Ahead of the Storm~

 Yet, another beautiful day.  Mid-70's & hardly any wind.  With a storm forecast for tomorrow, I almost didn't get in a ride!  When I tried to air the bikes rear tire, couldn't get the valve to take any air?  I checked the front tire, went back to try again on the rear, to find it flat!  I called Mari Jo, who suggested calling Xtreme Wheels in Council Bluffs.  I called & told Tony my problem.  He had time in the early afternoon to fit my bike in.

I loaded the bike & arrived right on time.  Tony diagnosed a faulty valve & replaced it!  I was amazed at how quickly he wheeled my bike out of the backroom shop!  He refused to take any payment.  I promised to recommend him to my friends.  With Shadow back on the Bronco, I made the short drive to Lake Manawa.

Cottonwoods & sunshine~

I have to admit, I'm tired of shades of brown.  There seems to be just the tiniest hint of green showing here & there.  Not enough to cover the browns though - yet!  The Old Farmer's Almac predicts a warmer than normal spring, dryer too.  As if we aren't dry enough?  Over the weekend we had another Red Flag warning.  I'm sure this is unusual for this time of year.  The day before I spent breaking branches to fit in our little fire pit. I managed to get one of the three huge piles along the creek, burned. Last year, I didn't burn at all.  It was either too windy, or too dry. 

Dirt works off E. Lake Manawa & Navajo street~

Semis with side dump trailers are running along E. Lake Manawa drive, from the Navajo street location.  Dirt is being moved; I'm just not sure what direction.  All of this has to be connected to the detention ponds being dug along E. Lake Manawa Drive.  The air was thick with dust & dirt.

Three Engines~

I was stopped at the intersection by the truck traffic.  Once safely across, I continued out to the quieter, east side of the park & turned north toward I-29.  This is quiet, as long as the trains aren't going by on their way to Mid-American!  

Rich Iowa soil, soon to be homes~

This is Phase I of the E. Lake Manawa Subdivision, by Turn the Paige Homes.  Just the beginning of construction on 40 single family residential units.   From what I've read, what remains of the 93 acres will be sold to other developers.  Prospective purchasers will be able to apply for downpayment assistance.  I couldn't find the total number proposed for the entire subdivision.

Eagle's nest~

I was riding the edge of the old campground when I spotted a Bald Eagle in a tree along the road.  I was just trying to get his photo, when a loud diesel truck startled him & he flew off.

Change, as always, is inevitable...  This type of high-density housing near natural areas, is what drove us from WA state.  Affordable housing has been in the news, as the numbers of homeless climb in the Council Bluffs area.  The total number of housing units currently proposed is 500-600.

I enjoy every minute I have riding the less congested trails around the lake.  Soon, I can see park use climb to overflowing.  Especially since it's the only large park within many miles of Council Bluffs.

Bridge at Indian Creek~

As you can see in the above photo, the trees just this last weekend started showing the first blush of green & buds!  The grass too, along the creek is sprouting a hint of green.

My favorite break spot~

I always save my favorite trail to the lake for the last part of the ride.  Without the usual wind blowing & no boats yet on the water, the quiet was so peaceful.  I can imagine what it was like when the surrounding area was more rural.  Or the fun of the lakeside amusement park.  

Tomorrow the storm is coming, but today you would never know!  Thursday is the first day of spring & it's coming in like a Lion!

A Perfect Day~

 A perfect day, one of the finest this year.  If only they could all be this way with an occasional day of mild rain.  With the trail wet again from the last snow, I drove back up to the lake.

Road, trail~

For a midweek day, I wasn't surprised to see a few more people out enjoying the weather than usual.  Butch had been home over the weekend, then flown out yesterday, to Columbus, OH.  He didn't enjoy his day of airline travel & didn't pick up Maverick II until almost 8 p.m. Today, he's back on the road with only a sleeping bag & what he could put in a suitcase.  The hope is that he'll be dispatched back to Nationwide before too long, to pick up his gear from Maverick.  Moving from one semi to another is never fun & always time consuming.

MidAmerican through the trees~

I couldn't let the streak of good weather pass me by, without getting in a ride.  After two weeks of being sidelined by the weather from our Wednesday morning mat making, today we were all happy to be socializing again.  I'd dropped Finn with Doris in the morning & after lunch was on my way.

