The Littlest Hero~

Another saga - Part I

Butch arrived home early afternoon the first of May!  The weather was perfect.  We had planned & were looking forward to a busy & fun four days of home time.

Home!

The following night, we had tickets to the Blue Rose PRCA Charity Rodeo at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds.  We always enjoy a rodeo, but to be honest, the arena was very small & grandstand seating the most crowded & uncomfortable we've seen.  We left a few minutes early to get ahead of the traffic.

Ready to leave from Imogene!

Sunday, Butch loaded our bikes & Finn's cart.  Our plan was to ride from Imogene to Shenandoah & stop for frozen yogurt at Kats Koolerz before heading back.  We'd made this ride in April of 24.  Finn surprised us by jumping right in his cart!  He was ready to ride!

Walnut Creek - upstream~

The creeks had more water flowing than we'd expected.  It was such a beautiful spring afternoon.  The leaves were still opening on the trees & the smell of wild plum blooms filled the air.  Finn had been standing up, then sat facing forward most of the way.  Every so often he always looks back to be sure I'm still following.

Bridge over Walnut Creek~

Below is the second of the downed trees we had to navigate around.  Butch went first & made it under at the right side of the trail.  This section of trail was in rougher shape than we expected.  

3:21 p.m. Downed trees~

I was relieved to see when Butch & Finn made it through.  I took the photo & followed.  We hadn't gone much farther when the trail reached the intersection of 160th.  Butch was quite a way ahead of me.  He & Finn cleared the road & continued down the trail.  

The road had been freshly graveled.  As with many of our gravel road crossings, the level of the road was much higher than the trail surface.  I misjudged the depth of the gravel, was going too slow & should have been in a higher assist gear.  I wasn't...  When my rear tire started bogging down, just shy of cresting the road, I shifted.  Another mistake.  The extra power spun the rear tire out from under me, with enough force to throw me & the bike up onto the road.  

I lost control of the bike & started falling to my right.  My right knee was at the top of the pedal rotation & took the blunt of the fall.  I heard the bones snap as I hit.  When I tried to move my leg, the feeling was all too familiarly sickening.  Thankfully, I'd fallen clear of the bike, it was in the middle of the road & so was I.  I tried to move, but on gravel & with nothing to use to leverage me up, it wasn't going to happen.  I couldn't reach my phone, still on the handlebars.  When Butch didn't return, I realized he had no idea I'd fallen.

Running out of options & worried I'd be run over, I yelled out his name as loud as I could.  A minute later I heard Finn barking.  It sounded a long way down the trail.  I yelled one more time as the barking continued!

Butch told me later, he had been cruising along when suddenly Finn went nuts!  He started barking his loudest ever bark!  Butch stopped & turned to see what the problem was.  That's when he realized I wasn't behind them.  As he was getting his bike & Finn's cart turned around - Finn was fighting to get out of his escape proof harness.  Next, he tore at the bottom of the zippered door at the front of his cart & leaped out!  He started running back the way they'd come - full speed!  Butch went after him.  

I was waiting, since the barking had stopped.  I knew Finn must have gotten Butch's attention.  Sure enough, a couple minutes later the two of them appeared at the road.  Never have I seen a sweeter sight!  Butch put his arms around me & lifted me to the side of the road.  Finn came running to me & laid as close to me as he could - looking up into my eyes...  He was so proud to have found me!  

3:52 p.m. My Hero's~

Butch called 911 & within a very short time we could see a dust cloud approaching fast.  It wasn't the ambulance!  A black car flew by us without even slowing down...  Crazy scary...  The next dust cloud - was the ambulance out of Shenandoah.  These guys are my human hero's!  A highly trained, compassionate team who listened to my concerns.  Incredulous I had suffered such a similar injury.  I made sure to tell them of my tendency to develop Compartmental Syndrome. 

4:05p.m. On our way~

In the meantime, another senior eBike rider had appeared & offered his assistance.  He went for his pickup truck, then returned to help Butch load my bike.  Butch rode his bike & pulled Finn back to the Bronco, where he & the good Samaritan met up.  I wish we'd thought to get his name.  He told Butch he hadn't planned to ride, but his wife told him to go.  She said; "You never know, someone might need your help."  Well - someone did & we are eternally grateful.  

