Silver City to the Lookout~

It was one of those perfect hazy days of November.  I knew the trail would be dried out enough to ride & decided to ride the section north from Silver City.  There was only one other car with Nebraska plates, in the parking area by Happy Trails.

Northward Bound~

I was surprised to see the first mile of concrete still covered with leaves after all the winds we've had.  The air was so fresh & the smell of the leaves the strongest of the season.

Stuck Van on a Grade B Road~

The picture above is a perfect example of why not to try to drive on Grade B roads after a rainstorm, or two!  I could hear the groan of the engine before I reached a clear spot on the trail to see where the noise originated. (This was one of the roads Farah & galloped when it was dry.)

Farm pond~

I'd taken a photo of this pond early in early October.  It was beautiful then & even more beautiful now.  The surface of the pond looked like a mirror, reflecting the trees.  There was absolutely no wind today & that's very rare, especially this late in the season.

Shadow~

When I made the climb back up to the trail, from admiring the pond, Shadow was waiting for me.  If not for this bike, I doubt I'd be doing the miles I've been used to.

Leaving Mineola~

The four miles to the Mineola trail head went by in no time.  The trees are still sporting some color & I enjoy them all.

Unidentified tree~

This is the second tree I've seen on the trail with the beautiful orange leaves.  My best guess so far is a Black Cherry.  

Harvesting Corn~

Further along the trail & more noise.  I soon saw why. It's still amazing to see how cleanly modern machinery can harvest corn from a field.  Very few ears are left & they're soon picked off by the deer, squirrels, turkey's etc.

At Margaritaville, I stopped to take a short break before finishing the last couple miles to the Lookout.  I assumed I was alone.  Wrong!  The slam of the outhouse door startled me!  A man came out who evidentially was walking the trail.  He didn't speak, I got back on Shadow & continued on.  A lesson to remember - even with no bikes around, someone may be.

Shadow & the view~

The Lookout bench rest spot wasn't occupied. I put in a call to Butch & took a short break before starting back south. 

Territorial View~

Though limited, I love what there is of a view from this hill.  It'll be a shame when the trees grow enough to close it off.

The "Lookout"

This rest spot is one of the nicest on the trail.  Most of the improvements occur on the mile's closest to Council Bluffs. There are so many areas further south that could use some work, but at least the two trestles each side of Malvern were repaired.

Lewis & Clark Trail~

Just past the underpass is the signage for the Lewis & Clark trail.  It follows the Wabash Trace for several miles & even continues through Glenwood.  When I passed the Grade B Road again, the van was gone.  

View of Mineola in the distance~

The view from the Old Goat rest area is another I always stop to admire.  With so much downhill on this stretch of trail, I wasn't too worried about getting back before sunset.  From here I had just over four miles left to reach Silver City.  I arrived at the Explorer by 4 p.m. & returned to pick up Finn from Doris by 5.  Once home, by the time I'd put the bike away, it was dusk.  Shorter days, but I'm enjoying them while they're still here.  Before long, the cold will come~

First Ride of March ~

 The first day of March, we're getting so close to spring!  A perfect day, March coming in like a lamb!  It's been dry enough the trail is rideable!  It was a warm & beautiful, without the winds that will come with the month.

Smokey on the Keg Creek Bridge~

I consider this a tough portion of the trail with a nice uphill grade the four miles into Margaritaville.  The grade continues all the way to Council Bluffs.  It's a challenge early in the season before I've done many miles.

Uncaring riders leaving huge ruts~

Its discusting to see the ruts left by riders who disregard the conditon of the trail surface & ride when it's too soft...  It takes so much work to smooth out.  

Blown over tree :-(

A nice sized tree blown over in some of the heavy winds we've been getting.  I appreciate the shade of the trees so much in the summer months.  Once I arrived at Margaritaville, I continued on to Dumfries to make it a full four-miles one-way.

Turn-around south of Dumfries~

The new Lewis & Clark Trail signs are such a nice addition.  It was very quiet today & nice to return to the peace of the countryside after riding at the lake.

Margaritaville ~

I stop & take a break on the swing, when the area isn't busy.  This time of year it's usually not.  The sky was so pretty today - I stayed a little longer than usual.

Mineola overlook~

This part of the countryside is one of my favorites.  The rolling farmland & open spaces are beautiful any time of year.

Mineola Countryside~

On the way back, Smokey flew!  The only thing slowing us down, was avoiding the ruts.  I only saw one other rider the entire way.  It was so refreshing to be back on the trail.  My last visit to this particular section of was my first ride of the new year in January.  It's unusual for the trail to be rideable so early in the season - I'll take it!

Mineola to Margaritaville, RT

 We woke this morning to 24 degrees & sunshine.  The first hard frost of the season.  The flowers I left out, were frozen.  They'd lasted longer, still blooming, than any previous year.  The Asparagus ferns though, didn't seen to mind the cold, so we'll see how long they last.  

Butch had another appointment in Council Bluffs.  When we returned, the afternoon was so beautiful, I decided to load Breezy.  I drove to the Mineola trailhead, intending to ride to Margaritaville.  I hadn't ridden this section of trail since May 20, of 2020.  On that day, I'd ridden twenty-miles.  Since my injury, the idea just of those four-miles of uphill grade was daunting.  I'd forgotten too, this section of trail is closer to home than Silver City.   

Heading west for a short way~

  The wind hit as I was leaving, but once the trail turned north, the wind eased.  I stopped way more than I want to admit, to take short breaks.  With the frost, the leaves were falling from the trees, even without any wind.

Breezy & the leaves~

It was so pretty, to see such a variety of leaves carpeting the trail.  I loved the sound of them under Breezy's tires.  The smell too - was as perfect as fall smells can be.

A cornucopia of leaf varieties~

There was only one other rider I saw, so quiet, peaceful & beautiful.  Such perfect days, shortening all too quickly.

Underpass - Dumfries~

I rode past Margaritaville & on to the underpass, to get in just over four-miles, before turning back the way we'd come.

Heading back~

The new signage is so nice.  There are identical signs even here in town, to lead bicyclists to the Lewis & Clark trail.  In places, they are to ride on narrow roads with no shoulders & big hills.  With the grain trucks roaring along those roads, I wouldn't have the nerve to ride.  I did see one guy on my way though.

Margaritaville~

Now sporting two little bench areas & many more picnic tables & bike racks.  I'm sure this place was crazy full of riders several times over the season.  I was happy to have it to myself.

Varying colors down the trail~

Each species of tree, dropping there own color of leaves, it was easy to tell when we were coming to the walnuts.  I was careful though, since the walnuts were buried in the leaves.  With all the leaves just falling this morning, the wind hasn't had a chance to blow them off the trail.

Breezy~

With the clouds passing overhead, the afternoon alternated between warm sunshine & cooler shade.  I wore a thermal long-sleeved shirt for the first time & my vest.  I wished more than once I'd brought a jacket too.

Maples~

Golden sections of trail, were the maples, my favorite.  

Mineola in the distance~

I enjoyed the eight-miles & needed the workout.  I always have to stop to admire this view returning to town.  Quintessential Iowa.