Train underpass

I rode out the east side of the park, then turned back, before continuing my loop.  A really nice young guy about our Grandson Ben's age gave me a warm "Hi" a big smile & wave as we passed each other.  It made my day.  

Going south, west side of the park~

Two H.S. girls were walking the trail as I passed.  It's such a long stretch; I admired their fortitude.  I crossed the bridge & enjoyed the beautiful south side of the park.  I passed the Bronco heading east & continued on, to my favorite trail to the lake.

Shadow on the trail~

This trail is about a mile, to reach the lake's south shore.  I had my usual break spot to myself. I enjoy it more each time this happens, as each could be the last for the season. 

Clouds moving across the sky~

Cloud cover started moving in from the west, creating a hazy look to the afternoon.  The lake is free of ice for this winter & small waves were lapping the shoreline.  A few birds were out enjoying all the open water.

Shadow patiently waits~

Heading back, the two girls I'd seen on the Indian creek trail were approaching me from the west.  I slowed to ask them how far they'd planned to walk?  They laughed & said they were finishing off six miles! 

I have a H.S. school friend in CO who walked over nine miles the other day.  I continue to be impressed at her accomplishments!  Back just a few years ago, I could easily hike that far & often walked alongside Farah, but no more.  (I had to maintain at least a 3.5 mph pace, or she would push me with her nose!)  Accumulated injuries have sidelined several of my pursuits.  That said, I'm thankful I can balance a bike!  I had no idea originally, how important to my continued enjoyment of the great outdoors, bike riding would become.

First Ride of October~

 I have been so terribly sick for nine days now.  It started the morning after Butch spent a night at home on the 25th.  I woke without my voice & my throat raw.  I hadn't been sick in years & worried it was a cold.  I called Butch the following day.  He had no symptoms.  I called my friend Doris, who thankfully also had no symptoms.  She mentioned allergies.  I'd never had allergies either, at least not to this extent!  

Explorer & Shadow~

No sleep, constant cough, wheezing, etc., I was miserable enough to call the Dr. on Monday & went in for an appointment that afternoon.  Of course, they thought I had Covid.  Instead, I was diagnosed with allergies.  I didn't have a fever etc.  Doris had been right. 

Directly in front of our house~

The sewer project had moved onto Coolidge a week before & was working full blast in front of our house on the 20th.  Piles & piles of dirt & constant construction traffic right outside my front door.  When the wind blows, we have dustornado's!  Our new windows can't even keep the fine, fine layers of dust out.  Outside, the dust would poof up when I walked onto the porch.  

Hum...  I wonder what was causing all my distress.  The Dr. prescribed an allergy pill & cough medicine.  Even with that, I'm up & down all night every night.  I requested a water truck many times to no avail.  I wrote letters to each member of city council & not one responded.  I wear a mask when I go out to water.  As far as I've been able to ascertain, the end is nowhere in sight.

Spectacular afternoon~

As of today, I've been breathing in the constant dust for over two-weeks.  We haven't had any rain since early September.  The drugs are finally helping, so even though I had a coughing fit in the new local grocery, embarrassing myself yesterday, I decided I was going to try to ride.  I'm just plain sick of being hostage in my own home.

Coming to E. Manawa Drive~

The air up at the Lake was cleaner for sure!  I had one coughing fit on the drive up, one on the trail, where the park was doing road repairs (dust in the air) & one on the drive home.  I consider that an improvement, since I usually get one an hour.

In the old campground~

I stopped to recover in the old campground, it was so beautiful there & the leaves are starting to turn.  A lady walked by & asked if I was ok.  I managed to convince her I was.  I keep cough drops in every pocket.

Bridge over Indian Creek~

It was so good to be out again!  I didn't want to ride the Wabash, due to the farmers harvesting.  Without any rain for so long, the dust is even worse than it was last year this time.  The Pirate bugs too, are horrid.  (They had been the culprits taking hunks out of me my last ride there.)  I think they've been in the fields & now that the fields are coming down, they're taking refuge along the trail.

