Learning Bike Mechanics~

 Monday's are the day Mari Jo closes the shop & rides her bike.  Today, our schedules worked & we actually got out on the trail!  It was warm, but mid-80's & lower humidity worked for me.  Mari Jo rides in about any heat.

Mari Jo on the Trestle~

There were several riders out on the trail today.  I had manged to move the rear gear guard out of positiion the last time I washed Smokey & Mari Jo noticed & showed me how to re-attach it.  Next, my rear break was squeeking!  I think my over zealous cleaning with the hose had gotten water in the disc's.  With a few more miles & breaking, the noise went away.

Arrriving at the bridge, I asked for a short stop.  What I didn't get - riding with Mari Jo - were pictures!  :-)  I wanted to stop at the park for a break, but the picnic area was full of tents & a large group of boys on bikes.  We nixed that for a quick stop at the depot in town.  

On the way back, for the first time ever, my chain derailed.  Mari Jo had moved in front of me, there was an on-coming rider.  I think I'd tried to shift at the same moment & that's when the chain went thunk!   I stopped instantly & was glad I did, since the chain was already tightly stuck.  Again, Mari Jo came to the rescue & got it unstuck.  She said she's seen it happen to the point it was so bad the bike had to be partly dissasembled, pedals removed etc. to get it free.  Thankfully, mine wasn't that bad.

While we were working on that, another rider from Silver City stopped & told me I'd picked the right person to ride with!  So true!  I'm still learning about bikes & there's more to learn than I thought!  With the chain back in place, we finished the ride.

Now, I'm going to be more careful about where I spray water on the bike & pay attention when I'm shifting!  Lesson's learned!  I'm just so used to riding alone.   I ended up talking Mari Jo out of four huge tomatoes from her garden!  Butch arrived home shortly after I did.  We really enjoyed those fresh tomatoes in BLT's!

Fresh Air ~

 The weatherman promised us a cooler morning.  The prevaling wind direction had changed from heat coming up from the south, to cooler air moving down from the north overnight.  The humidity dropped & the air had a fresh smell.  The day was to warm again into the 90's by afternoon, so I loaded Smokey for an early than usual ride.

As I was leaving Silver City I heard the sound of a heilcopter & stopped to take his picture has he flew across the trail.

Heilcopter above~

He seemed to be moving off to the east as I entered the shade of the trees.  It was so cool & so nice, but I knew it wouldn't last long.  About that time, the sound of the chopper became defening!  I was coming to the first of the three clearings with views of the fields, so pulled off & walked over to get a photo.  I didn't expect to see him coming parallel with the trail & SO close!  

Crop spraying soybeans~

I snapped the picture - ran for Smokey & peddled as fast as I could - trying not to breathe while staying  ahead of the sprays drift.  Thankfully, he again turned to the east in just a couple hundred feet.  We have so few days without wind, I'm sure the pilots take advantage of them.

Under the canopy of the Walnuts~

I was relieved when the sound of the heilcopter faded off into the distance!  The quiet of the morning returned.  I passed a few other riders out enjoying what was left of the mornings fresh air.  The trail surface is again - so dry it's cracking open in places.  Of course the ground in my woods at home is cracking too.  At least in the places where the moles haven't dug it up!

On the Trestle~

I took my time today, it's always so refreshing just to be out.  I love the quiet of the Trestle & songs of the birds.  The Cardinals were pretty active too, the last of the ripe mulberries are enjoyed by all  the birds.

Farms & farmland~

On the south side of the Hwy 34 underpass is this beautiful view.  The green, greens of cultivated crops & the blue of the summer sky.

Bohner Pond

I rode in to the Depot, then around a few blocks of town, admiring all the flowers & vegtable gardens!  (I did plant a sad looking tomato this year.  He was the last Earl May had when I was there.  I've babied it & now it's big, healthy & blooming!  I'm hoping for fresh tomatoes before the end of the season!)

When I told Mari Jo of my new rest area at the pond, she informed me the pond has a name!  A family was camped across the way.  A darling little girl was riding her tiny bike with her brother, while the mother pushed a baby stroller with two more small children!  The little girl had flowers on her bike, flowers on her handlebar bag, helmet & was wearing a beautiful floral summer dress!  Talk about style!  I complimented her on her beautiful bike!  Dad was fishing & had just caught a really nice bass!

