2021 - In Review~

 Five years & how fast they've gone.  December of 2020, we had three snowstorms.  Nika was in her element!  Even so, there were some beautiful days with plenty of sunshine. 

12-31-2020 Nika~

January continued the trend with a blizzard mid-month.  Snow was added to piles of snow. Between storms, I took Speedy out & with Butch watching, tried peddling.  I could make a full rotation.  All the weeks of physical therapy & work at the Y paid off.  Nika & I enjoyed our winter woods walks too.

1-11-2021 Taking Speedy out for a trial run~

This February, I had no ambition to visit WA.  Having spent most of last fall there recovering, I was happy to be home.  I asked about adding color to the walls in the house & Butch took on the project.

2-4-21 The office wall~

To celebrate our birthday's - we made a road trip to Glenwood Springs, CO.  Our home in the early 80's.  Soaking in the pool & watching the snow fall, had always been one of our favorite things.  We hiked at Rifle Falls & enjoyed a long weekend.

2-6-21 Glenwood Hot Springs Pool~

Back home, we hadn't missed another heavy blast of snow!  

2-21-21 The Cabin~

Enough already!  Shoveling had been an everyday routine for way too long!  Late February & into March, the weather moderated & the snow started melting.  Mari Jo & I took walks with our dogs out on the Wabash Trace.  I rode my bike for the first time with Butch, around Lake Manawa!

3-6-21 Connie & Speedy~

It wasn't easy, but it was sure wonderful to be out on two wheels!  By the end of the month, the grass was green again & my little daffodils were blooming!

3-30-21 Color!

By April, all the wildflowers were in bloom & spring had arrived in a big way!  In the marsh, I found new wildflowers - Dutchman's Breechs.  I was riding up to 17-miles on the Wabash Trace & visiting Butch at Agriland!

4-15-21 Speedy at Agriland

May, I was ready again for a different bike.  I really enjoyed riding the Townie, but thought I needed more gears for the long grades of the trail.  Most of my shopping was done on-line.  The Trek bike in the size I needed, was in Kansas City, KS.  I made the drive to pick up a Verve 3 Lowstep,

5-3-2021 Trek Verve Bikes~

Butch ended up buying a new Trek too & soon was outdistancing me on the trails.  Memorial Day weekend, we stayed over in Creston, rode our bikes & attended the Memorial Day services at the Greenfield Cemetery.

5-21-21 Creston Quilt Show

Once June arrived, I spent the days I wasn't riding, working outside. Butch worked to finish the ceiling in the cabin.  He put up the steel panels, while I sanded & painted the trusses.

7-26-21 Cabin finished~

July, daughter Courtney & grandson Mason came for a visit!  We would have kept them for the summer! :-)  We did all the fun things we could think of & a few more.  Mason loved his tour with Papa & checking out the big tractor.  The weather couldn't have been better.  Not hot, not humid, as perfect as a July could be.  Things were too quiet when the two of them left for home.

7-8-21 Mason in the John Deere~

August, with Butch laid off from Agriland, he had time to install the new windows for the house.  The difference they've made is incredible.  The installation led to removing the vinyl siding, adding vapor barrier & painting the shutters.

8-19-21 New windows, painted shutters~

The marigolds I'd planted in the usual spot along the south fence, provided us with color all summer. Butch put in a block wall along the west end of the house.  He also cut shutters for the Cabin windows.  We planted a new row of Emerald Greens along the north split rail fence. (Our second attempt at getting something to grow there.)

8-20-21 Marigolds~

September, Butch was driving a dump truck part time for a local company.  He was also back to driving the school bus.  We took an extended weekend trip to Mason City.  A town resplendent with Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.  Butch finished training & received his Class A driver's license.  (He also passed the test for hazmat certification.)  The bikes went with us, we rode the High Trestle Trail north of Des Moines on our way home.

9-18-21 High Trestle Trail Bridge~

October was mild & beautiful!  We had the big Walnut tree out front trimmed to clean up the damage from the August Derecho.  It produced a bumper crop of walnuts!  I hired the neighbor kids to help with the continual pickup.  It kept me busy for at least an hour a day for weeks!  I used the chips from the walnut to cover my trails.

