Wabash Trace Nature Trail part 2

       This is the 3rd time I have tried to finish this entry and I lost it all times.  First I tried to do it all one one entry, too long, then I did part 2 and lost it twice.  Now I will put in the pictures, save and then write the entry.  Will this be the charm?

        The last 20 miles of the trip were very hard on me.  For one thing 15 miles was uphill.  I was at the end of my endurance.  Mentally and physically I was tired and hot.  The joy was rapidly leaving me.  The last 5 miles was downhill or level which was better.  For the last 3 miles I kept telling myself,  soon Julie you will be in Shenandoah and can have a cold homemade beer at the Depot Deli.   Just a little farther, you can do it, you can do it, you can do it,  I just kept repeating that to myself.  You all know how I love a cold beer after a long bike ride.  In the distance I could see the depot.  I would have been drooling if I had any moisture in my mouth anymore.  We ride up and WHAT!   CLOSED, ABANDONED, EMPTY, SOB.......No cold beer!  No air conditioning!  No seats to sit on and rest.  I almost started to cry.  HOW COULD THIS BE!  WHAT A CRUEL JOKE THIS WAS.

               

   But I didn't.  I wearily climbed back on my bike and started pedaling to the outskirts of town to find a motel.  We passed through the downtown and even though I was in zombie mode by this time I did notice how pretty it was.  In my zombie mode though I just kept thinking......must find motel, must take shower, must rest........

       Wearily we rode on grimly looking for highway 59 and a motel.  Out of the corner of my eye what was that..... could it be.....Yes it was.  The Deli Depot.   The real one, open, bright, inviting.  IT WAS REAL!  Happy happy joy joy.

    Rick and I decided we would go clean up our act first.  Hours and miles of trail has left us dirty, sweaty and smelling not the best.  Burnt to a crisp we would frighten most folks in this condition and besides, now that we knew where it was we could come back.  We took off in better spirits this time to find a room.  Up the road was a Kum and Go.  Something cold to drink.  Looking over the vast selection the only thing that really looked good was a large bottle of water so Rick and I both bought one.  Oh my, it was the best water I had ever tasted.  Nector of the Gods!  We both sat in the parking lot guzzling it down like we hadn't drank in years.  We both at the same time got terrible severe stomach cramps from drinking the cold water too fast.  Rick almost lost his on the parking lot.  That was a surprise.

   Traveling by bike is strange.  It is strange checking into a motel by bike.  Riding up and parking your bikes outside while you go to check in.  Sweaty dirty travelers looking for room for 2 people, plus 2 bikes!  We stayed at the Country Inn.  Rooms were $50.00.  It was OK to bring our bikes in the room.  We had made it.  I collapsed on the bed in total exhaustion.  I would never move again.  Except I wanted a shower,  I wanted a beer.

   Clean and thirsty we once again got on our bikes to go back for that much anticipated cold beer.  The Depot Deli is really neat.  Old depot with hundreds of pictures on the wooden walls,  Antiques all over.  I loved it.  The only homemade beer they had the time was Bock which wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I managed to down a couple as did Rick.  Of course it wasn't as good the Ricks bock, but pretty good.  I had a small steak and sweet potato chips with a side salad.  They had a low fat toasted sesame dressing that was wonderful.  Rick had catfish which also tasted great.  Then back on the bikes for the last ride of the day to the motel.  Finally we could rest.

   The next day decisions had to be made.  I had had chest pain the night before and my little embarrassing problem was also a concern.  Part of me wanted to finish the ride.  Part of me just wanted to die.  I slept terrible as did Rick.  You can tell how restless we were by the bed.  The last thing I wanted was to get back on the stupid bike.  Lets stay another day and rest I begged.  In the end we packed up and decided to return home.

             

   We went to McDonalds where neither of us had eaten in years.  Rick wanted coffee.  After breakfast we went to Hy Vee and got 10 pounds of ice and a gallon of water and filled all our bottles.  Plenty of people stared and more then a few probably thought we were nuts,   I did. 