Back to the trail~

Turning back for Silver City, the day was warming by the minute.  I didn't waste much time & hoped to beat the worst of the heat.  

Silver Creek~

The river is still running at it's normal summertime level, I'm thankful for that, since the creeks that feed into it, are almost dry.

Happy Trails~

I went inside the shop to cool off & talk with Mari Jo before leaving for home. With no grocery store in town, Mari Jo stocks, drinks, snacks & ice cream treats!  A group of kids came in from the library & had a tough time deciding between chips & candy bars!  They were excited that the fire dept. was turning on the hydrant's.  By the time I was leaving, they were splashing in the cold water!  I love seeing kids be kids in small town Iowa!

Fifty-mile Week~

 I didn't intent to ride as often, but with the weather staying moderate & my mowing slowing down a bit, I enjoyed the opportunity to get in three rides.  I considered a different part of the trail, but I like this one so much.

South on the Wabash~

I was peddling along thinking about how each visit I see new things, or something different, when my eye caught sight of the feather below!

My Find!  Yet to be identified~

Laying right in the middle of the trail, it couldn't have been there long, as there were more riders out today.  It's nine inches long & similiar to the one I found in our woods just a week ago.

Found last week~

I've sent both photos to our local naturalist at Pony Creek, to see if she can identify them.  The one above is six-inches long.  Exciting stuff - if you're me :-)  I've always considered them very good luck.

( Years ago, I came home from my last day as a Household Manger for my friends in Lake Stevens after over eight-years.  I was so sad that my daily time with their son Lee was at end.  (His sister had gone off to college.) He'd managed to grow up when I wasn't looking!  I pulled up to the gate at the Homestead, stepped out of the Bronco & found a beautiful Hawk feather right at my feet.  I have it attached to the Indian Mandala Butch & I bought years ago from a member of the Stillaquamish tribe.)

Shade on the trestle~

It really was a another beautiful day, but I'd forgotten my electrolytes.  I decided to ride into town to the pharmacy & pick something up before turning back.  All they had was one large  box of EmergenC.  It was fun fitting it into my bike pack.  I'd brought an extra bottle of water, so it worked!

New art installation~

I'd seen new poles installed along the side of the trail, as I was riding past on Monday.  I thought maybe Heartland Coop was putting up a fence?  But no, now I understand this is the newest Malvern art installation.  It looks like left over steel scrap, but it does screen the view of the anhyrous tanks.

Entering the park, Malvern

I LOVE the view entering the park from off the trail!  The curving side walks add so much shape to the landscape.  You can see the covered picnic area where I take my break in the background.

Creeks running low~

I was surprised at how low the creeks are, but shouldn't be.  We're still very low on rainfall & were lucky to get the little bit we did last week.

Just a little way to go!

Heading back, I made good time & liked the lift the electrolyte gave me, my shirt was soaked.  I got home & downloaded my stats, realizing then I'd breached the 50-mile mark.  If getting to  the trail didn't involve a 24-mile round-trip - I'd be out there more often - on Cooler days!  

Lake Manawa ~

 I'm enjoying two-cooler, more seasonal days the end of July!  Starting Monday, we're supposed to get hot, hotter & hotter still throughout the upcoming week.  At least four days with temperatures reaching or exceding the triple digits.

 Wabash northern trailhead~

I decided to drive up to Lake Manawa.  I hadn't ridden there since May 22nd on a wonderful 60+ degree spring day.  Today, we were in the low 80's with low humidity.  There was just a light breeze at home, but once I got out on the trail acorss the valley, the wind was really blasting.  I'm starting to think this area gets more wind than we do.

"Views"  Mosquito Creek, I-29 & Mid-American Coal Plant in the background~

Even without much traffic on I-29, there was still noise.  The first part of the ride, going along side some major streets is noisy.  I forget how much so when I haven't been there in a while.

Tip-toe through the posion ivy!

I stopped in the shade of a huge Cottonwood, at the edge of the old campground to talk to Butch.  I looked down to see pretty new green shoots everywhere!  :-)    

The old campground~

Such a beautiful place, someday it will probably be covered with high rise condo's - most of which would have amazing views of the lake.  There were two barrels holding up a new "No Tresspassing" sign as I came out to the north.  I ride in from the west, around a gate.  The landowner must have had issues, to warrent the new sign.