10-11-2021 Walnut

November second, we had our first hard frost.  The leaves fell from the trees like rain.  It was totally beautiful out on the trail.  After a season of over 600 miles on the Verve, I came to the conclusion it was more work to ride, than fun.  Butch took me bike shopping again.  The Bike Rack put together a Cannondale Adventure in my size & I loved it.   It was not only fun to ride, but much easier to get on & off!  

11-2-2021 On the Wabash~

 After an extensive search & many phone calls, Butch found one in the size & model I needed.  The only problem was that the bike was in Seattle!  I called Alaska & changed my February flight reservations.  Right after Thanksgiving, I left for the Pacific NW.

I don't need an excuse to visit the Grandkids - staying with the Peters is always fun family time!  Courtney took me to pick up the new bike in Ballard.  We added a shopping detour to University Village.  The following day, we drove over the pass to Ellensburg.  Cassidy was returning to CWU after Thanksgiving break.  I really enjoyed seeing how she'd personalized her dorm room! 

11-28-2021 Cassidy & Grammy~

I tagged along with Courtney & Mason for Mason's doctor visit at the hospital.  Followed by ice cream!  It rained almost every day of my two weeks stay.  Courtney & I worked on craft projects & shopped at some of our favorite stores.  Lynn & I fit in lunch at the Maltby Cafe.  Afterward, we took a tour of the new housing construction around Monroe.  We went to see the horses, then ended the day at Lynn & Jack's new home in Sultan. 

9-5-2018 Butch with Farah, Iowa ~

After almost a year of positive texts from Farah's owner, she told me Farah was acting up on the way back to the barn & had scared her.  She was going to list Farah for sale.  I started checking with friends to find her a new home.  

Within just days, a sale happened. I wasn't told who to - until after Farah had been picked up.  It didn't take long before I found out it was a woman; I'd had a falling out with years ago.  She was well aware I would have stopped the sale, had I known.  I can only hope those who understand my ongoing commitment to Farah's welfare, will keep me posted as to her future well-being.

12-9-2021 Loess Hills~

Iowa from the air, is always such a welcome sight.  As difficult as it is to be so far away from our family, a couple weeks in the hustle & bustle of the Pacific Northwest is enough for me.  Seeing the Loess Hills come into view feels so right.

The second half of December was mild enough I was able to get Smokey out for a first ride!  I'm hoping for at least a few rideable days this winter. 

12-11-2021 Smokey ~

The beginning our sixth year & another New Year!  We appreciate more than ever, our home & life here in the Midwest.  If we could just convince the kids to move here too! :-)

Happy New Year - 2022!

Past Year - 2020~

Mother's Day Ride~

Or - Shenandoah to Ikes on the Wabash ~

It was a gorgeous, if windy day.  We sat out with our latte's admiring the emerging greens of our now - full-on spring!  Most of the plants I've been getting in the ground have recovered from the last freeze, but we're expecting another tonight.

At Waubonsie Park, Shenandoah~

My goal has been to ride my bike, the entire 62.3-mile length of the Wabash Trace trail, in stages.  Today, Butch drove us back to Shenandoah, where we found the signage directing us from the depot trail-head I'd ridden to last week, over to the one at Waubonsie Park.

First Bridge~

We'd hoped the wind would be a little less, further south, but no luck. There were only a few people with metal detectors in the park when we arrived.

Looking down from the bridge~

The drop off most of the bridges is usually a long one.  Erosion has taken a toll in the soft sandy loams of the Loess Hills area.  The hills were formed over 14,000 years ago.  Only two places on earth, here & China have a depth of 200 to 300 ft.

Raspberry canes?

If these are indeed Raspberry, we'll be back before too long!  :-) I've never seen this many in one place.

Old telephone/telegraph pole~

The pole above is only the second I've seen - still boasting a couple of glass insulators.

Hole in the trail~

This was one deep hole!  There were concrete blocks lower down, on the side of the trail, there must have been an old bridge or structure here at one time.