      We passed a van for rent that  I though would be just great to throw the bikes in and drive to the car.  Rick said no so I then spent the next 4 miles feeling so sorry for myself that he didn't love me enough to end my misery.  How could he let me suffer this way, even though it had all been my idea. 

        We have been married for almost 33 years so Rick was used to my moaning and groaning and quietly rode by my side giving me encouragement.   He also took his gel pad off his bike and rigged it to my seat.  That helped the situation right away.  I was really suffering and always get pretty b----y when I am suffering.

   I had had so little rest I felt like I had no reserve left.  My legs felt like lead and they took forever to loosen up but finally they did.  My Tylenol kicked in, the weather was great and I love being outdoors in the country.  Slowly but happily my mood improved and I started to enjoy the ride again.  We saw sights I hadn't noticed coming in the other way.

     

     And no matter how bad the hills seemed they weren't as steep as the real roads. 

                           

    The air smells so good, clean and fresh.  It was overcast at times and cool.  Really a perfect day to ride.

             

    I had to do quite a bit of walking at first.  I was just too tired to walk up the hills and I was getting charlie horses in my thighs.  The only way to get rid of them is to walk.  That was OK though as I like to walk and it was a nice day.  Rick rode along side and told me to take as long as I wanted and to do what ever it took to finish the ride.  We were enjoying ourselves again.  And walking I notice more things.  Since we were the only ones on the trail and this part isn't traveled as much mushrooms grow right in the middle of it. 

         

     The hills are there but as I got limbered up I rode again and they didn't seem as bad.

         

   I personally love the look of farm country.

       

         

           

    The wood on the bridges is weathered and bleached.  Growing up though the cracks are plants.  Made a nice contrast.  It would have looked better if I had gotten down and taken the shot instead of shooting from above, but I think at this point if I had laid down for the shot I would still be there today.

 

              

         

    This plant is so cool,  Hot pink stem,  the berries start off green and turn eggplant purple further up.  They hang from large plants and are quite striking.  I have never seen them before.

          

     Also we ran across these wild plums.  At least I was 99 % certain they were plums.  The 1% uncertainty kept me from trying one.

            

        There were lots of butterflys, grasshoppers, turkey, quail, grouse, deer, hawks and caterpillars on the trail.  A couple of dogs which worried me, but they were friendly.

             

  For at least 20 miles I was tortured by some type of fly, maybe a deer fly, that the second I stopped it would land and bite.  It really hurt and it drew blood!  They hadn't been there the day before so the cooler weather must have drawn them out.  It forced me to up the pace more then was comfortable andalot of times I was riding and swatting with my bandana trying to keep it off my head.  Almost crashed a couple of times and must have looked a sight.  All the cows stopped what they were doing to stare.  I braved getting bit once again for a shot.

          

   What is the purpose of the green stripes I wonder,  decoration?

         

           

    This is near the end, yes I said the END of the trail.  Such pretty horses and their colts.  The colts watched us the entire time, but the mares could care less.  Rick gave me his last energy drink.  I didn't think I felt a thing but bombing along a short time later I looked back and no Rick.  He said he stopped to empty his shoe and looked up and I was just pedaling up the hill and disappearing at a rapid pace.  He had to hop and and really pedal to catch me, LOL.   Good stuff and I highly recommend it for rides like this.

       

        

                                

    We had some hazards on the trail.  The sad part was it was downhill and we hated to lose our speed.  We were finally making some time and going about 15 mph.  Would have hated hitting the tree at that speed.  We also were starting to see evidence of more people on the trail.  Unfortunately mostly by the garbage they left behind. 

     What is wrong with people that they can't pick up their trash and throw it all over.  We carried trash sacks with handles so we could hang them from our bars.  The only evidence we left behind that we were ever there was our tracks, as it should be.  Shame on all the riders and walkers who trash the place.

