer. 

Butch continued on from the park.  We were soon riding down the main street of town.  I finally figured out where we were going!  Kats Koolerz ice cream!

Parked in Shenandoah~

There's a nice grassy area with picnic tables in the shade.  Our first ice cream of the season really hit the spot!  We started back toward Imogene.  This section of trail is a nice climb, but the bike's made it doable with greater ease.

Taking a short break on our way back - I returned to Shadow to find my front tire totally flat!  Butch tried to pump it up, but it lost air as fast as he could pump.  My Garmin said we were only two miles from the Explorer.  

Butch & Finn went on ahead to get the car.  I told Butch I'd start walking the bike to the nearest road.  As luck would have it - the trail crossed over on a high overpass.  The way down to the road was steep & totally overgrown.   I continued on - thankful for the "walk" setting on the computer.   That gave me up to 3.5 mph of assist by the motor. 

Shadow- lame in front :-)

I walked on to the next road at the edge of Imogene.  Butch had driven to the first road, but when I called, soon came back a mile & found me!  

When I opened the back door of the Explorer to see Finn - he leaped into my arms!  Butch said he had been SO upset when he realized I wasn't with them.  He'd whined, barked & tried every way he knew to tell Butch they had forgotten me!  

Butch was sure Finn would have taken off in a split second to go find me!  He insisted on sitting on my lap for the trip home!  What a loyal little guy!  I was so very lucky my husband was riding with me & we weren't further out.

We spent some time on Monday at The Bike Way in Omaha getting the flat fixed.  It was a Locust thorn that had ripped almost a 1/4" hole in the tube.  The tires Cannondale put on this bike were a substitute for what it was advertised as having & not as good...  We'll be changing them out!

The Smell of Rain~

A warm, 70's but overcast day.  Almost no wind & the slightest hint of moisture in the air!  A perfect day for a ride.  Riding the trail, this time of year, says more than enough about our current drought status...

Ready to leave~

All was quiet both in town & at the park.  I couldn't decide which direction I wanted to go.  Having the trestle out has shortened my favorite ride to half the usual distance.  I decided to Cowgirl up & ride south to take a look at the White Cloud Trestle.

A mile south of Malvern~

The uphill grind starts at the edge of town & continues for miles.  I surprised myself though.  It didn't seem as difficult as I'd remembered.

Heading south~

The last time I'd ridden this way was in July of last year.

10-miles to Imogene~

The old sign is still hanging on to the tree & still legible.  I wished in the worst way I felt good enough to ride all the way to Imogene.  If I'd had Butch to pick me up, I would have gone for it.  With my leg as it is, I seriously doubt I could do the round trip these days - even riding Smokey.

Equipment Tracks~

The limestone surface, as I approached the trestle was a total disaster.  Heavy equipment had rutted the trail to the point it was almost impossible to ride.  When the surface is soft, everything sinks.  Then when it dries, it becomes hard as rock...  I had read where the north end of the trail at Council Bluffs had been dragged - but nothing has been mentioned about this area.

North approach to the White Cloud Trestle~

The old 1910 trestle bridge certainly looks different now...  The work had been posted as complete the 24th of February.  The new decking has a non-slip surface, which will be nice on frosty mornings & probably last for years & years.

Smokey on the White Cloud Trestle~

The new railings though, look so incredibly raw against the rusted steel.  I'm sure it would cost more than the budget provides to stain them.

South approach to the White Cloud Trestle~

All the surrounding trees & shrubs had been severely cut back.  I decided to walk down & check things out from below.

Looking up~

It's quite a view from either topside or at water level.  The clouds thickened as the afternoon advanced.  I actually thought I might get wet on my way back.

Shore view West Nishnabotna River~

The level of the river plainly shows the effect of our three years of drought.  The weather forecast is saying we'll get rain before the end of the week.  Of course, we've heard that many times before these last few months.

Turn around~

Smokey & I continued on to what I call the narrow bridge before turning back toward Malvern.  It seems even quieter out this way than at Silver Creek.  Our way back was fun, since the uphill grade becomes mostly downhill on the return!  

Back at the park, the sun was trying to peek through the clouds as I loaded the bike & headed for home.  I enjoyed the ten-mile ride, even if I do miss my usual route.

Seeking Shade ~

 We're now full on into the hot summer months.  I'm a weather watcher - especially this time of year when we'll be lucky to get maybe one or two days cool enough I want to ride.  The heat & humidity bring out the biting flies, sometimes attacking even through my spray of Deep Woods Off.

A Sea of Soy~

Mari Jo had ridden on Monday in the heat.  I didn't want to be a total whimp & today was to be the most decent before a  run of hot days going up into the triple digits.  With a temperature bordering 90, at least the humidity was tolerable.

