I had to laugh - when reading through Facebook posts this morning. I think everyone in town was out taking snow pictures! Sounds crazy I know - after all the snow we've had. We'd just enjoyed our first two sunshine days, climbing above freezing! It felt so warm! Sitting out with Nika yesterday afternoon, was almost like being under a waterfall, with all the melting snow dripping off the deck roof.
A wet, heavy snow~
Butch didn't get back from Sioux Falls until after midnight with the Choir. All was quiet. Early this morning though, the white stuff started falling & falling & falling. We've easily another 3" on top of what was still on the ground.
Woods~
I tiptoed around this morning, taking photos from the deck & porch.
Cabin from the house~
The look - is totally Winter with a capitol W! Most of us I think are totally tired of Winter! With a forecast taking us into the mid-40's next week - it will be interesting to see all of this melt!
Front Porch~
This storm though, isn't wind driven, so the porch & the deck stayed dry! A small win in an otherwise ongoing trial by shovel! :-)
This blizzard hit like a freight train last night - winds gusting to well over 30-40+ mph & so loud it was a roar. Our wind gauge is getting a workout. The snow has been really fine, not even really flakes. School was cancelled, Butch had a snow day :-) When he went out to tackle shoveling - he said there was at least four inches on the walks.
It's a heavier, snow than we usually get too, but when the big gusts of wind hit it blows sideways. Just more of a messy storm, the non-stop wind is getting old. It also takes the 30° temperature feel like it's down in the teens.
Woods from the back deck~
I've gone out a couple times, but spent the afternoon in the kitchen. Chicken & rice soup sure sounded good for our dinner!
Poor little tree frog :-(
Our poor little tree frog from Washington, is hiding from the cold!
Back Deck~
It seems no matter what - snow goes everywhere! This one is so wet & sticky, it's too heavy for my blower. Nika's outside, heated bed, had a puddle of water in the middle, so is drying now. Usually, the snow doesn't blow so far in.
Nika~
As much as this particular Buhund likes the snow - today she prefers to be inside. We'd just sat down with our latte's when she came in, looked at Butch, then over at the fireplace. "Where's the heat?" Butch got up & turned it on. It's a good day to huddle indoors & pray the heat stays on!
The first few years of my life, we lived in Creston, just a few blocks from my Grandparents house. By March of 1954, my parents decided to move to Boulder, CO.
First Home in Creston~
I missed my Grandparents & friends, but I did love our house in Boulder. I had a playroom in the basement & we were just blocks from the foothills. Even with trips every summer to visit, it wasn't long until we were moving back to Iowa in November of 1956.
First home in Boulder, winter 1954
This time to live in Greenfield, where I started elementary school.
My fraternal Grandfather was quite a businessman & entrepreneur. From the family stories I've heard & the paperwork I inherited from my father's collection, Grandpa Jim had an Auto Livery & Taxi company, a Portable Hammer Mill & owned real estate both in Iowa & Missouri. In 1947 he sold a rooming house in Creston, for the new Union County Court House to be built.
I was impressed with the grand scale of the building, built in 1901. On the register of National Historic Places.
Beautiful columns~
We ended the day at the city park. The smell of the lilac's drifting through the air as sweet as honey & almost overwhelming.
Entrance to the City Park~
It was quiet, just the sound of a lawn mower breaking the early evening quiet. The fish were jumping, surprising Nika! A great blue Heron flew the length of the lake & settled up at the shallow end to find his dinner.
Summit Lake, Sunset~
I remembered those fourth-of-July evenings when we'd bring our blankets, sparklers & wait for the fireworks show to begin. So beautiful with the reflection on the water. Afterward, Grandpa Jim would take us all out for ice cream! The lemon was my favorite!
Fishing, 1955
I loved to fish, just not bait the hook! Mom's photo above won a photo contest & was published in the Creston paper.