Entering the Park~

After the long straight stretch along Indian Creek, I cross the bridge & turn into the park!  My favorite section.  

New Campground~

The new campground was probably 2/3rds full!  No wonder with summer in full swing & a park so close to the Omaha metro area.  It would be interesting to go through & see how many NE plates there are.  Maybe less than I think.

Omaha in the distance~

I took my break at the far picinc area.  It was just so plesant to sit out in the sun, listen to the water & watch the clouds crossing over the lake.  I could have spent the afternoon.  

Cottonwood & grasses~

The sunlight was so beautiful today & the air very clear.  Maybe the lower humidity helped.  On days with high humidity I think I can see a haze in the air.  

Wildflowers~

I haven't identified the flowers above yet, but I saw my first Monarch of the year!  Finishing my circut of the lake, I rode right into a strong north wind on the way back to the parking lot.

Once home, I was walking over to the cabin when a Swallowtail flew right in front of me, to land in the Echinacea!  Both in the same day!  The birds, bees & butterflies love it when I turn the sprinkler on.  I'm trying to do the minimum, but the ground is so dry it's cracking.  

With August coming in HOT, I can only hope it will go out on a cooler note!

Must be Raindrops ~

 A cloudy, cooler day!  I'd been hopeful for a while July would ease off just a bit & provide us with a day of rain.  The weatherman dissapointed me when at noon, our chance of rain had dwindled to none.  Dissapointed on one hand, but pleased on the other, a perfect day to get out for a bike ride.

Mari Jo was just coming off the trail when I arrived.  I'd planned to go to Council Bluffs, until I'd heard the rain wouldn't happen.  My change in plans nixed our ride together.

Smokey & tall corn!

Mid-70's felt almost cool after all the days of heat.  The humidity was high enough to keep me sweating - but there was also just a slight breeze.  The corn is getting so tall now, it's blocking our views!  :-)

The wild grape starting to climb up the bridge rails~

I stopped on this bridge, the Mulberry tree beside it has branches hanging right within reach, full of ripe berries.  It seems they've been ripe for most of the month, even after the big wind that took so many off the trees.

Mulberries!

I just love getting out on these rare cloudy days!  Such a nice break from our usual summertime blazing sunshine.

Smokey & the Walnuts

There are at least three areas of the trail where the Walnut trees dominate.  Two large ones were blown down this last time - the first time I've seen a Walnut go down.  I rode in to the Depot, then made a big square loop through part of the lower residential area of Malvern, before going back to the park.

Malvern Park pond~

It's seldom we have a still day.  As you can tell from the water, it was very quiet & what little breeze there had been when I started out, had died.  Just as I was leaving, I felt a few raindrops!  With 8-miles ahead of me, I decided I'd better make time or risk getting wet!  

Cottonwood Grove~

This grove of Cottonwoods is so pretty, they're big too, so tall the lens distorts them.  I'd only seen a lady pushing a baby stroller on my way south.  She'd parked off one of the gravel roads & I'd wondered what was making the marks on the limestone I'd seen.  On the way back, only two other people on bikes.  At one point a squirrel rain across in front of me, carring a baby in her mouth!  The first time I've seen that!

Ready to load~

With The Hood now closed for good, there's no longer a restaurant in town.  It was a draw to the many bicyclist who use the trail, but not enough to keep it open & so far no one is interested in purchasing the business...  

I'm peddling right along on this section of trail now with my speed staying over 10 mph.  Time to check out a more difficult section before the heat returns.

I stopped at the store on my way home.  The rain finally came just as I was leaving!  By the time I'd driven the few short blocks to home, it had quit...  We're several inches below normal for this time of year & another streak of possibly triple digit heat is due for next week...  

Seeking Shade ~

 We're now full on into the hot summer months.  I'm a weather watcher - especially this time of year when we'll be lucky to get maybe one or two days cool enough I want to ride.  The heat & humidity bring out the biting flies, sometimes attacking even through my spray of Deep Woods Off.

A Sea of Soy~

Mari Jo had ridden on Monday in the heat.  I didn't want to be a total whimp & today was to be the most decent before a  run of hot days going up into the triple digits.  With a temperature bordering 90, at least the humidity was tolerable.