I can't express how much I love our little brown dog.  He was very unhappy when Butch returned to the Bronco without me.  He spent several days of the week following with Grama Doris while Butch was with me.  My goal was to go home by Mother's Day.  Butch took the photo below just before they left to pick me up.  

Finn giving Butch "the Look" Mother's Day Morning~

Butch had planned to leave on Tue. the 12th.  Nationwide has been extremely kind & understanding.  He was told to stay home as long as it takes & let them know when he's ready to leave.  

I'm so very grateful for the village of amazing professionals who have cared for me these last weeks.  I am the luckiest woman in the world to be married to the man who took me as his wife!  The "better or worse" part is a bit lopsided!

Imogene to Shenandoah ~

 Another perfect day this week!  Butch came home Saturday afternoon & by Sunday we were loading the bikes.  It would be Butch's first ride on his new e-bike & pulling Finn's trailer.

Butch & Finn - ready to rumble!

We decided to drive to Imogene & ride south to Shenandoah.  We'd ridden north from Shenandoah March of 2021 & not made it quite to Imogege before turning back.

On the trail~

It didn't take Butch long at all to decide this bike is a huge improvement over the first one he'd tried. Finn though, was not happy we'd forgotten his flat pad & instead had to use his travel bed.  It was hard for him to stand up.  He loves standing the whole ride.

Very low river!

Riding a pedal assist bike didn't slow my trail companions down much.  Finn likes going fast too!

On one of the longer bridges~

The wild Plums were still in bloom,  it was a cloudless day & so nice to be out in the countryside. 

East Nishnabotna River~

As we rode closer to town, we were soon on the longest bridge of the 64-mile length of the Wabash trail.

On the East Nishnabotna Bridge~

We'd seen no other riders all morning. 

Butch's new bike & Finn in his trailer!

Once we entered the park, there were more families out enjoying the day.  Finn barked at some boys & they got a kick out of seeing him in his trailer. 

Butch continued on from the park.  We were soon riding down the main street of town.  I finally figured out where we were going!  Kats Koolerz ice cream!

Parked in Shenandoah~

There's a nice grassy area with picnic tables in the shade.  Our first ice cream of the season really hit the spot!  We started back toward Imogene.  This section of trail is a nice climb, but the bike's made it doable with greater ease.

Taking a short break on our way back - I returned to Shadow to find my front tire totally flat!  Butch tried to pump it up, but it lost air as fast as he could pump.  My Garmin said we were only two miles from the Explorer.  

Butch & Finn went on ahead to get the car.  I told Butch I'd start walking the bike to the nearest road.  As luck would have it - the trail crossed over on a high overpass.  The way down to the road was steep & totally overgrown.   I continued on - thankful for the "walk" setting on the computer.   That gave me up to 3.5 mph of assist by the motor. 

Shadow- lame in front :-)

I walked on to the next road at the edge of Imogene.  Butch had driven to the first road, but when I called, soon came back a mile & found me!  

When I opened the back door of the Explorer to see Finn - he leaped into my arms!  Butch said he had been SO upset when he realized I wasn't with them.  He'd whined, barked & tried every way he knew to tell Butch they had forgotten me!  

Butch was sure Finn would have taken off in a split second to go find me!  He insisted on sitting on my lap for the trip home!  What a loyal little guy!  I was so very lucky my husband was riding with me & we weren't further out.

We spent some time on Monday at The Bike Way in Omaha getting the flat fixed.  It was a Locust thorn that had ripped almost a 1/4" hole in the tube.  The tires Cannondale put on this bike were a substitute for what it was advertised as having & not as good...  We'll be changing them out!

Imogene to Shenandoah ~

 A Perfect!  Totally Perfect day!  Sunshine, mid-50's & no wind!  We'd made too many plans to fit in to the day.  I was so appreciative of Butch's support in taking me to Imogene & dropping Breezy & I off to make the ride south to Shenandoah.  There were no cars parked at the trail head.  I used to know almost exactly how long it would take me to ride a portion of trail.   Now, that time has about doubled since my injury.  I told him to expect me in anywhere from 1+ to 2 hours.