This ride had been a goal since earlier in the spring. Butch & I had driven around the area of the farm to see if we could find any other Grade B roads. We not only found one, but also found where it met up with the Wabash Trace. My idea was born - to ride from the farm to Mineola. Of course I'd had grand plans to ride miles & miles of this trail - before I found out it was exclusive to bikes...
Past that pesky herd of cattle~
I'd had an appointment with the retinal specialist in the morning. My eyes were so dilated I could hardly see a thing, so we had lunch at the Gathering Place on our way home. There had been a light rain in the morning as we were driving into Omaha. After lunch, it was still relatively cool & the rain had stopped. I hurried to the farm & saddled Farah. I had the horse trailer still hitched, so the plan was... If I wasn't back to the farm by the time Butch was off work, he'd come out & take the Bronco to find & pick us up!
Corn turning golden~
I sprayed us both down with all the bug spray I could. Now, it's the mosquito's... Twenty-two cases of humans with WNV this season & 14 hospitalized. I'm thankful Farah has had the vaccine for many years now. There was a light breeze, but the road had been freshly rocked.
"Ditch Weed" :-)
The photo above is for my WA & CO friends :-) Yes, wild ditch weed does grow in the ditches, but I doubt it would bring the big bucks the legal growers get! We made good time all the way to the two silo's - the furthest north we'd gone.
Almost to the Grade B Road~
As we passed Jean's house, Farah wanted to stop, but they weren't home. We did take a short grazing break at the silo's. Next, a right turn onto Cary road. I'd forgotten it was still gravel for a way.
From gravel to dirt~
We were going forward, east, down the steep hill & onto the dirt. Sweet relief! Again, no way could or would I road ride without shoes. Even with steel, I kept our pace to Farah's nice little 4.5 mph walk.
On the dirt~
I was surprised at how washed out & rutted the road had become since Butch had driven the truck on it. Some of the washouts were close to a foot deep. It was so beautiful out here though. Quiet & just the occasional buzz of a fly.
To the Wabash!
It was just under five-miles to the Wabash. Farah recognized it & set a pace like she thought we were going all the way to Council Bluffs. I wish we had been.
Looking back the way we'd come~
Since the sun had definitely won out over the cloud cover, the heat & humidity had shot up. It was great to be in the shade of the trees. I often think of how beautiful this state & all the US was back in the day, before it went under the plow or loggers axe.
Cooler & beautiful on the trail~
Linus had mentioned there was at least once bridge & we soon came to it. It looked sturdy & Farah was happy to cross. It seemed to have a slight tilt to it, but I think it was more the way I see things now.
Soon, we were at the Barrus Road crossing. No traffic, so we hustled across to the far side.
Crossing Barrus Road~
Now, it reminded me of sections of the Centennial Trail, where the trail parallels a road. There were a few cars, but nothing like the traffic we used to see in WA.
Mineola sign - between the ears~
It was fun to line up the town sign between Farah's ears as she checked out a dog on the far side. I had just stopped her as we'd crossed a second bridge to take a photo, when we were buzzed by a group of at least five bike riders! I'd felt Farah tighten up & in the next second they were flying by just off my left stirrup! Rude... Farah reacted even faster than I had. She snaked her neck to the left & barred her teeth in a direct threat at the last rider to pass! He looked shocked as he took evasive action & actually apologized!
I called Kathy to let her know the her crazy customer with the horse was in town & going to come by for a photo. :-) She & Wayne met us out front. Wayne with a nice fresh apple & Kathy went to the kitchen for peeled carrots! Farah politely took turns taking a bites of each :-)
Thrown in the Hoosegow?
Kathy had a pretty good idea of how we'd gotten there. She's involved with the Iowa Heritage Foundation - local trail organization. I think we were lucky we weren't thrown in the Hoosegow! Lets face it, Farah would have hardly fit! We didn't leave so much as a mark on the trail surface.
Looking West~
We trotted up the big hill past the Lutheran Church, on Main street, before turning south on 8th. A couple sitting on their front porch waved as we went by. Coming up on the last hill before Jean's house, Farah dropped her head, took the bit & broke into a huge gallop all the way to Jean's driveway! There was no way she wasn't going to stop to see her friends!