Sign for "Ikes"~

The goal for the day was to find Ikes Place, the former Izaak Walton, just south of Shenandoah.  We had just crossed under Hwy 2 when we saw the sign.

A swing~

We rode another mile farther, I wanted to be sure it was indeed the place marked on the trail.  At the next road crossing was a small vineyard.  Here, we turned back, as we'd made reservations for dinner at Tobey Jacks.

The lake at Ikes~

Peddling back into the wind was a cold experience.  I think I'll be looking for a light weight windbreaker.  Butch tells me he's not feeling a bit more fit, but set a good pace going back!  Probably  because he was hungry! 

Butch in the lead~

This section of trail is one of the easiest I've been on so far.  A bit rough in places, but really pretty.

At Tobey Jacks, Cathy found me a trail map, very handy!  I have another 7.5-miles to Coin & 5.4 to Blanchard to be done!  Since it's a good drive down to this area from home - I'm hoping Butch will take me on a weekend & drop me off at Ike's.  Then, he would go on to park at Blanchard & ride north to meet me.

It's been fun to get a feel for the old trail.  There's not an inch of it that couldn't be done on horseback...  The trail brochure I received was updated in 2018.

Item #6:  Horseback Riding. An off-road trail for mt. bikes and equestrians runs parallel to the main trail in the section between Council Bluffs and Dumfries. Horses are allowed only on the off-route trail and at the discretion of SWINT.

The trail goes to the small destination of Margaritaville, before heading on south.  It was our turn-around point when Farah & I were on the trail.  We never left any sign of having been there.  When Butch & I attended a SWINT meeting - it's safe to say we were NOT welcomed, or invited to return.

Evidentially, since I've ridden - someone decided Equestrian's could not go to the bike hangout...  Maybe why Butch & I found trash cans chained to the hitching rail.  (It's a little hard to disguise a steel tube hitching post.)

Yet another way to continue to reduce & eliminate horses from the trail.  I'm sure the original funding for the trail included Equestrian use.  Especially since Equestrian groups donated volunteer hours & funds.  The remains of that trail still exist in many places... 

A Perfect Summer Ride~

Many thanks to Waubonsie St. Park & the contractor that has been hired to take care of the trails!

For two days now, we've been having perfect weather!  Perfect!  Mid-70's no humidity, few bugs, a light breeze & nights down into the low 60's!  I'd spoken with the new Ranger at Waubonsie & the word was that all the trails had been graded!

Farah hears other horses~

I just had to go see for myself - an excellent excuse - as if I needed one - to ride!  There was only one large trailer at the park, with probably six riders heading out as we pulled in.   I took my time saddling up to let them get some distance ahead of us on the trail.

Graded!

It was obvious right away!  This soil is so sand like - the footing was very soft & fluffy.

Creek bed~

The creek is holding water in spots, but large sections of the bed are just mud - still not dry.  The grading looked super & another plus - all the Stinging Nettles were knocked down & far off the trail.  This is the first time I've been witness to the maintenance cycles of this park & others in such a different environment from the one I knew so well.

The dirt had been evenly spread out across the face of the hill trails too.  I had almost memorized where the deepest of the erosion holes had been, so when we started our gallop up the first, I kept Farah off to the side.  Mid-way up a horse had punched through the surface & into the holes. 

Holes in the trail~

Certainly from a walk, but I'm going to mention it - packing some dirt into these areas would really help, since now - there's no way of knowing that they are there...  I'm wondering how long it will take for the surface to settle & how much rain will effect it.  My hope is that it will be a good long while before it begins to erode again. 

Heading up~

We never did run into the other riders & when I made the turn onto the far loop, there were no hoof prints.  It was just so gorgeous out - the second loop is just under two-miles - we did it twice.  Wonderful to not have all the obstacles in our way! 

Maidenhair ferns - happy in Aug.

The sandy, loamy soil of the Loess Hills is evidentially the perfect environment for the Maidenhair ferns.  When I think of how many times I tried to start them in my woods in WA without any luck!

Big Tree Loop

The tree we found down on Tue. was still there, but now the trail goes around it.  Neither Farah nor I wanted the ride to end. 