On our way~

It was a totally quiet morning.  On a weekend, farther north, the trail is usually busier than I like.  I hadn't known what to expect - but having it to myself was more than I could have asked for.  This would be the first real test of the new rear cassette.

From the Walnut Creek bridge~

I was a little apprehensive as Butch drove away.  I'd not ridden this section of trail since May of 2020 on Speedy.  I'd left from Malvern & ridden over 23-miles on that day.  I'd also been in great shape, riding a bike I knew would get me there.  From Imogene, it's only nine-miles, but it's a more difficult section of the trail, with a couple steep, long grades.  I had no idea, if the new gears would be what I needed.

Down a beautiful hall of trees~

Soon, my apprehension vanished!  The bike was shifting great, the low gears much more reminiscent of my Townie & useable!  I was working hard enough to remove my coat by the second mile in.

Further along~

March of this year, Butch & I had left from Shenandoah on our Electra's & ridden north on the trail.  It's a brutal uphill grade & we'd worked hard for three-miles, in a stiff wind, before we called it quits & turned back.  I planned to try to text Butch when I reached our turn-around spot, knowing I'd be three-miles out.

At the Pond!

I recognized the road when I came to it & soon after saw the little pond where we'd taken a break.  Now, I was on the downhill portion of the trail, all the way to the flats on the far side of the river.  Here I was, almost to town & still hadn't seen anyone on the trail.  Only one big white tail deer, had stood her ground until I was within a few hundred feet, before jumping away into the timber.

Nishnabotna River Bridge~

I hadn't ridden in two-weeks, but felt pretty good considering.  I used all the lower gears, first worked so well.  I could continue forward, had some bite to the peddles & my legs weren't flying round-n-round.

Breezy at the town sign~

Sportsman's park is such a nice place.  A swimming pool, playground, picnic areas & of course the trail.  I continued to the Train Station & heard Butch call my name as I approached.  He'd enjoyed his two-hours of quiet on a beautiful sunny day.  My speed hasn't been anywhere near as fast I used to ride, but it was my most pleasant ride on the Verve to date.  My stats~  

When I returned, Butch had me ride on the paving in the parking area.  He told me he wanted me to go through every single gear.  I did & it was obvious the lower 9-gears are what I will use now.  The upper gears I made it through, gaining speed with each stroke, but my knees revolted!  I'm sure the top 5 gears  will seldom be used.

Butch & I have been discussing my future enjoyment of the trail.  Things have changed for me since the injury.  My strong leg has become the weaker one - though I'm still hopeful for continued improvement.  I've changed from a bike with more forward pedals, to one with the pedals under the seat.  The frame is definitely too big for me.  When I have to make an unexpected stop, it's difficult to get off the seat & dismount.  Then, of course there's the gearing issues, now resolved.  I may be bike shopping again, looking for something - somewhere between the Townie & the Verve~

North from Shenandoah~

 Sunday was such a beautiful day!  I mentioned a bike ride to Butch & he agreed.  We hadn't been to Shenandoah for a long while.  The Depot was open for indoor dining - so we stopped there first for lunch.

Butch at the Train Station~

There wasn't much activity at Sportsman's Park.  I couldn't remember much about the trail from my last ride south from Malvern.  It had been since early May of last year.  I thought it had been relatively easy.

Bridge over the Nishnabotna River~

With just a light breeze & riding on the paving, it didn't take us long to reach the river.

Butch on the bridge~

Soon after, we ran off the paving & back to the limestone.  It was dry, but had deep groves each time the trail crossed a road.  I think the run-off from the road softens the trail & bikes had been on it, when it was still too wet.  In the photo below you can see the ruts.

To the pond~

We took a break on the bench here.  The frogs were croaking, a sound we both miss from nights in WA, during late winter & early spring.  To this point, we'd gone three-miles, all of it an uphill grade.  The wind had picked up too.

Where we turned back~

The next mile, continued on the same.  We reached 160th.  It looked like we'd have downhill from this point on, toward Imogene, but my leg said;  "No!" in a big way.  It had bottomed out - with the continual climb. :-(  We decided to turn back.

