North from Mineola to Council Bluffs~

 Another welcome break from the winds.  April, one of our most beautiful months has, again this year seen days & days of hard blowing wind.  It makes it pretty miserable to work outside, as I've found out.  It doesn't help when what had been our neighborhood's green lawns are still dirt from last year's private sewer project.  The wind picks up the dirt, the dirt swirls in the air & blasts everything in its path.  If I even consider using the hose to wash things off, the dirt flows.  A clean porch or deck is a thing of the past.  Even the siding on the house has turned from white to gray.

The trail too is very dusty & dry.  We're classified as in a moderate drought.  The most rain we've received in months is less than half an inch. 

Over Keg Creek~

I hadn't ridden this direction for a while but planned on going all the way to the north end of the trail at Council Bluffs. I always look forward to both the exercise & seeing the changes in the landscape each visit brings.  

Grading at Margaritaville~ 

When I came to Margaritaville, the change was evident!  The area had been reworked & graded, increasing the size & scope of the popular bike spot.  More picnic tables, more bike racks & more barbecue's. 

View from the bench at Margaritaville~

Tracks from the equipment were evident.  When the breeze picked up, even here the dust made mini dust devils.  The old hitching post acted as a backdrop for the trash receptacles.  No room to tie a horse, there hasn't been since the days I rode Farah.

A favorite territorial view~

Further on, it's easy to forget the use this section of trail sees.  Looking out over the rapidly greening countryside, you can almost forget that most of it will soon be planted with crops.  

The low underpass~

This underpass is so weird, with one side lower than the other.  The sunlight at the far end makes an interesting optical illusion.  I still can't believe I rode Farah through it, with my helmet touching the ceiling.

Patio at Tastee Treat!

I had an ulterior motive today!  I stopped at Tastee Treat & ordered the barbeque pulled chicken dinner to go!  While I waited, I decided a small bowl of ice cream would hit the spot!  I'd even remembered to bring bungee cords to attach my dinner to the rear rack.

New "Attraction" on the trail~

I'd passed this spot on my way north, but there had been several boys enjoying the chair.  It was empty when I was going back.  The trail had a contest to name the chair, but I haven't heard the outcome.

Blooms!

So many of the trees are in full bloom now!  The smell is just incredible!  After what seems like such long winter months to me, seeing green & flowers is wonderful!  After over eight years, I still miss the year-round greens of the Pacific NW.

View toward Mineola~

Going back is always fun with the long downhill grades.  The view across the fields to town in the distance is post card perfect, especially on such a clear day.

Bronco at the Mineola Trail head~

The Bronco was the only car at the Mineola trail head when I returned.  The new campground will see plenty of use I'm sure as the summer months arrive.  The intent is to promote trail tourism & the plan is to eventually add restrooms, showers & electricity in the future.

My route today, 20-mile RT~

The Google Earth photo above, shows my ride today & the east side of my route around Lake Manawa.  It's possible to ride from the trail, along one road, under I-29 & to the lake trails.  Many miles of interconnected trails are available, just a few though that don't require riding along the edge of roads.

When Butch called in the evening, I had to brag about my dinner!  It made the trip intact & really hit the spot!

A Perfect Spring Ride ~

 Butch arrived in town mid-day yesterday.  He picked me up on his way by & we spent the afternoon getting the trailer washed out at Blue Beacon in Council Bluffs.  The line was long as usual.  The groves in the floor were full of small potatoes from CO.  Cleaning those out cost an extra $20.  We thought the price was pretty reasonable considering! Traveler had a bath too!  

Slighty bruised potatoes anyone?  

Butch didn't know he'd be coming home until yesterday morning - when he was ready to leave Topeka.  After seven-weeks on-the-road, he had laundry & supplies to restock.  This morning he visited Brianna at the Hair Station in Tabor for a overdue haircut & beard trim!  After lunch, he installed the rear rack on his bike, loaded both bikes onto the Explorer & we were on our way to the park!  It was truly the most perfect day we've had this year-to-date!  Such a gift to be able to enjoy it together!