A dead tall tree~

I'm calling this loop Tall Trees Loop.  It has at least three that are really huge.  This trail runs low enough - with so much protection from the winds that they have a chance to grow huge.  Even so, there are a few twisted & broken, as there are everywhere.

Another of my favorites~

Our BCH Chapter will be having a maintenance day at Waubonsie on the 12th.  We want to do some work in the campground area, maybe remove some old rusty fence that's down & see what else needs to be done.  I was excited that we had permission to take weed whackers out - but now that the grading is done - there's no need!  

We stopped at the house to wait for Butch & I put Farah in the backyard.  She immediately went to grazing & did Not want to leave when Butch went to gather her up! :-)

Our First Weather "Event"!

We were sitting out, a little later than normal.  I mentioned to Butch that it seemed to be getting dark early.  It was quiet, no wind - but we were expecting rain & thunderstorms.  We were just cleaning up from dinner - when our phones went off with a screech!  The first time we'd heard a weather warning alert & within another second - the emergency sirens in town were going off.

Within minutes the storm Hit!  We stood in the living room, looking out the windows & watching as the wind drove the rain in blowing sheets across the landscape!  The thunder was booming, with lightening strikes moving sideways across the entire skyline.  Video below was after the storm moved off.  You can just hear the three "all-clear" signals at the very end~

I texted both daughters & was on the phone with Courtney, so didn't think to take video.  We watched as the big Walnut tree started loosing branches!  Courtney stuck it out with me - it was good to have her on the other end of the line :-)  Just this morning we'd been talking with Sharon, who said that she never worried unless the sky turned green.  Well, the next thing I heard - was Butch saying;  "The sky's green."  Sure enough it was...  We heard a transformer blow & the power went out.  We both said some prayers & it was a great relief when the storm finally moved away.

Campground~

It wasn't long before our local Facebook page was getting posts & photos of what damage the town & surrounding area has sustained.  The campground is out at the intersection of I-29 & I-34.  It was one we had considered staying at when we first arrived.

RV's tossed everywhere~

It's out in the wide-open, the Harley Davidson Dealership on the other side of I-29 lost it's roof.  (Thank you to the local photographers who took these photos!)

Old Antique Building~

I think most of the debris along the highway came from here.

Along I-29

The power stayed out - the temperature had dropped rapidly from the high 80's, down into the 70's as the storm passed, but muggy didn't even describe it!  A neighbor called after 10 p.m. asking Butch to come help a lady who was trapped in her electric chair.  By the time they got there - the emergency personnel arrived & extracted her.  We went to bed & boy did I ever realize how much difference the ceiling fans make!

Great Minds :-)

We didn't even think of leaving when the storm was at it's worst.  This morning when Linus called we both laughed at ourselves, since he & Kay have a finished basement where we could have gone :-)  We drove to the Gathering Place, Butch wanted to check out the damage to the the sign.  I posted the last photo of it intact to Facebook just yesterday afternoon.

Tree on the roof~

Almost half of town is still without power - with the NW corner taking the brunt of the storm.  Many trees were either down or had lost huge limbs everywhere.  It seemed like everyone  in town was out & about this morning, chain saws, rakes, trucks full of limbs - all headed to the ball field where the city is collecting the debris.

Shattered tree~

As we drove around, it was really amazing that as many huge trees as there are - most missed the houses.  I think the Loess Hills act as something of a wind break for the town.  The campground is out to the west, in the open.  So far we haven't heard reports of anyone being seriously hurt.  I'm hoping that this is the last time I see that green sky!

Adaptations~

  There's something about Iowa, a richness you can almost taste...   An earthiness that feels so totally different from the logged wastelands of the foothills I was so familiar with in Western, WA.  You can smell it of an evening - when the heat is lifting off the land.  Even under cultivation forever - it has somehow retained it's soul~

Today was forecast to be the coolest of the week, I couldn't let that pass me by, after the last days soared into the 90's.  Farah was very happy to see me.  She had a nasty, crusty thing the size of a dime under her jaw & the fly's are now out in full force.