Butch coming up the grade~

Butch stayed game throughout!  He never mentioned turning back, until I did!  At least - as I told him - we knew the way back would be all downhill!

Back at the Park~

  I was a little discouraged my leg hadn't worked better, but I'm still a way from the year the Doctor's told me healing would take.  We did get a workout, 8-miles, half of it up!  Pretty good for so early in the season.  Enough of one, we stopped for ice cream before heading home! 

End of the Wabash~

My plan, was to ride the last section of trail, from Shenandoah to the end of the Wabash Trace, Blanchard, IA.  The weather was less than cooperative with winds gusting 20-30 mph.  We left home around noon for the hour drive down.  Last weekend we'd ridden to Ike's, but I wanted to leave again from Shenandoah.

Leaving Waubonsie Park, Shenandoah~

Butch took the above photo, before leaving for Blanchard.  There, he'd unload his bike & ride the trail toward Coin.  Our plan was to meet on the trail.  I had 5-miles to Ike's, 7.5 to Coin & 5.4 to Blanchard. 

Trail signage~

There are only a few of the Wildlife Refuge signs that aren't totally rusted now.  I have to laugh - I guess the animals are aware the Refuge is very linear!  I did spook a nice big white tail doe!

Along both sides of the trail - beautiful blooms of pink!

All the blooming flowers were the highlight of the trip.  The wind though - was awful.  Most of way hitting from the side, but occasionally I'd get some forward thrust when a blast would hit from behind.

Tarkio River Crossing~

The trail was really beautiful, more lush greens.  The gray skies added a foreboding mood to otherwise beautiful scenes of the countryside.

Welcome sign in the tree!  5-miles to Coin!

The trail outside Shenandoah had been just fine, with a nice, just slightly softer surface.  But from about this point on, it became just a bit sticky.  Not enough so to mark the trail surface, nor attach to my tires, but enough to add to the effort.

Phlox billowing in the wind - outside Coin!

I was excited to see we were entering the edge of Coin!

Nice picnic area~

The camping & picnic area for trail users was really nice.  I was expecting to see Butch at any time from here on out & disappointed he wasn't here.

Butch found a handy bench!

It wasn't a mile further - when up ahead I could just see a silver bike!  Sure enough - my husband!  He had navigated the five-miles of trail out from Blanchard - into the wind!  Not only was he fighting the wind, but the trail was stickier than before.  Obviously, they'd had more rain here.

Last leg to Blanchard~

We shared a small bag of chips, before continuing on.  After a couple miles I was even more impressed with Butch's ride, it was straight & somewhat monotonous.

The END!

Butch put me back in the lead, well before we arrived at the end, so I'd have the full effect :-)  It did seem a little strange, after having ridden all the continuing sections of the trail, to have it suddenly stop!

Connie & Speedy!

We rode the couple blocks to where the State Line signage is.  After all, I for sure wanted a photo to mark the occasion!  The trail is really beautiful all the way to Coin, but the long, flat stretch to the end is really not that fun.

Butch & Silver~

It had taken me just over 2.5 hours to cover the 18.07 miles, with my average moving speed 7.5.  Better than I'd expected with the wind.

Blanchard Trailhead~

The Blanchard Trailhead hadn't seen any mowing, or probably any activity in a while.  Butch had the truck parked just up from where I took this photo.  We waded through the knee high weeds & loaded the bikes for the trip home.

Google view of the trails end~

We were both starved! Tobey Jack's was our destination for dinner.  We're still enjoying the novelty of sitting inside a restaurant.  My quest to ride the entire trail - in sections - is now accomplished.  Since I started bike riding again - April first, I've ridden just over 165-miles.  It looks a little funny on my Garmin stats to see the switch from horses to a bike - but I'll take it - it's a ride!

Malvern to Shenandoah~

Weather watching again - today was to be cool - no wind & no rain until tomorrow.  The clouds did look ominous as I drove to Malvern.