Farah's friends, Jean & Don!
Farah is totally enamored of Don! She gives him kisses & acts like he is the top man in her life! I have no idea how Don has managed this friendship - but he could certainly have another career as a horse whisperer! While we were talking, Butch pulled up in his truck? Still waiting for his new hearing aids, he had misunderstood the plan. He went back for the Bronco, but by that time we were almost to the farm.
Almost back to the farm!
He'd flown past us on the last leg, heading for a turn-around spot & Farah was furious as she watched her trailer go by! The expression on her face was priceless. Something like; "How could he have possibly missed seeing us?!"
Our Route
When he came along side, I told him to just go on, we only had a mile to go & were at that stage where the tough get going! Whether it's twelve rock hard road miles, or the fifty of a race, those last miles are priceless. It's where you know you are a team & you have accomplished a great goal.
A bath before the mosquito's came out, more spray, dinner & Farah was bedded for the night.
The light rains came later than forecast - then the winds started picking up a little after 2 a.m., when a gust woke me. The much anticipated snow was falling soon after! We woke to a world of white, swirling, dry flakes of snow... So beautiful & so white!
Looks like winter~
As I write this we're at 13 degrees with 8-14 mph. winds.
Back deck~
With the winds coming from about every direction, it makes no difference which way your house faces, everything is covered.
The Cottonwood~
When the gusts really pick up & the wind howls around the walnut outside our office window, it really sounds like we're in the middle of a blizzard.
Backyard, looking SW
I heard a story yesterday of a storm where there wasn't all that much snow accumulation, but the winds were so high, for so long, drifts covered the cars! I guess that's why it was so busy at our little town grocery last evening.
Snow plow~
Now, the plows are coming by~
Truck 2 & 3~
They came in a row of three, sliding sideways - with the weight of the plow, as they came around the top corner. The city truck is out too, they went by up on Sharp Street. With the rain coming first, the city was unable to put down ice melt, so the streets are like skating rinks. (Years ago, I used to plow condominium properties outside Denver, with my Dodge Ramcharger. It was so much fun!)
School is closed, Butch went to the bus barn & did the mail route. He's out now at the apt. building. I could tell he was almost looking forward to using the snow blower :-)
Today dawned brisk & sunny! Just enough wind for a decent chill too. For the first time this season, I wore my old, wonderful warm, but breathable tights that Diane made for me 100-years ago. A light weight thermal shirt cut the cold too.
I picked Farah up & headed north - a real change for us. In just 15-miles I was pulling into the Wabash Trail parking at Council Bluffs. Only a couple cars in the lot, so I had plenty of room to pull the Bronco & trailer off to one side along the grass.
At the north end~
There was a ton of large truck traffic on the road, fully loaded side loaders full of dark dirt. Lots of excavation going on somewhere. My plan was to head south & see if we'd have horse trail to the break spot that the bike riders call "Margaretville". I didn't exactly remember where it had started, from our first & only ride here last February.
We Did have light!
I'd put my light weight jacket on, but figured I'd be removing it shortly. Wrong! Instead I was zipping it up & putting on the gloves that I'd thankfully left in the pockets!
Wooded Trail~
To see a photo - it looks remote, when in fact, the early part of the trail takes you along a busy road just off to our left. Lots of noise everywhere, grain bins with blower fans going, the traffic, trains in the distance etc.
Limestone surface~
Farah doesn't have shoes, the limestone surface was literally as hard a concrete. So strange that it can be so hard when dry - then so soft when wet.
Soon you come to the longest of the many bridges. Of course we're used to bridges :-)
Between the Ears - Signage~
The fact that the Horse Trail is also a Mountain Bike trail is bit disconcerting. As mountain bikes began to discover the tree farm trails in WA, the usual issues arose. Those same issues occur here. There are several hills that are blind & blind turns too. Since the parking lot was so empty - I really didn't expect that we'd run into anyone.