Virginia Creeper~

Even with most of the trees only showing the slightest signs of gold/yellow, the Virginia Creeper above had me hitting the brakes!  It was on my way to Picnic spot #7, which I had to myself.  It was warm enough I sat under the picnic cover in the shade to breath in the moist air coming off the lake.

Shadow, Lake Manawa~

My favorite part of the entire ride, I enjoyed it so much.  I put in a call to Butch, reminding him that a week from today we will be away from all of this for a few days!

Virginia Creeper on a huge Cottonwood~

I hope getting away for a couple days will allow me to breathe again, my throat to heal & voice to return.  If that happens, then I revert to the misery I've been suffering through when we get home...  Daughter Jentry has offered me a spot; I may have to accept...

Powering Up ~

 As usual, I think we found the last of this model bike in the US.  Butch did an extensive search & eventually found the Cannondale at Martins Bike & Fitness in Ephrata, PA.  

We'd taken a drive to the REI in Gretna, NE to look at different e-bikes.  (I knew Cannondale had come out with an e-bike a couple years ago, based on the same frame & build as my current bike.)  They didn't have the exact model I wanted but did have one with an identical frame.  We both tried it out & agreed that the fit was the same as the bikes we've enjoyed for over two-years.

Shadow on the bike rack~

Shipping was actually easier than I'd imagined & the bike arrived by UPS in just a week!  It was double boxed.  The UPS man looked like Aquaman if you can visualize that!  He easily picked the box up & carried it in for me. 

Of course I was anxious to get it out of the box!  I managed that, but the front tire & handlebars had been removed for shipping.  Never mechanically inclined - I planned to wait until Butch's next visit home to have him put it back together.  But no, he told me I could do it myself!  Looking at the directions & tools required, I sent a photo to Butch.  After he'd stopped for the day & I had gathered all the necessary items my husband talked me through the process of putting it back together! 

Ready to leave~

After days of bitter cold & wind, Thursday was a perfect day!  Not much wind & temperatures in the low 60's.  We'd had almost an inch of badly needed rain last Sunday, so I didn't expect the Wabash to be dry enough to ride.  The hard surface trails at Lake Manawa would work!

South side of the lake~

My plan was to ride my entire loop in the lowest mode, Eco.  I decided that should make up for Shadow's additional weight.  Smokey, my Adventure 1 EQ weighs 30 lbs., while the Adventure Neo 1 weighs in at 54 lbs. 

Piles of debris~

I always wear my Garmin 310 XT, so had it to compare with the computer on the bike.  They read identically throughout the ride.  By the time I'd reached my usual break spot, Butch was within an hour of Omaha!  Our plan was to meet for dinner in Council Bluffs before continuing on home.

3-25-2023 When the Cottonwoods stood~

The piles of debris told me the park maintenance staff had been hard at work, continuing their project of cutting down all the Cottonwood trees...  I was so sad.  

Cottonwood trees down~

The view is changed forever...  I will hope to see new trees planted around the park, as has been done at Glen Cunningham Park in NE.  

Butch called again when he was leaving the trailer at Nationwide.  By now I'd covered ten miles & felt pretty comfortable on the bike.  I decided for the last mile to move up through the four speed settings.  Shadow about ran away with me in Turbo mode!  By the time I'd returned to the Explorer, I was very happy with my new ride.  The battery reading was still five bars, exactly what I'd started out with.  The bike had no battery consumption during the 11+ mile ride.

Ride stat comparison - 3/28/24 e-bike to 2/21/24 self-pedaled~

When we got home & I downloaded my stats, I was pleasantly surprised to see how extremely close I'd come to matching my time on Smokey!  After four years of self-pedaling, combined with the damage to my left leg & ankle in 2020, I'm excited about riding without as much pain the following day.  It will also be fun to extend the distance of my rides & not have wind as much of a concern.  

Thanks to my husband for a great new bike!  

Third Trip to Lake Manawa~

 Another in our amazing string of ongoing sunshine & warm days!  Before leaving for my usual Wednesday morning at mat making, I loaded Smokey on the Explorer & dropped Finnigan off with Gramma Doris.  Our group had made plans for our usual late winter lunch in Council Bluffs at Pizza Ranch - a favorite of everyone.  I tried to limit myself to just a few of my favorite things from the buffet, but still left feeling very full!