Butch & the bikes~

The park was busier than I'd seen it in quite a while.  Everyone wanted to take advantage of the sunshine, before the forecast drop in temperatures & rain/snow due for tomorrow.  One cyclist who passed us commented on how wonderful the warm sunshine felt!  Here, a lack of sun seems to be noticed so much more than it was in WA.  We're spoiled in so many ways!

Lake Manawa looking north toward Council Bluffs~

There was some haze in the air.  The only wind was intermittent & not as cold as it has been.  We took the trail out to the picnic area & sat on the bench for quite a while.  I'd stashed a couple fresh oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies in my bag.

Bandit & Smokey at the picnic area~

Every time we ride these bikes, we're so happy we found them.  The level of comfort & ease of riding is great.  I was beginning to think comfortable bikes were a thing of the past.  The Cannondale's proved me wrong.  If Butch can get out of the truck, get on his bike & easily ride ten-miles, it says a lot.

Connie & Smokey, Indian Creek Bridge~

There was a motorized vehicle using the shoulder of the Indian Creek trail.  Motorized are not allowed, but he didn't seem to care.  Otherwise, just a few people walking & a few bikes.

Mid-America Power Plant

We took a road that turns due south off the southern section of trail.  It ends at the public boat launch on the shore of the Missouri.  There's a great view of the power plant.  We stopped again to walk the shore, before riding back to the Explorer.

The Missouri~

The ride was over almost before we wanted it to be, but I had a alterior motive!  Tastee Treet was - of course - on our way home!  We picked up two smoked beef brisket meals for our dinner & ice cream for the drive home!  Yum!

I Couldn't Resist!

 A stuning day!  Light breeze & mid-50's!  The first day the feeling of Spring was really in-the-air!  We met at the Wabash Trailhead in Council Bluffs right at 2 p.m., both of us happy to be out on such a great day!

Mari Jo & the bikes~

I'd forgotten to turn on my Garmin, but I've done the route so many times I know the mileage by heart.  We rode through the old campground, then along the Veterans Memorial Hwy & turned onto the trail along Indian Creek.  We noticed a man up ahead, off his bike in the middle of the trail.  As we came up on him, Mari Jo asked if everything was OK - to which he responded, "No, I took a hard fall." 

We stopped & offered assistance.  We introduced ourselves & Mari Jo took a look at his bike. The front rim was badly bent & the brakes were jammed between the fork & the tire.  She disconnected the brakes & got the pads away from the tire.  She removed the front tire & the three of us tried to straighten it.  No luck - when he stepped on - he about launched Mari Jo & I into the air!  He was a big guy, well over 6'.  

No way was he riding the bike any further.  Mari Jo offered to ride back to the trailhead, get her truck & meet him at the nearest parking area.  He would still have quite a walk, pushing a broken bike - but he decided it would be a better solution than calling his wife! :-)

We took off, Mari Jo setting a good pace.  By the time we reached the turn-off to the lake trail, I told her to go on without me, she'd make better time.  We split up & I watched her fly off down the trail, with just a few miles to get back to her truck.

At the Lake~

I rode on to the picnic area & called Butch from my rest spot on the bench.  He was happy to be leaving CA, heading back to ID.  It was so beautiful out; it was hard to start back.

Smokey on the trail~

I was finding it a whole lot easier to ride with two properly inflated tires today! :-)  

Long shadow~

The final long stretch back, I did notice we'd left a little later than usual today, since the sun was already getting low in the sky to the west.

I-29 up ahead~

This is where the wind had been so awful the last time I was up here.  Today, was much easier!  Back at the trailhead, Mari Jo's truck was gone, which was what I expected.  I'll touch bases with her tomorrow to hear the rest of the story.

Where am I?  :-)

Tastee Treet has opened!  Happy Dance!  My only excuse is - it's on my way home!  I rewarded myself for a long winter season of suffering without my favorite sherbet!  It was just as yummy as I remembered.  I bought the pulled pork dinner, complete with potato salad & hush puppies!  Enough food to last me two dinners!  

I had to brag to Butch when he called! :-)

Fall in the Air~

 At around 8 p.m. tonight - fall officially arrives.  The weather the last two-days has been exceptional,  especially after our Tuesday of record breaking heat.  Yesterday, our Garden Club group took a trip to Kimmel Orchards in Nebraska City.  A hay ride, tour of the facility & shopping made for a day of fun. 