Under the Walnuts~

The sun was so strong & it wasn't a mile, as the sweat started dripping down into my eyes, I realized I'd forgotten my visor.  The poor thing is so worn out after so many years, I'd taken it in the office to try to find a replacement on-line.  It's a Sunbelt & the most comfortable ever.   The problem is - no one has any...  I finally found one that looked very close, so I ordered it & we'll see when it comes. 

Cooking hot on the Trestle~

I could feel the sun burning right through the sunscreen on my arms.  I thought about wetting down my bandana & wearing it, but it was just too heavy.  The coolness wouldn't last long anyway.  Peddling past the park I stopped at the arch in Malvern, again happy to find shade!

Smokey under the arch~

I haven't ridden any further south for a long time.  With Butch gone, I can't do the point-to-point rides where he would pick me up at the far end.  It seems strange we're coming up on a year since he was laid-off at Agriland.  Little did we expect he'd be driving a semi OTR!  

Smokey & the Malvern Bike!

I decided to ride a little further & check out the trail going on south from Malvern to Imogene.  The first time I rode this section was in April of 2020.  I'd like to do it again, but it's a tough 14-mile section & the round-trip is one I'll save for a cooler day!  On the way, was the big bike art installation.  The original town sign is a recent addition.  I think Smokey looks so sporting!  

Cool Blues~

Again, in July the stinging nettles are so showy & I love seeing the last of the color for the season.  Once I'd reached the first bridge, I turned back & went to the park for my rest break.  There's usually a breeze.  The leaves of the cottonwoods were rustling as I rode under them.

My round-trip - 17.69 miles~

With all the trees that have gone down over the past few years, there's now more direct sun than ever on this stretch of trail.  It's the shade that draws riders in the summer months.  Returning to Happy Trails - I was more than happy to go inside & cool off!

Butch called when I returned home, he was just leaving St. Joseph, MO.  I told him he should come up & spend the night at home!  He agreed, since he'll be crossing over to the west again with plenty of time to make his destination.  He was passing the athletic field when a practice was letting out.  The kids made motions for him to blow his horn, he had to oblige!  An unexpected but incredibly wonderful evening home!  

Imogene to Shenandoah ~

 A Perfect!  Totally Perfect day!  Sunshine, mid-50's & no wind!  We'd made too many plans to fit in to the day.  I was so appreciative of Butch's support in taking me to Imogene & dropping Breezy & I off to make the ride south to Shenandoah.  There were no cars parked at the trail head.  I used to know almost exactly how long it would take me to ride a portion of trail.   Now, that time has about doubled since my injury.  I told him to expect me in anywhere from 1+ to 2 hours.

On our way~

It was a totally quiet morning.  On a weekend, farther north, the trail is usually busier than I like.  I hadn't known what to expect - but having it to myself was more than I could have asked for.  This would be the first real test of the new rear cassette.

From the Walnut Creek bridge~

I was a little apprehensive as Butch drove away.  I'd not ridden this section of trail since May of 2020 on Speedy.  I'd left from Malvern & ridden over 23-miles on that day.  I'd also been in great shape, riding a bike I knew would get me there.  From Imogene, it's only nine-miles, but it's a more difficult section of the trail, with a couple steep, long grades.  I had no idea, if the new gears would be what I needed.

Down a beautiful hall of trees~

Soon, my apprehension vanished!  The bike was shifting great, the low gears much more reminiscent of my Townie & useable!  I was working hard enough to remove my coat by the second mile in.

Further along~

March of this year, Butch & I had left from Shenandoah on our Electra's & ridden north on the trail.  It's a brutal uphill grade & we'd worked hard for three-miles, in a stiff wind, before we called it quits & turned back.  I planned to try to text Butch when I reached our turn-around spot, knowing I'd be three-miles out.

At the Pond!

I recognized the road when I came to it & soon after saw the little pond where we'd taken a break.  Now, I was on the downhill portion of the trail, all the way to the flats on the far side of the river.  Here I was, almost to town & still hadn't seen anyone on the trail.  Only one big white tail deer, had stood her ground until I was within a few hundred feet, before jumping away into the timber.

Nishnabotna River Bridge~

I hadn't ridden in two-weeks, but felt pretty good considering.  I used all the lower gears, first worked so well.  I could continue forward, had some bite to the peddles & my legs weren't flying round-n-round.

Breezy at the town sign~

Sportsman's park is such a nice place.  A swimming pool, playground, picnic areas & of course the trail.  I continued to the Train Station & heard Butch call my name as I approached.  He'd enjoyed his two-hours of quiet on a beautiful sunny day.  My speed hasn't been anywhere near as fast I used to ride, but it was my most pleasant ride on the Verve to date.  My stats~  

When I returned, Butch had me ride on the paving in the parking area.  He told me he wanted me to go through every single gear.  I did & it was obvious the lower 9-gears are what I will use now.  The upper gears I made it through, gaining speed with each stroke, but my knees revolted!  I'm sure the top 5 gears  will seldom be used.