On the southern section of trail~

My third visit so far this year, I decided to leave from within the park, abet slowly on my favorite section of the loop.  I feel more motivated starting & finishing from the nicest section of the trails.  There was no one around as I crossed the road & turned east.

In just over two miles, I turned off the perimeter trail & stopped for a minute before merging onto E. Manawa Drive.  It was very warm, at least the mid-70's.  I'd started out with my vest on, but it wasn't long after this I removed it.  I was feeling my lunch & backed off my usual pace.

Looking south at the western edge of the old campground~

The old campground remains unchanged & I'm happy for it.  I like riding through the area, it's quiet & I always look for animals, though it's been a long while since I've seen Mr. Coyote.

Buds on the Cottonwood~

I left the campground, finished riding along the highway & turned onto the Indian Creek Trail.  There I found a big sign saying the trail was closed!  Not good for me, since that would mean returning the way I'd just come.  A long way ahead I could see a crew & trucks working on the paving.  I decided if the trail was impassable, I'd just go down the dike & walk in the grass along the creek to get past them & up to the bridge.  

Well, a very impolite worker met me with upraised hand & told me they had the trail closed.  I told him I would circumvent their work by dropping down the dike & going along the creek.  Another worker came up & I was allowed to continue on.

The way I'd come.  Taken from the west end of the bridge, looking north.

The sign in the trail above was just before the bridge.  Once over the bridge, I made the turn to east & was back on the trail that would return me to the Explorer.  

The Explorer waits~

As the Explorer came into view, I saw the back of trail closed sign in front of me.  When I'd left, I'd turned the opposite direction & missed seeing it.

The sign I'd missed~

Another rider came up & stopped at the sign to ask me what was going on.  I told her I had no idea why the south trail was closed at this spot, since the crew was working on the far side of the bridge.  She said it had been days since they started & she hoped the repair work would be finished soon.

The lake~

I rode on & took the axillary trail over to the lake & picnic spot.  It was totally quiet & seemed so much more like spring than late winter.  I called Butch, but he was in traffic, so we didn't talk long.  

Winter woods~

On my way back, I stopped to get a photo of the trees above.  It's a section of the park that's left as habitat.  I was back at the Explorer in no time & covered almost twelve miles.  

Back in Glenwood, both Finn & Doris had been napping when I arrived!  They'd had a busy day working in the backyard.  I'm sure Finn is a big help!  :-)  I'm so appreciative of Doris taking him on days I'm away, but she says she should pay me to bring him over!  I don't think so!  

First Ride of 2024

 Here it was, the last day of the month of January & I was determined to get in a ride!  Reviews were mixed as to the condition of the trails.  One of my ongoing ride goals is to get in at least One ride every month of the year.  Well...  I made it on the last day! 

My choice is always Lake Manawa's hard surface trails for the wet winter months.  There are other trails in the metro area, but I don't ride roads etc.  Where the trail goes along the busy streets isn't any fun, but there is a wide sidewalk. 

Under Interstate 29~

A train of oil cars was moving slowly under the Interstate.  The wind was blowing toward me, which it always seems to be along here.  I'd parked at the trail head in Council Bluffs.  The E South Omaha Bridge Road was a mess.  Snow from the road was partially covering the sidewalk/trail.  It was sloppy wet, with road grime on everything.  It was a relief when I turned off the road & onto the trail along Mosquito creek.  The full sun had melted the trail clear.

Mid-American Coal Plant~

From there, the trail turns under the rail track & skirts the power plant.  Not too much farther, I turn again & ride along Veterans Memorial Highway.  I cut off that & go through the old campground.  I wasn't sure I'd get through, but I could see enough of it was clear & decided to try.

Snow drifts melting in the old campground~

The drifts were at the south end of the area.  

What's left of the drifts~

Since I could see an end to it, I went ahead & walked through.  By the time I was on the Indian Creek trail, I was glad to close to the southern end of the park.

Indian Creek Bridge~

It was a stunningly beautiful afternoon.  The wind had died down a little, so I didn't have to work as hard as I'd expected.  

The pretty part!

Crossing the bridge & riding onto the southern trail that was re-paved last year, was Grand!  Well worth the miles of riding to get here.

