Iowa Great Lakes Trails~

 It was the kind of morning I'd been missing for weeks.  Overcast & probably at least 10 degrees cooler than yesterday.  A perfect day that actually felt like fall!  We were looking forward to getting our bikes out on the trails.

Start of the actual trail~

I don't really think of sidewalks along streets, or riding to the right of a painted line on a road as a trail.  As long as it's designated for bikes, in Iowa & most other places it's a trail.  We did ride a sidewalk for a few blocks, until Butch found a gravel road between buildings that dropped down to an alleyway going right to the trail.

The colors were gorgeous!

The surface was paved & so smooth!  It was like cruising through a fall paradise.  We enjoyed every mile of the trip north.  When we reached the edge of Spirit Lake, near the Hy Vee, we had a choice of trails.  Called the Iowa Great Lakes Trails, from what we rode, they are beautiful hard surface & well marked. 

Trails junction, Spirit Lake

It was obvious when we reached the crossing point for two trails.  We took photos of the map that was provided there.  Our goal had been Spirit Lake.

Tatanka Ska Trace - Beautiful, artistic Trail Signage~

From here it was easy to pick the correct trail going the direction we'd planned.  It wasn't long at all before we recognized where we were!  The same area at the south end of Spirit Lake where we'd driven in 2017.

Butch & the bikes~

It was such a still & quiet early afternoon.  A few people were fishing from the dock.  The trail from this point on followed a sidewalk along the road.

Sidewalk trail~

From here it wasn't far until we turned in an entrance to Isthmus Park. We were greeted by the cute carving below.  I wish we had an old stump just so I could have a carving.  

Owl carving~

After our visit & a short stop at the park, we returned on the same trail, back to the trail's junction.

Old paddle wheel boat~

The old boat above was off to the side.  Such a pretty thing, I have no idea if it still floats or what its history was. We decided to take the trail heading almost due west to Lake Park & Silver Lake.

Colorful!

It took us out of town & into the surrounding countryside.  A very long, very straight stretch of trail!  We rode out to the intersection of Hwy 86 before turning back. At that junction, we could have continued on another six miles or so to Lake Park or turned back south & ridden a sidewalk trail along 86 & around the south end of West Lake Okoboji.  Looking at it & the traffic, we decided to return the way we'd come.  Next visit, we'll start this way first & plan on visiting Lake Park.

Butch heading back east~

The open fields were beautiful & thankfully there was hardly any wind.  I appreciated getting back into the canopy of the golden trees!

Butch's bike along the trail~

Back at the Spirit Lake trail head for the second time, we found our way back to the trail to Okoboji.  It was a beautiful ride & the sun finally broke through the clouds.

Our Routes~

By the time we'd returned to our motel, we'd covered just under 24-miles.  If we lived in this area, I would have a lot more trails to choose from, but I think most are still at the side of roadways.  The Tatnka SKA trace is a newly opened trail of over 11 miles.  There are future trails planned too.  It was great fun to get out on such a super fall day & ride in a new-to-us area!

On West Lake Okoboji ~

 Friday was a sunshine & very warm day in Okoboji.  Just as warm as it's been at home & just as dry.  This year is the third time we've celebrated our anniversary in Okoboji.  Our first visit was in 2017 & last year was our second.  We went out for breakfast & walked through our favorite antique shop before heading over to Okoboji Boat.

Leaving the dock~

We'd reserved what's become our favorite boat, the Robalo - new last season.  The staff remembered us, since we come the same time of year & after the season is over.  We heard all about the flooding this spring & the damage it had done to properties around the lake.

First of the damage~

From what Luke told us, the repair estimates on some of the properties is upwards of $400,000.  We started up the east side of West Okoboji, to do our usual loop.  We rent the boat for two hours & it takes all of that to tour most of the shoreline.

Bank sloughed off~

It wasn't long until we began to see the damaged properties.  

Another severely damaged landscape~

This eastern shoreline was where the worst of the damage occurred, probably by wind driven waves.  I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere near the water!

Backyards gone right up to the decks~

The pictures don't show how choppy the water actually was.  I'd asked Butch to slow down so I could get photos.  The many of the trees were in full color, but there were a lot yet to turn.  I love seeing all the beautiful homes.  Originally many of the lots had small summer cottages, but those have been replaced over the years by large mansion type homes.  It's sad to see them gone.

North end of the lake~

We reached the north end of the lake & Okoboji Harbor before turning back to the south.  It wasn't long after we made the turn, the wind picked up & with it, the size of the waves.

Looking south from the north end~

I told Butch he could speed up!  I'd been feeling queasy for a while & it wasn't getting any better.  He opened the boat up & now we were flying along, hitting the tops of the waves with a thunderous thump each time.  Between the thumps, the boat would fall sideways into the troughs between the waves.  I looked down once & didn't do that again!  I was standing to absorb some of the impact.

Arnold's park~

Notice the flag in the photo above!  I love going fast, but I finally had to ask Butch to slow down.  By the time we were back at the dock, I was ready for firm ground.  Luke met us & asked me if I was usually green?  Butch told him the waves had done me in.

10-11-2013 Our favorite restaurant~

We drove back to the motel & I had to lay flat for a while, to recover.  All I could think about was how hungry I was!  I finally got up & decided dinner sounded really good.

Our drinks~

Not only dinner, but I needed to replenish my electrolytes!  An amazing Bloody Mary that the Store is famous for hit the spot!  We arrived before rush hour, so enjoyed a table out by the water.  As usual, the food was wonderful & the service perfect.  

I told Butch this may have been my last boat ride!  Next time, he can take the boat out & I'll sit on the shore of the state park, soak in the sun & watch him with the binoculars! :-)