Kimmel Orchards

Today, was a nice as fall weather can be!  Cool, mid-60's, overcast & no wind made it the perfect day to try my luck.  I planned to ride from Mineola north to Council Bluffs on the trail.

Bridge over Keg Creek~

I hadn't ridden this section of trail all the way to Council Bluffs since April of 2020.  I do ride it from Mineola to Margeritaville & back.  It's one of my favorite rides in the fall & colder months.  The 8-mile round-trip isn't bad when you climb the grade on the way there, then get to enjoy the downhill on the way back.

Keg Creek~

It's such a pretty area with some really nice, more territorial views than the section south from Silver City I usually ride.

"Cowboy Pass"~

Always bitter-sweet too, since the six-miles south of Council Bluffs is the only section where horses are allowed.  It was one of the places Farah & I rode often.  We'd even gone all the way from Mineola north, before we realized the rest of the section of horse trail had been abandoned & was totally overgrown.

Margeritaville~ 

Margeritaville had new refuse containers, new flags & was looking very picked up for nearing the end of the biking ride season.  I didn't stay long, as I had no idea how long it would take me to get to Council Bluffs. 

Underpass - Council Bluffs~

I was moving right along!  Doing a really nice speed & even coasting in spots.  I'd forgotten this section is one that reverses the usual 3% uphill grade going north & downhill grade going south.  Here, Margeritaville is pretty much at the summitt of the hills & from there, you're droping down into Council Bluffs.

Trail-head, Council Bluffs~

Arriving at the northern most trail-head, I'd covered the ten-miles in under an hour.  As usual, the smell of cooking food coming from Tastee Treet was so tempting!  I'l learned my lesson the first time I'd done this though!  Having a root beer freeze, then riding the uphill grade back was not fun!  

A stop at Tastee Treat!

I bought some smoked brisket for my dinner & ended up tieing it to my pack on the back of the bike.  I just had a tiny cup of the Dole Watermellon soft serve!  

Going back was a bit of work, but not difficult.  Especially since I've been riding all summer.  There were more riders on the trail than I usually see, but I'm sure the wonderful weather contributed.

On the way back to Mineola~

The cloud cover rolled in again & the temperature felt like it had dropped.  Two groups of H.S. cross country kids were running on the trail & the tractor was out cutting the bush back along the sides.  The fumes from the tractor were no fun, I felt for the kids running.  I had an opportunity to pass & took it. 

Mineola, under it's canopy of trees~

Besides dodging all the walnuts, the last four-miles of downhill was as fun as I remembered!   I love the view of town, even when the townsite is obscured by trees.  A totally different view, dependent on the time of year.  

Fun in the Sun~

 With temperatures climbing to 70, time to enjoy it!  I loaded the bike & headed to Lake Manawa.  The Wabash has to be drying out quickly with the heat & sunshine, I might try it tomorrow.

North Wabash Trailhead~

I decided to leave from the trailhead in Council Bluffs & ride the connector trail to the Lake Manawa's trails.  It's not the most scenic portion, about 1.5 miles to the railway underpasses.

Heading south from the Parking, looking east~

The trail goes over Mosquito creek & under Interstate 29.  From here you can connect to the wide sidewalk/trail on the east side of the lake, where I turned north.

East side of the lake~

Both these areas are out in the open & the wind can be fierce.  Today though, it was moderate, 5-10 mph with only an occasional gust.  At the NE corner, the sidewalk goes alongside the Veteran's Memorial Highway.  It's noisy & I go at a good pace before turning off at Tractor Supply & taking the street that also acts as part of the trail system.  The end of it used to go into a campground, now deserted & sold.

In the campground~

I found this big log, under the Cottonwood tree & decided it would make a good spot to call Butch.  He'd texted he was done with his day's drive.  It's a pretty spot, just past the northern tip of the lake.  It's far enough away from most of the traffic to be quiet too.

South side trails~

The long stretch along the power lines & into the wind on the west side puts you across the bridge at Indian Creek & you turn into the pretty trails at the SW corner.

