A Ride & A Stopover! ~

 Nights have been getting cooler, down to the mid-20's again.  Friday's daytime temp cooled to the 50's but today we were back to enjoying the 60's.  

Very dry~

There was no wind.  It was the second day of perfectly still conditions.  Unusual for this time of year, as is the warm days.  Butch had spent the night in Kansas City & was heading north to Cherokee, IA with a load of water for Hy Vee. He had time in the schedule to come home! 

Smokey in the sun~

I knew I'd have just enough time to get in a ride before he got to town.  I started out in my jacket & vest, it felt chilly once I was on the trail.  It wasn't long though before I'd removed the jacket!  The trail surface is as hard as rock now.  In places you can hardly distinguish the gray compacted surface from concrete.  The going was so smooth, It was some of the easiest riding of the year.

Blissfully Quiet~

There had been no cars parked at the trailhead by Happy Trails & I had only seen one bike rider the entire way to the park.  I was really surprised, since the weather was so perfect & it was the weekend.  Just before I reached the park, a lady was walking a beautiful dog.  A Blue Heeler I'm sure, she moved to the side of the trail.  The dog was So well behaved, made eye contact with me & stayed perfectly calm.  I had to compliment her beautiful & well-mannered companion! 

Milkweed~

Right at the entrance to the park, the sun was lighting up the milkweed going to seed.  Nature shows off its beauty in so many ways. I called Butch & he was just passing Rockport.  He would arrive in Glenwood ahead of me!  I hustled on the ride back north.  By the time I pulled in at home, he had just completed a walk up the hill from the school, where he'd parked Maverick.  Nationwide requires the semis to stay attached to the trailers at all times & I can understand why.  We have room for a trailer, but the ground would Not support the weight!

We drove to Council Bluffs for dinner - it was so nice to have time together!  It had been spring - since Butch has been close enough to overnight at home.  He'll be returning shortly for the Thanksgiving holiday!

Rock Island Old Stone Arch Trail ~

It was a very warm July Sunday.  We were on the road north toward Shelby, IA to ride a trail I'd found on the  Iowa By Trail web site.  Though the site stated the trail left from the Loves, that was incorrect.  Loves was on the wrong side of I-80.  On the north side, at the Quik Pik Shell travel center, we found the the trailhead.

Speedy was going to jump on the Rock Island!

The nature garden was just beautiful!  Picnic tables, a gazebo, small playground & sidewalks where some little tikes were riding their bikes!

Speedy & Silver were ready!

 The Rock Island Old Stone Arch trail is paved & four-miles in length.  Really worth the drive if you're looking for a short, scenic ride.

Signage~

 There was a steep downhill drop taking us west for a short way, before we turned east.  We passed a beautiful wetland but didn't stop until our way back.  The shade of the trail beckoned.

On the Trail~

 We passed one family & one jogger, but otherwise it was quiet, the sounds of the interstate fading within a few minutes.

Open trail heading toward Shelby~

 The trail was beautifully maintained.  Native plants & milkweed blooming along the sides.  Butterflies in the air & birds everywhere.

Milkweed~

 We arrived at the town park & admired the Rock Island Caboose & Train Station.  (First Photo)  The Caboose was all original inside.  We had to peek in the windows :-)

Shortly past town, I was in the lead when I heard the loud flutter of wings & a covey of pheasants took to the air.  They'd been nesting in the shade of a huge tree.  There were at least four or five females!  The first I've seen in forever.  To Speedy's credit, she didn't spook!  :-)

Butch on the trail~

 The trail was out in the open for a mile or so.  Many wildflowers were along this section, most past their prime.  Up ahead we could see timber & steel structure.

Dedication~

 The old bridge was amazing!  Moved here in sections, how wonderful the men above had the foresight to save it & in doing so enhance the trail for future generations.

Butch on the bridge~

 The day was a beauty!  Strong colors, a light breeze & puffy white clouds.

Back the way we'd come~

 On the far side, the bikes wanted to take a break!  There was a well placed picnic table, under a huge tree, providing lots of shade.