On the lush green trail~

After a quick grooming & lots of bug spray, we were on our way to what has become our usual hangout - Waubonsie State Park.  It was a surprise to see one couple there, sitting in the shade & getting ready to leave.  Another gentleman pulled in & they all spoke of the heat, so I didn't feel like such a wimp.

Pawpaw Trees~

We were quickly on the trail & into the most welcome shade.  Farah seems to enjoy our time together, as much as I do.  I think we both appreciate the other more - now that we don't see each other every day.  That has been one of the many things we've both had to adapt to.  Just the out & back to the stable is a 15-mile round-trip & I'm lucky she's that close.  Add the 33-mile trip south, once I'm out on Hwy 29 & riding has become an expensive hobby.

Small slide along a Waubonsie Trail

Looking at this little slide today - it reminded me of the area on the Whitehorse Trail.  The Loess Hills being comprised of wind-blown silt from the glaciers.  The Western, WA soils, volcanic.  Each of different composition, but unstable when the rains come.   Here, the trails become so slick as to be unrideable.

Slide on the Whitehorse Trail, Jan. 19, 2015

We did our first set of loops - what's become our usual direction, it was so beautiful & cool in the woods.  I saw a very large Wild Grape vine, that had wrapped itself up this very tall tree.  I'm so glad I got them all cut away from our trees & shrubs along the creek.

Grape Vine~

After going back to camp for our lunch break, I decided that we'd do the loops in the reverse.  This was the first way I'd ridden the trails here & soon realized it's the way the signage directs & most riders go.  You do have plenty of hill work either direction, but going with the signage gives more downhill.  I had a new acquaintance tell me the other day; she felt the hills here are too difficult for a lot of the horses.

Warning sign~

It is steep, no doubt about it, the short ups & downs so different from the very long downs & very long up's of our old favorite place to ride, Victoria.  There, in just two-more miles, we only had 1,482 in elevation gain, compared with 1,717 today.  It seems a lot more fun with more change in the topography & Farah loves it.

In the greens~

Here, most people call the woodlands, Timber.  The same term used in Western, WA by logging companies to describe an area that they plan to clear-cut.  Cedars, Douglas Fir, Hemlock etc.  The Iowa DNR- uses the word for the same purpose.  A description of what they harvest to; "Meet forest management objectives."  I have to wonder what the objectives are to bring back even a portion of our native forest lands that been lost nationwide.

Maidenhair Ferns~

Forget what I said about the ferns not being up!  This hillside covered with Maidenhair ferns was just stunningly beautiful - my camera didn't want to focus on them for whatever reason.  I'll have to try again!

Shell Bark Hickory~

Neither of us thought the loops were as fun this direction, but our pace was faster than our last visit & it was very warm.  By the time we were back at the trailer & as I started to unsaddle, Farah's belly was dripping sweat.  She again didn't drink during our lunch break - but emptied two small buckets on our return!

Tail on the move~

Another bath - for us both!  The flies are horrible now, they swarm the trailer the minute we pull in.  Even spraying inside the trailer didn't deter them.  I've probably spent a fortune on fly spray now & have three different brands. 

Once back at the stable, I used Equi-spot this time & asked how to turn the fan on in Farah's stall.  I'd also bought Shoofly horse leggings long before we left WA.  I got them out - they were supposed to have been smalls - but no - they were large & she walked out of them...  I don't even remember where I ordered them.  A trip to Council Bluffs to buy more - soon!  Yes, we had annoying pests in WA - but not like here.   Farah - who has never liked bugs & been a prima-donna up to now - is learning to adapt too...

Butch & I decided to bring Farah & go through a year - before making any further decisions.  She's my horse-of-a-lifetime, but here, horses stand more than they're used & I now see why.  Riding as much as I was used to - has not happened.  (Most horse people here, take summer horse camping trips to other nearby states.)  With Butch working & the projects we have at home, our priorities have changed.  Realistically - riding in cooking hot summer temperatures & freezing cold winter ones - even if there is any place open within 50-miles to ride - isn't something I enjoy...  I wonder now what further adaptations we may have ahead...