Our parking spot at Agriland~

My plan was to ride again to Imogene 13.6 mi., & on to Shenandoah, another 8.9, for a total of 23-miles.  On the roads, it was 28-miles.  Butch & I planned to meet by 6 p.m. at the trailhead in Shenandoah.  (Of course, neither of us had been to the trailhead!)  I hoped to make the ride in four-hours, with no idea what the trail was like past Imogene.

Speedy at Fast Stop!

We left promptly at 2 p.m.  Speedy was insistent about stopping at Butch's gas station for a photo!   With my Garmin working again - yippee - it was so nice to know about where I was on the trail & how fast I was going.  I wore my light weight rain coat, it was actually chilly.

Sign in the trees says;  "Ten-miles to Imogene"

It took me about three-miles to take the jacket off.  The greens are popping fast now!  The trees are really leafing out, a big change from even last week.

Cottonwood Pass~

There is a big, long uphill grade about 2/3rds of the way to Imogene.  I remembered it & decided to stop near the top for a photo of the beautiful Cottonwoods.

Imogene Bike Area~

We reached Imogene at 3:50 p.m.  I decided to rest for ten-minutes & eat the peanuts I'd bought, for a snack.  I wanted to check out the inside of the grain bin, but the door was locked.  The clouds would move in, then out, within minutes.  I got cold here & put on my jacket, knowing it would be coming off shortly.

Far side of Imogene~

Before I was a couple miles out of town, the sky cleared.  Another stunning spring afternoon in the heartland!  (Today, was Farah's 14th birthday.  I missed her...  I asked Grandson Ben to visit her for me & take her carrots.  I hope he did.)  The trail from this point on, had more of a sandy surface.  Smoother, but at one point Speedy's rear tire spun a little sideways.

My second selfie~

By now, I was still feeling just fine.  My knees are getting used to all the work & Speedy has lost the random squeaks.  We were averaging over 8-mph & our fastest was 17.3 on one flat stretch.

4:33 p.m. Walnut Creek~

The clouds added so much to the beauty of the landscape!  Every time I thought I might get wet, the darkest of them would sail on by.

I must have been near Essex~

Coming up on a road crossing - I could hear emergency vehicles.  The first two passed by before I could get my camera out for a photo.  The dust was flying, lucky for me, in the other direction!  Yes, that's a decent hill you see on the far side.  The beginning of another long, uphill grade.  This one, seemed to go on forever.  I could see the hill on the horizon & hoped we'd reach the top soon!

Dwarf Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne~

Seeing the beautiful dark purple flowers at the side of the trail, gave me a reason to stop for a short break.  It wasn't too long after this, I came to the Hwy 59 crossing.  Traffic was flying by!  I took a quick look both directions & made it over to the far side.  I knew I had to be getting close to Shenandoah when the Garmin turned over 20-miles!

Bridge over the Nishnabotna River~

This was the longest bridge we've been on yet!  Speedy is as good with bridges as Farah!

Between the bars~

The photo above was almost to the mid-point of the span.  A beautiful bridge over a beautiful river!

The East Nishnabotna River ~  5:10 p.m.

Once we were off the bridge, the trail was paved!  The paving was cracked, patched & almost rougher than the limestone surface.  Bike riders in WA would have a complete fit without the smooth surfaces they're so used to on the Centennial Trail!

5:20 p.m. - We've arrived!

I was amazed we'd made such good time!  3 hr.'s. 20 min. for the 22.70-mile ride.  Farah & I did our only 25-mile ride in 3 hr.'s 21min. for second place.  I think Speedy & I could match that time - but not with the 3,626 ft. of elevation gain!  Our gain was 686 ft.

Old Station at the Shenandoah Trailhead~

I was waiting for Butch, he was waiting for me, out at Hwy 59, where there's an off road gravel parking area.  (He had arrived there within five-minutes of my crossing!)  :-(  With no cell service, after an hour I called 911.  They got through to Butch & finally - he found me!  Lesson learned!

Ride Route~

By the time we were back in Malvern, we were starving.  Tobey Jacks is open & we made it just before closing.  They were kind enough let us order & we have to thank the owners & staff for our first sit-down dinner - in a restaurant - for months!

This weekend, we hope to ride one of the last sections of the trail, south, to the Missouri border.