Under the Walnuts~

The sun was so strong & it wasn't a mile, as the sweat started dripping down into my eyes, I realized I'd forgotten my visor.  The poor thing is so worn out after so many years, I'd taken it in the office to try to find a replacement on-line.  It's a Sunbelt & the most comfortable ever.   The problem is - no one has any...  I finally found one that looked very close, so I ordered it & we'll see when it comes. 

Cooking hot on the Trestle~

I could feel the sun burning right through the sunscreen on my arms.  I thought about wetting down my bandana & wearing it, but it was just too heavy.  The coolness wouldn't last long anyway.  Peddling past the park I stopped at the arch in Malvern, again happy to find shade!

Smokey under the arch~

I haven't ridden any further south for a long time.  With Butch gone, I can't do the point-to-point rides where he would pick me up at the far end.  It seems strange we're coming up on a year since he was laid-off at Agriland.  Little did we expect he'd be driving a semi OTR!  

Smokey & the Malvern Bike!

I decided to ride a little further & check out the trail going on south from Malvern to Imogene.  The first time I rode this section was in April of 2020.  I'd like to do it again, but it's a tough 14-mile section & the round-trip is one I'll save for a cooler day!  On the way, was the big bike art installation.  The original town sign is a recent addition.  I think Smokey looks so sporting!  

Cool Blues~

Again, in July the stinging nettles are so showy & I love seeing the last of the color for the season.  Once I'd reached the first bridge, I turned back & went to the park for my rest break.  There's usually a breeze.  The leaves of the cottonwoods were rustling as I rode under them.

My round-trip - 17.69 miles~

With all the trees that have gone down over the past few years, there's now more direct sun than ever on this stretch of trail.  It's the shade that draws riders in the summer months.  Returning to Happy Trails - I was more than happy to go inside & cool off!

Butch called when I returned home, he was just leaving St. Joseph, MO.  I told him he should come up & spend the night at home!  He agreed, since he'll be crossing over to the west again with plenty of time to make his destination.  He was passing the athletic field when a practice was letting out.  The kids made motions for him to blow his horn, he had to oblige!  An unexpected but incredibly wonderful evening home!  

July - Having Fun Yet?

 It's July & it's been hot!  From what the weatherman forecasts, it will continue to be hot & hotter still!  Today, we were told would be the last in the mid-80's with lower humidity.  A day I could actually enjoy a long ride.  In Silver City, I unloaded Smokey & said "Hi" to Mari Jo, before going out on the trail.

Shade!

The trail surface was rock hard, but with very little dust, since we did get a small rain storm a day ago.  I started out thinking I'd just ride to the Trestle.  With Butch coming home for a few days & the hot weather, it had been two-weeks since my last ride.  I'd managed four-rides in June, but I doubt July will be so accomodating...

Walnuts overhead~

The canopy of the trail is fully leafed out now & the Walnuts are my favorite!  It's a surreal feel to be engulfed in all the green.  Walnuts are falling to the trail surface too, but thankfully I don't think we'll see the bumper crop we had last season!

At the Trestle~

At the Trestle, I felt really good so decided to go ahead & ride to Malvern.  This decision commits me to the 17-mile ride, with four more miles to Malvern & then the eight-mile return.  The day was heating up, but a nice breeze helped.

Beautiful July blues~

The only blooming plant so far this month along the trail - the blue of the Nettles is vivid against all the greens!  Last year, this month I was riding the Trek Verve & struggling to enjoy the ride.  This year, Smokey has made riding so much more enjoyable!

Smokey under hwy 34

I stopped in the tunnel to enjoy the cool shade before continuing on the last couple miles.  I always look forward to reaching the concrete a mile out of town.  

Rest Break at the park~

From the park & can see across the way to Agriland.  Last year, this was the last month Butch worked there & the last time I was able to visit him.  I'm glad the covered picnic area is here at the park, but I miss those visist with my husband & the cold Coke too!

On the way back to Silver City~

Turning back north, I almost collided with a Squirrel!  He couldn't decide which way to go & by the time he did - I just missed him!  Too funny that they ususally wait until the last minute to avoid the bike!  I only saw one other rider on the trail either way.

Back at Silver City, I cooled off in Mari Jo's shop before heading home.  Our forecast into fall is for more hot, dry weather.  I do work outside mowing etc. until the humidity skyrockets, then the coolness of the house calls my name!