Can you see it?
Just below Farah's nose in the photo above is wire. The rusted wire blends in So very well to the leaves & debris on the ground. I never leave a trail! Farah's coat has lightened two shades in the last two weeks. Her summer chocolate is long gone, replaced by winters two-tone gold.
Looking down on the limestone bike trail~
It was one of those stellar days of fall - that are so rich in sight & smell I never want them to end. So nice to head out & just Go somewhere - no loops, no looking for miles & just finding perimeter fences.
A break spot for the bikes in someone's "yard"
The place above, seems to be a rest spot for the bike riders. The usual cheap beer cans in the trash container. No real obstacles, someone had cut small bushes & branches off the trail in places. Farah wasjust cruzing along on a loose rein.
Natural arch~
I hadn't looked at my GPS route from Feb., it was more fun to recognize different things as we went. The Squirrels were about the only wildlife we saw - busy gathering walnuts this time of year.
High on a hill~
By now, we were about four-miles out. The noise of town had faded, things had gotten quiet & so peaceful. Just the sounds of the birds, the breeze & Farah's hooves crunching the dry leaves on the trail.
Views~
When we made it to the territorial views & were still on horse trail I was so happy! I didn't remember & we had ridden it from the other direction - if we'd be able to get this far & indeed we had!
The never-ending beauty of the trail~
As we came up on five-miles, the only time we'd had to broach the limestone, was to cross a bridge, or now, go through the underpass. This one had the designation of Dumfries - the historic name of the old town that had been in the area of Margaretville.
Going under~
Once through, it was just a short distance until we saw our destination! No one was around, it was past our lunch time, so I dismounted to let Farah graze on what grass we could find. We heard a vehicle coming? A truck was driving up on the limestone & pulled in to park. A couple got out & introduced themselves as Connie & Tom. They'd come to remove the decorations that had been put up for the Taco Thursday bike ride & Halloween.
Margaretville!
We talked for quite a while, they agreed that horse trails are way too sparse in a state where most of us had experienced a childhood that included at least one horse. Such a shame & it has been my greatest disappointment since returning.
Heading back~
Finally, it was time to turn back - both Farah & I wanted to continue on to Mineola... Without a designated horse-trail - we would have had to ride the edge of the limestone & heaven forbid! From there it would have only been five-miles back to Farah's stable. The Garmin showed that we were just over six-miles out from Council Bluffs & only 4-miles away from Mineola. Connie said that the horse trail continued a bit further, but got swampy. I remembered that from our ride - maybe we'll check out just how much farther that is - next time.
Color & views~
We weren't in any hurry to get back, it was just too perfect of an afternoon.
I pulled Farah up when I saw these blooms! Slightly blurred by the breeze - but blooming in November? I checked with the Iowa State University Horticulture Dept. They were kind enough to reply back. Usually blooming early in the season, I'm excited to have found them after our hard frosts. I won't complain about our night temperatures in the 20's though - it put an end to the bugs!
Closer to town~
This area, even with the road noise, is so beautiful & reminds me of a countryside out of the past. It's an amazing feeling to be back in the great wide-open & be able to enjoy the blessing of being away from huge metropolitan areas.
Power Plant in the valley~
I'd watched as a large band of clouds started moving in from the west & within minutes the day had gone from golden to gray. The wind picked up & just a drop or two of rain fell.
Farah looks & listens~
Farah has always had the habit of stopping of her own accord, since our very first ride & I've always let her. She is so astute & aware. We could just see fast moving traffic on Interstate 29 & probably the Veterans Memorial Highway. We could also see the big trucks, still hauling dirt & the edge of an industrial area.
Bronco & Trailer~
We covered just over 12-miles & been out for over four-hours. My round-trip - was just 33-miles! Farah's stable had actually been on-the-way! So nice to spend time riding, rather than driving. For the 300+ miles I've ridden this year, the truck & trailer have taken us 3,000 miles. Sad statistics...