Butch & I have been discussing my future enjoyment of the trail.  Things have changed for me since the injury.  My strong leg has become the weaker one - though I'm still hopeful for continued improvement.  I've changed from a bike with more forward pedals, to one with the pedals under the seat.  The frame is definitely too big for me.  When I have to make an unexpected stop, it's difficult to get off the seat & dismount.  Then, of course there's the gearing issues, now resolved.  I may be bike shopping again, looking for something - somewhere between the Townie & the Verve~

Exceedingly Warm~

 We're moving into the warmest/hottest part of our summer season...  Not my favorite time, since working or riding outside can be somewhat miserable.  I like doing both!  Today, slated as the coolest for the next two-weeks, was a ride day.

I unloaded Breezy in Silver City & stopped to catch up on the news with Mari Jo.  I didn't stay long, since just standing in the sun was enough to bring on the sweat.  The trail, with it's shade is always appealing.

Breezy enjoys the shade~

The Walnuts provide the most beautiful canopy.  Our big Walnut in the front yard, sustained it's first injuries ever, in the big wind storm that rolled through overnight on the 8/9th.  (Wind gusts of 60-80 mph were recorded.  last Sat., Butch used a 24ft. ladder to cut away broken limbs.  One is still so high up he couldn't reach it.  

Bright Blues~

It's always a somewhat magical feeling to be out in nature.  My addiction of choice.  I'm thankful I found a replacement for all the time I used to spend in an actual saddle.  At least Breezy' s saddle has helped me to stay in shape, more fun than the gym!

On the Trestle~

The humidity was very high, but a slight wind from the south helped a little.  

Break spot~

The coolness inside the Hwy 34 underpass is always welcome in this kind of weather.

The train~

I'd left a little early today & heard the train coming from a way off!  I put on some speed & managed to make it in time for a picture!

At Agriland, the big fans were blowing & Butch has several projects underway.  He was under one of them when I rode in.  Soaked half-way to my waist, I headed for the front of the closest fan!  A coke over ice revived me.  By the time I decided to leave, the high haze of smoke had begun to move back in & the clouds blocked some of the sun's heat.

Nearing Keys Road~

The photo doesn't do justice to the smoke in the air.  Omaha is right on the edge of where the smoke from all the wildfires is moving across the US.  A friend in Ohio - said the sky is white with it.  Here, the weatherman says it's keeping our temperatures down a degree or two.  It won't help going into the end of the month, when we're to get  feel's like temperatures in the triple digits.

Four-miles to go~

I appreciated the break from the direct sun on the way back.  I saw five riders out today, the most I've seen so far this season with the exception of the organized ride in June.  Finishing off the 17-miles, I cooled off in Mari Jo's shop before heading home.  It may be a while, before I tackle riding again.  It's the time of year the corn sweats!  You can smell it in the air, some evenings.  Into the 90's & humidity isn't fun & I'll take the comfort of AC!

Challenging Ride ~

 Another of a string of perfect spring days!  How lucky can we be?  Probably the nicest spring weather we've had since our move to Iowa.  Butch met me as I parked the Bronco by his shop.  By 2:30 p.m. I was on the trail & heading south toward Imogene.

One of the many bridges~

For whatever reason, I wasn't quite up to par today.  Later, I realized it was probably because I'd ridden on Monday & hadn't given myself enough time-off.  Regardless, I was looking forward to seeing a section of the trail I've only ridden three or four times.

Perfect quiet~

When I stopped to take an electrolyte, I couldn't help but notice the quiet!  It was so perfectly quiet - I could have heard a pin drop.  With light winds, just the occasional chirping of the birds broke the stillness.

On the White Cloud Trestle~

I'd forgotten about the trestle bridge here.  Slightly shorter than the one over Silver Creek, it's still an amazing tribute to railroad history.  About eight-miles in, another rider passed me.  He looked familiar & sure enough, it was Mari Jo's friend Doug.  We stopped to chat for a few minutes.  He had turned back north, having ridden from Mineola!

Just a mile or so further, the trail maintenance truck was blocking the entire trail, with the drivers side door open.  I was in the middle of the long, hard, uphill grade.  I was just ready to announce my presence, when the gentleman got back in the truck & moved it further up the trail.  Back on Breezy - it was only another half-mile until again - here he was.  This time, he said he would move further ahead.  

At Cottonwood Pass!