Picnic shelter, SE corner of the lake~

I almost missed the new to me pretty trail to the lake.  I'd taken the usual offshoot trail, then turned back onto the main trail going east, when I realized I had to have passed it!  I turned back, this time staying on the main trail & sure enough, there it was.  No wonder we'd missed it so many times, since we always took the pretty little off-shoot trail through the woods.

Me & Smokey~

This area gives such nice, sweeping views of the lake.  By now, it was getting later in the afternoon & even with the longer days, Nika likes her dinner on time!  :-)

The way back north~

At the SE corner, I turned north again, with the long trail back to the trailhead parking.  This time, the wind was at my back, it's so fun to fly along on paving!  By the time I was back at the Explorer, I'd ridden just under 15-miles.  

Tastee Treet was OPEN!  I had to stop for the barbeque pulled chicken, hush puppies & potato salad to go!  Nika was happy I made it home in time for her dinner!  What a day to end the month of February!  Now - if we could just get some nice rains...

Mineola to Council Bluffs - RT ~

I'm back to watching the weather, as I did all the years I was riding a horse!  Today dawned another stunner.  Low humidity & mild winds - perfect for getting out on the Wabash trail.

I drove the Bronco to Mineola, where I was surprised to find the trail-head parking almost full - mid-day on a week day.  I shouldn't have been, with so few people working.  Lifting Speedy off the bike rack is a chore, she weighs more than my saddle!

Annoying riders~ 

There was an older couple ready to leave just after I did.  It wasn't long until I couldn't help but hear very loud, obnoxious music coming from behind me!  I pulled off & the couple thanked me as they went by.  If someone wanted to enjoy the quiet of the trail, it wouldn't be anywhere in this couple's vicinity!  Even when I took the above photo - I could still hear the music!  I caught back up to them a couple times & stopped again to gain quiet distance.

At Farah & my favorite spot~

This was the first time I'd been on this section of the trail, without being with Farah.  It was certainly bittersweet.  I'm out on the trail, but completely on my own now...  Without the companionship of my mare.  She & I used to enjoy this section so much.

12-18-17 With Farah~

My goal, was Tastee Treat!  About the time I saw the mileage marker for the last half-mile, I could smell the food!  Still open for business, but take-out only of course.  I just had to have a small root beer freeze!  I sat in the shade & sipped it slowly.

Speedy didn't want anything~

I'd been a little late getting on the trail, leaving Mineola at 1:54 & arrived here at 2:56.  The most accurate map I've found calls it 9.6 miles.  Past Margaritaville, the trail one section was almost flat - nice.

To report "trespassing" call the Sherriff!

As I started back, it wasn't long until I wished I hadn't had that frostie...  I was distracted by all the new signs! As if horses are an issue?!  Not!  Even when I was out here a lot with Farah.  The neighboring landowners would often mention - I was the first horseperson they'd seen on the trail in forever!

More signs!

There was a sign at literally every intersection!  As for dogs?!  Here too, invisible leashes are the rage!   My brother & I first noticed them as we hiked Mt. Sanitas, outside Boulder in 2010.  At one point, two riders were ahead of me & a young boy with a huge dog, holding him by only the collar.  The dog got visibly agitated as the two riders went by.  Great, I'm next...  In my friendliest voice I said;  "Hi" to the boy.  Hearing me speak seemed to defuse the dog somewhat & I peddled on by.  Some people would even apologize - as I waited while they tried to catch their dog or dogs.

Beautiful creek~

I was thankful - I knew those last four-miles were a downhill grade!  No more frostie's for me, when I've got ten more miles to ride!  It was so beautiful out & I only ran into a few riders heading the other direction.

View of Mineola~

I stopped one last time, at a new commemorative, bench to get this photo of Mineola.  I was just a mile out from the trailhead when suddenly I saw a long piece of corn husk flying through the air in front of me.  Since I can't see on the right, I'd missed the formation of a dust devil on the recently plowed field, to the right of the trail.  No turning your rear to the wind on a bike...  I squinted my eyes almost shut & kept on peddling, just managing to keep Speedy upright.

Back by 4:20, I'm going to call it 20-miles.  I'm told it's considered one of the more difficult sections to ride.  I still need to put a call in to Garmin!  I missed hearing those miles buzzing away so quickly!  :-)