The weather cooperated again with temperatures in the low 70's & hardly any wind. Since Finnigan made it plain he wanted to visit with Grandma Doris when we stopped by & she was happy for his company - I decided to do another ride!
Arriving at the pond, I turned north this afternoon. It's impossible to miss the change that continues to happen daily along the east side of the trail - as you ride north.
North from Malvern~
You can't miss the removal of topsoil from the land that will eventually be 62 new homes, under the name: "Wabash Landing". I can hardly imagine the difference sixty-two homes will make in what has been up to now a quiet rural area.
Cutting away the hillside, dark line of topsoil~
The planned housing development will have homes available for low to moderate income households. With Malvern's current population of just over 1,000 people - the impact of growth will be felt in by the community. Development here seems to take much longer than the speedy process that occurs in Washington State & on a smaller scale. Even so & knowing affordable housing is at a premium, I'm not looking forward to the change.
Workers on the Silver Creek Trestle~
The proximity to the trail is mentioned in the advertising & the trail will be one of the places I expect to see more impact. My days of quiet rides are probably numbered. I went ahead & rode the section of trail that's closed off. Bad me - just to check if anyone was working on the Trestle. I was happy to see progress is now being made.
Trail blocked at 305th~
When I had reached 305th, the trail was blocked & the detour sign out to the gravel road was obvious. I took a good look.
There is no way known to man I would make it up the big hill in the distance under my own pedal power! Kudos to anyone who's ridden this to Gaston Road where you return to the trail & can continue on north to Silver City.
Looking west - Hwy 34~
I turned around at the Trestle, it was another quite beautiful if overcast afternoon. Today was the first time this season I've taken Smokey out two back-to-back days. Still no rain, but if the weather report holds true, we're to see the first of the rain move in late tonight.
Looking North - at the Pond~
The clouds seemed even heavier today than yesterday. I returned to town to find Doris & Finn out working in the backyard. We chatted for a while, before Finn & I headed home. Each day seems more & more like spring is around the corner. Rain would certainly be a tremendous help!
A day of moderate temperatures & no wind! I should have taken the bike out, but instead I decided to walk Finnigan. We went to our favorite park in Malvern for the second time in just a few days. On this afternoon though - the sound of heavy equipment - close by - interrupted the usual quiet. It seems development - anywhere - is always determined to take their property right to the very limits of the survey. The word "buffer" isn't in their vocabulary...
As we turned onto the trail, the sound became intense & Finnigan was scared. We'd only walked a short distance & I could see a track hoe just a few feet away. The operator was busy knocking down a tree. The sound of trees going down is awful - at least to me. Anywhere, but especially where there are so few.
Dirt Moving~
The development area is much larger than I originally thought. It seems to cover both the north & south sides of West 11th street. With all the noise, it was far from the usual quiet walk in the country. At least through the first quarter mile or so.
The wide-open views~
Soon, even walking, we outdistanced all the noise. It was a relief to us both! The sky was the beautiful hazy gray/blue color of the upcoming winter months. Still without any snow, it's so strange to still be enjoying such warm, moderate weather.
Just north of Jahnke Road - looking south the way we'd come ~
I had the Garmin today & at this point it read 36:36 for our time & 1.35 miles. Finnigan had really kept up a nice pace, averaging between 3.1 all the way up to 4.0. My legs are not at all happy with walking & would prefer peddling along on the bike. It's been 20-years since the implants in my right femur & 3-years since the repairs to my left tibial plateau. (I loved every minute of those 30-years of riding, but the price has been steep.)
Finn on point!
On our way back, I could see a couple with a large pit-type dog ahead of us. They were huddled off to the side of the trail & the dog was on alert. I picked Finn up as we approached & they said, "Sorry". I didn't know for what & didn't want to find out. (I've started carrying my riding stick, but had forgotten it today.) I told them Finn was recently from the shelter & scared of most everything. They replied they had picked their dog up from the shelter too. We continued on without incident.
Recognizable name & from my hometown~
Back at the pond, we stopped again & admired the last day of the fall season. As we returned to the Explorer & passed by the jetty, I paused to actually read the sign! I was so surprised to recognize the name & town of the Foundation who had provided funds for the project.
I called Butch & he's on his way Home! Always the best news ever! Later in the afternoon he sent me a photo of a blown-out drive tire. The truck was soon in the Love's repair bay & he only lost an hour's drive time. (I appreciated the all-new tires he had on Traveler...) It will still be a big push for him to make it home tomorrow, 650-miles worth! But if anyone can do it, it's my husband!
Last day of a beautiful month - dry - but beautiful. It seems even drier - if that's possible - now that most all of the trees have dropped their leaves. It's a constant crunch, crunch under Smokey's tires as they roll over them. The month hasn't even had as much wind as usual. I've been raking leaves at home & that's unusual too. Most years the wind has blown them far away.
2 p.m. at the Trestle
Mari Jo rode with me today, she's back to normal after her reaction to the flu shot. Happy Trails is now closed for the season & it will be missed by the riders who stop by. It's a good thing for me though, as we hope to get in a few more late season rides.
Fields down~
As usual, Mari Jo kept me peddling & we didn't stop until the Trestle. I told her my Cougar story. She commented that they're seen more often in the area than people realize. We were passed by three ladies, two of them riding electric bikes. I'm still not much of a fan - especially when they come up fast behind you without a word of warning.
View from the Malvern Depot~
We stopped at the Depot for a short break. This streak of ongoing unseasonable, warm weather has local riders out enjoying the trail.
At the Depot~
A aquaintance of Mari Jo's came by & stopped to chat. We asked about the field with the top soil being removed? Word is - it's to become at least 35 low income houses. We all had to wonder how that will work out, with the on-going water issues Malvern has experienced?
Land of development~
In Washington state, it was awful seeing trees cut & land cleared for the neverending development. Here, it's difficult seeing such rich land capable of growing crops, be stripped of it's top soil & paved under. The cost of progress.
Google earth image, yellow pin where the development will be.
The road that's now gravel, will be paved & of course traffic over the trail will increase exponentially. As the population continues to grow, the loss of open space will have to continue. At least here, growing crops is still of major importance to the state's economy.
Greens long gone~ Creek still flowing~
I've taken several photos of this area of the creek, over the years I've been riding the trail. One of my favorite spots where I enjoy watching the seasonal changes. We made good time on our ride. We'd left a little earlier than I usually go out, so returned to the shop early too. Of course with the time change next week, we'll be loosing that last hour of light in the afternoon...
4:39 p.m. Sun setting over the woods~
By the time I'd driven home, the sun was just getting ready to set behind the woods. Our little corner does fall into shade sooner than the higher parts of town. I don't mind it at all, as we cool down quicker in the summer months & miss some of the heavier winds. At least I like to think so!
Goodby October! Nowhere near the usual mositure we receive this month. Now, we're hoping for a nice wet November!