         

       With around 5 miles or less left we took one more rest stop.  For the first time Rick is showing his fatigue.   He is so much better at hiding it then me.  We are seeing more riders.  We are the only ones without helmets.  I still don't see how it was necessary and how a styrofoam helmet would protect you, but to each his own.  Most were friendly.  It is all downhill or level from here.

      

        

   We got into Council Bluffs around 5:15.  We had left Shenandoah around 10.  7 hours on the trail to go 44.4 miles.  Of course we rested,  I walked some.  I took pictures.  Our car looked heavenly.  It took us another 35 minutes to unpack the bikes and get them on the rack so we could leave.  The ride was done.  Now that it was over I was glad I finished the ride back, sorry I didn't ride to the end and really glad the leather car seat was so soft.  We drove back to Sioux City,  Stopped and ate and had a beer and drove home to rest.

   The next day.  My thigh muscles are very sore from the charlies and I have bruises all over my legs.  Rick is stiff and sore also.  But all in all not bad.  It already seems like a good memory.  I am even talkng about how it will be in the fall, so pretty and if I practice more on the hills it should be easy.  Who knows. 

Wabash Trace Nature Trail Bike Ride 8 24 06

  Right off the bat I had better fess up to not making the entire 126 miles.  Minor medical problem I hadn't anticipated made cutting it short approbriate.  Can we say Preparation H, nudge nudge say no more.  I did however manage 90+ miles.  We made it to Shenandoah.  Was it easy?  The first 27 miles wasn't bad, the last 5 miles was OK. 13 miles was all uphill and after awhile I was so worn out.  So anyway.  Come along and I'll show you the way.

               

   We finally got everything loaded and ready.  We didn't know about taking all that water but it turned out we needed most of it.  It was hot and there is just hardly any place to buy more.  We were on the trail by 9:45 give or take.  We were slightly nervous about leaving our car after we arrived and found the porta pots had either been vandilized or blow over.  Fortunately no problems.

                      

   Since this is a converted railroad track it is straight most of the way to start and no steep hills.  There are grades though and they fool you.  They just gradually go up and up and up.  The great thing about the torture of the hills though is the bliss of the long slopes down,  Wheeeee....

                    

  We saw this house on the outskirts of Council Bluffs, Ia.  It doesn't look haunted to me.  This is actually a daycare!

                 

   We saw this pretty horse on the way and I had to get a picture.  You can also ride next to the trail on horseback.

              

  The grades are gradual so it wasn't too difficult at first.  Only when exhaustion sets in do they seem to get really bad.

           

   Fortunately the path is canopied with trees along most of it.  It cuts down on the view, bad, but it helps with the heat, good.

          

Some time was spent initially adjusting the load so the ride was smoother.  Rick had about 30 pounds of water and supplies on the bike.  Heavy on a bike.

            

   Parts of the path reminded us that fall was right around the corner.

                   

   And at first there were plenty of benches to rest your tired legs.

          

   Not your typical biking clothes or your typical biker we saw on trails,  I was by far the heaviest and oldest.  Gee, I wonder if I broke any records?  Still smiling and completely enjoying myself.

        

   At this stop we decided to try the 5 hour energy drinks we had brought.  We were both chicken to drink the whole thing the first time so we split it.  The taste wasn't near as bad as we had been made to believe.   Also we were slightly worried it might throw Rick into A-fib.  It didn't and we did get a boost which was nice.  At least 2 1/2 hours worth.  We also had a power bar.  The view was pleasant and the wildflowers pretty.

        

          

          

   The sweet scent of flowers though soon gave way to manure, lots of it.

            

         Not a blade of grass or tree escaped the cattle on this feedlot.

                

 You can buy a t-shirt with a drawing of this bridge on it to remember the trip by.  I might get me one.  This bridge is pretty cool.  The wooden timbers are really old.

                     

  There were some neat rural things to see on the way.