The bikes rest :-)

 We started back & even though the way out had been mostly a downhill grade, the return wasn't at all difficult.  A very easy & very beautiful trail!

Butch by the wetland~

 The only gravel is a short stretch along the wetland.  The wetland itself was larger than I expected & so nice to see!

It was so hot, Speedy threatened to go in!  :-)

 The yellow green of the surface algae almost matched Speedy's color.

Huge Cattails~ 

We enjoyed the eight-mile round-trip & it will be on our list of favorites!

Our route~  Google Earth

Pierce Creek - Golden Days~

It struck me as I was driving to Pierce Creek - that I've reached my Golden Years. I'm still doing what I've been doing for many years now - Ridin'.  The path to fulfillment - has always been for me - spending time outside, a good horse & a place to ride.

Day Parking~

The day was absolutely glorious!  Heat gone, humidity gone, low 70's & a wind to keep the bugs at bay.  The perfect day to go to Pierce Creek.  I've got the drive down pat now & looked forward to easy riding.

Park entrance~

There was one trailer already there!  A lady was riding back in on a very nice mule as I was putting Farah's headstall on.  Farah was so busy gawking at mule that it took me a second attempt with the bit.  With the strong wind & fresh air, she was high.  We did a couple of the obstacles before heading out on the trails.

Perfection~

Here, riders take long summer vacations to go horse camping in nearby states.  When they ride locally - it's usually the weekends.  For me, I ride during the week.  Butch & I have always enjoyed spending weekends together.  We keep occupied with on-going projects & taking exploratory drives around our new state.

Across the dike~

I am looking forward to a couple fall camping trips we have planned & an out-of- state adventure or two next year - but overall - I've become more of a home person. 

Hardwood fence posts - last forever~

Farah & I both enjoyed the ease of these trails - after our weeks of riding at Waubonsie.

In the Timber~

The timber section here is just so stunning & old.  I'd love to know how this large section managed to survive not being cut for farming over the years.  Someone had the forethought to save it.

Fungus on a log~

We were about to exit the Timber when I realized that without the bugs attacking us, we could actually stop & take a lunch break!  :-)  

Farah~

Farah loves the smorgasbord of plants that she can sample.

Flowers in the sun~

Yellows dominated!  Everywhere I looked yellow flowers, weeds etc. were in full bloom.  A few of the Walnut leaves were blowing through the air - yellow too.  There was just a hint of the smell of Fall in the air.

Milkweed~

The Milkweed was going to seed & the Monarch butterflies were playing in the breeze, more than I've seen in forever.  Butterflies were everywhere!

Goldenrod~

There were many varieties of Butterflies all through the Goldenrod - plenty of pollens here!  We watched a pair of Goldfinch darting back & forth through the brush.

View from the top corner~

Farah had no issues with crossing the dike - she took a sideways look at the outflow - but otherwise trotted right across.

Heading back across the dike~

We went over to what I call the far trails - on the far side of an access road.  Farah again picked up her fast trot & was heading for the uphill trail along the far fence with a purpose!  She grabbed the bit & went from zero to 24 in about three strides :-)  That with me asking her to slow, since I knew how fast we'd run out of running room!

Coming back to the trailer~

There was a different rig parked behind us by the time we returned.  This lady had a young horse on a lead & was taking him through the obstacles.  Great place to do that!

Rope of shame~

After hosing her down - I tied my long rope to her halter.  For whatever reason, she's tried to wander off here more than once.  I think that she considers this area horse heaven :-)

American Warmblood Brand~

As I was sitting at the picnic table, I noticed that I could see her brand again!  It's funny - but I think it's always about this time of year that it shows up.  Maybe the winter hairs starting to grow in?

Forever Views~

On such a beautiful day, enjoying the quiet solitude is just grand!  It's so darn sad (for horsemen anyway) that a gun range has to be nearby & was active most every day of the holiday weekend.  They are active during the week too - there's a number you can call to check on the activity on the Facebook page.