On the way to the lake~

I always cut off & take the road to the lake.  Someone had cleared a narrow section of the trail in the shaded area.  It made it rideable, which I was grateful for.

"My" favorite break spot~

"My spot" has been closed for the season.  I walk around the gate & sit out on the bench before continuing on.  I was sad to see the big old Cottonwoods are being cut down.  They were as straggly as most of the Cottonwoods are - but I had to wonder why they're being cut.  I'll miss them.

Smokey by the frozen lake~

The lake was still frozen over, two ice fishermen walked out just as I was leaving.  I would not have gone out on that ice, but I'm sure they know the lake better than I do.  

My Route

On my way back, I was passed by two men riding ebikes.  Both many years my junior!  By the time I had returned to the Explorer, I'd gone 14-miles & was feeling every single one!  Nothing like the first ride of the season to make me feel all the aches & pains!  With decent weather forecast for next week, I'll have to continue to motivate myself to do it again!  

Return to Lake Manawa~

 Have I mentioned how very dry it is?  Dry?!  Our temperatures are running 15 degrees above normal & no rain is expected at least into next week.  Today, instead of low to mid-50's our high was 69. I decided to ride the smooth trails at Lake Manawa.  I hadn't ridden there since the 2nd of July.

The trail to the park~

I parked at the Wabash Trailhead; the lot was close to being full.  I expected most of the traffic would be on the trail & I was correct.  I had a hard time motivating myself - I felt tired - probably due to the piles of leaves I've been raking off our trails.

Even the weeds are dry~

The textures & shades of brown & tan created by the dry weeds was beautiful in its own way.  It's strange to say but the dryness is getting on my nerves.  Here & there we get a gray day; I look at the sky & hope for the rain that doesn't come. I'm still watering my shrubs & trees.  When I do, I'm amazed they survive.  The soil is as hard as rock.

At the old campground~

I dread riding along the Veterans Memorial Hwy., but the traffic today wasn't bad & it's just a short distance.  I called Butch from the old campground.  He spent the holiday at the Iowa-80 Truck stop.  He had time in his scheduled dispatch to get in a 34-reset.  He was given a very nice Veteran's hat & $15. off his dinner at the restaurant.  He bought & installed a much louder horn on Maverick too!  The one the truck came with sounded like a horn on a passenger vehicle.  It would have disappointed the kids in town who always expect him to hit the horn as he goes by!  :-)

Across the lake to the Mid-American power plant~

At this point, I'm only five miles into the ride, so we didn't talk long.  Next was the long stretch along Indian Creek.  The wind was coming from the side, so not as bad as peddling into it.  

Marker at the Indian Creek Bridge~

I'd forgotten about all the new paving on the trail at the south end of the lake.  So nice & smooth!  Smokey flew along, we even got up to 16 mph on one section.  There were only a few riders out & closer to the campground, a few people walking.  

The Lake, looking across to Council Bluffs~

The gate was closed to my favorite stopping spot - so I had it to myself!  It had been a busy place every time I'd been by earlier this year.  It gets reserved for parties & each year it seems more people are using it.  As I started to sit down on the bench, I saw a folded potato chip package stuck between the boards of the seat.  Just disgusting for someone to take the time to fold it up & stick it there, rather than pack it out!  I looked down & the trash was the most plentiful ever.

Trash I picked up~

I used my empty snack bag, turned it inside out & picked up a plastic fork, two plastic straws, a glue stick, ribbon reel, cigarette buts, the potato chip bag, etc.  Soon the bag was full.  I took it to the dumpster on my way out.  Next time I'll bring a bigger bag.

The late afternoon beauty~

Leaving along my favorite section of the trails, I couldn't help but enjoy the beauty of the fall day.  Heading back, I had the trail to myself.  Once back at the Explorer I looked across at Tastee Treat, hopeful that they might still be open?  No, closed for the season. So much for that idea.  Back in Glenwood, I had a 30-min. wait to wash dust & dirt off the Explorer & Smokey.  One of the farmers had brought his tractor in to one of the two working bays - you can imagine how long that takes!

I made it quick with the Explorer!  The temperature was dropping, our nights are still getting down into the 30's.  I got home after the sun had set behind the woods.  The days are getting shorter by the minute!  Literally!