                         

  But some of the farm houses sure have changed since I was a girl.  Raising those beautiful dogs must pay well.  Or farming allows them to have all those beautiful dogs!

         

     One thing kind of unnerving was above your head in the canopy were a ton of web worms.  They completely strip the branch they are on.

           

   The walnuts look like they survived though.

              

    Rick is smiling most of the time.  He is always happiest when traveling.

        

  I think it said there are a total of 21 bridges on the trails.  Most are wooden and fun to cross.  Watch out for nails though.  Across was what the cars use, not as much fun.

              

                         

   The first part of our trip was 9.6 miles to get into Mineola.  People do this ride on Thursday's for tacos and margarita's at the steak housein town.  So far it has been an easy ride and we are feeling good.  The gentle slopes didn't even faze us.  We both had a good laugh over the name of this porta pot. Turd Toters.   Little did either of us know it was the last one on the trail!

                

   The elk horns were why I took the picture but check out that massive tree in the back!

                       

   From here it is on to Silver City. 4.3 miles. 

               

   What do you think of this bird house.  Even the dead trees are important.

                                

   Since we were on a gravel road we spent alot of time emptying out our shoes.  Doesn't he look cute!

            

         In Silver City is the original jail from 1911.  I sure would have hated to be stuck in that tiny place for long!

           

           A little door opened behind the bars, I assume to shoot anyone trying to break the crook out.

                       

         

        The posse could tie their horses up right outside.  And use the great bathroom indoors?

         

   From Silver City we traveled to Malvern which was 8 miles and then to  Imogene which was a long stretch, 13.6.  After Malvern most if not all of the benches disappeared and finding a Turd Toter was just a dream.  No cold water, hot hot hot and by this time it was getting onto 4 oclock. 

            They had a nice park in Malvern and a bathroom.  However it was outhouse type bathroom.  Now I spent summers on farms as a girl without indoor plumbing so that didn't bother me but there was a big spider web in the hole.  I went out and looked for a stick to clean it out and the park was so clean there wasn't a stick to be found.

            

   The park was pretty though and we had some trail mix and rested. 

            

    I took less pictures and buckled down to try and make some time.  Oh,and no more benches!  That was really bad because I would have loved to sit, and not on the trail, too dirty.  Most of this stretch was uphill, gradual, but uphill still.  I would come around a corner expecting to see it start going down only to see it still went up.  Weird though as it was so gradual you couldn't always see it, just feel it in your legs.

                   

                        We still had some pretty sights though.

        

            

          

      My legs are bruised all over.  Why?  Grasshoppers.  You would be flying downhill enjoying the reprieve and whack, right on the leg or face, or arm, a grasshopper would smash into you.  I am such a fragile flower, Yah right, I bruised from it.

             

   We saw a few places where the train had derailed and they just left the cars in the water.  Would have been hard to get them up.

           

       Couldn't you just picture Huck Finn fishing on this bank!

          

   The trail stretched on for miles and by this time I was beginning to think it had no end.  Who's stupid idea was this!  Oops, mine again.

                  

    Miles and miles of trails and miles and miles of cornfields.

                 

                

      Happily, we finally came across this bridge which had seats on it so we could sit and empty our shoes and rest.  Simple comforts.  Looking over the river I saw where another train had derailed.  Hummmm how safe were these bridges we were driving over?

                      

               

         It was a pretty wild river though.

             

            The next bridge was my favorite.  Not only was it really neat and looked great in pictures, it was the last bridge before Shenandoah.  You can see it in the distance.  I almost cried.

                   

                   

           Looking at my reflection while I resting on the bridge I wondered what had I been thinking when I suggested this trip.  Perhaps this.  The quiet view from a bridge.  Bone tired but peaceful.  Almost there. 

                     

            This bridge was my gateway from suffering. 

                           

       So I climbed back on my trusty bike and prepared to ride into town.  The last few miles seemed as long as the whole trip.  I was completely done in.