Not long after, a road crossed the trail.  The truck was stopped & on the far side was a tractor with the brush blade, cutting the side of the trail.  I skirted by on the drivers side.  With the crest of the hill behind me, it was a relief to be able to make time.  I think I had used every one of Breezy' s gears to make it to this point!

Out on the "flats"~

A Great Blue Heron had taken to the air just as I reached the bridge before this one.  He was huge & he was so beautiful.  As I stopped for a short break, it was only a minute or two until I heard the tractor coming behind me.  He was making good speed out in the open.

Close to town~

By now, I was feeling a bit pushed...  I knew I was only a couple miles out from town & it would be a relief to be off the trail & out of the way...  (I checked the page when we got home, but nothing was mentioned about the maintenance work on this section.)

Rough trail~

For the last several miles, the trail surface looked like this...  Heavily rutted by a tractor tire on the left, piles of loose rock on the right.  It made it technical & more tiring, with my limited depth perception, to find a track for Breezy' s tires.

By the time Imogene was in front of me, I stopped too suddenly & lost control of the bike.  It was a slow motion fall onto my bad knee.  Thankfully - no damage done - to either me - or Breezy.  But, I knew I'd tackled this section a little too soon.  Last time, I'd had over 380- miles under my wheels, this time, not even 200.  I was also amazed Speedy & I had actually done this section round-trip!  I don't think that will happen this season!

I heard the Bronco, as Butch pulled in to pick me up.  We'd decided on dinner at the Emerald Isle.  The only place to eat in town & I was starved!  Now, I've tested myself, I'm going back to being more sensible!  At least for the time being.  :-)

The Green Cathedral~

Today was The Day!  I could hardly wait to head to Malvern & get Speedy on the trail.  My goal has been to ride more than 25-miles.  The Wabash from Malvern to Imogene is 13.6 - I planned on doing it round-trip.

Speedy under the Malvern Arch~

The little arch in Malvern was green now, with blooms!  The weather was perfect.  Sunny, low humidity & not a lot of wind.  Starting out - the limbs of the huge trees arching overhead - green leaves so lush & the trail itself - blending into the shadows below - gave me pause.  It was the feeling of entering a great Cathedral.

Over the l o n g - bridge!

I'd done this stretch before.  My plan was to make as good a time as I could on the way out, then take it easy coming back.  I wanted to be back to Agriland by 5 & had left just a few minutes after 1.

Virginia Waterleaf!

It wasn't long though before I was stopping for a photo.  The Virginia Waterleaf was in full bloom!  Banks of blossoms up the sides of the hills, all along the trail~  I couldn't help but think of how each of the wildflowers has it's season, one after the other.  Almost as though planned for our maximum enjoyment.

Tree down!

I almost laughed when 5.5 miles out from Malvern, a tree had blown down over the trail!  This was so common in Western, WA - but the first I've seen here.  Luckily there was just enough room to squeeze under the high end & not get in the mud at the side of the trail.

Blackberry?!

One portion of the trail & only one, had quite a few vines, all in bloom.  It sure looks like blackberry to me.  I'm going to have to do this ride again, just so I can see the fruit to confirm the id.

Arrival - Imogene~

We'd made it to Imogene in 1:35 hours.  Speedy had been moving right along.  In retrospect, I was moving too fast.  I'd made the cardinal Endurance Newby mistake of increasing both speed & distance.  I took a ten-min. break, before turning back.

Rivers, running higher & muddy~

The first gradual climb out from Imogene was a killer.  After the stop, it took a while for my knees to decide they needed to continue.  I got off once & walked up one long grade.  The wind had picked up & was blowing right at me - of course.

Back to the trestle~

I just dug deep & kept on moving.  Forward motion always seems to do the trick!  Once I reached the Trestle, I knew we only had 4.5 miles to go!  Yippee!

Muddy~

I'd taken one electrolyte on my way out, then another before I left Imogene.  Now, I was down to one small drink of water left in my bottle.  I've learned the hard way - to save that last swallow.  I could have taken another electrolyte, but not without water.  Once I get my rack & pack I'll be able to carry an extra bottle.

Coming into Malvern~

There were three men on bikes up ahead.  As I got closer, I could see they were totally blocking the trail on the far side of the road.  They'd seen me approach.  I had to literally ride around them on the grass!  Rude!

Back at Agriland, I didn't see Butch, so rode right into the big shop, around all the equipment & out the far side where the Bronco was parked.  It was like riding on glass - so smooth - after all the miles of limestone.

I'd ridden 27.24 miles in 3:17 hrs. with a moving speed of 8.7 & 833 ft. of elevation gain.  I was born with a yearn for wide-open spaces.  Riding horses all the years I have - filled that need.  The bike is a working substitute.  A way to be out far enough - to hear the music of nature~