The mystery goose from my Thursday ride. What honker is this? It was with Canada geese (below). (After I posted an image to Facebook, Dr. Bryan Cross from MMU commented, and I think he found the goose.
How has your summer been? I managed to miss three soggy weeks with a well-timed trip to the UK, and since I’ve been back in Iowa this July, it’s sometimes been hot and muggy but often been gorgeous.
Buggy, because it’s Iowa in the summer, so I’ve dipped myself in Bug Soother and had that familiar summer smell, a combination of sweat, old man, sunscreen and lemon pie.
My most recent bicycle rides, especially Wednesday’s, featured some pretty sights. On that day, because I was going to campus and using my good camera bag as a man purse, I decided my secondary goal was to find a Monarch Butterfly and take its picture.
Along Cedar Lake, the quest ends well.
As you see, the quest ended well.
Thursday’s ride, on the hybrid due to where I was going, was a slightly more ill-fated trip down the Sac and Fox Trail. I rode to the Prairie Park Fishery and entered the south end of the trail. As I rode on the Sac and Fox, it was unusually sandy in spots, which was treacherous because the sand was the same color as the harder surface and not easy to see. I was thinking that where the trail bends at the junction of the creek and the river, it might be muddy and impassible.
It wasn’t. But it did get very muddy later one. Overall, the trail was often either sandy and treacherous, or rocky and treacherous. It occurred to me to turn back and not ride it, but by then I was far enough in it felt like I should just finish.
Sac and Fox Trail, more treacherous than a muddy UK trail.
At the north end of the trail, there was a barrier, pushed aside, that said “trail closed for repairs.” I believe it, but if there had been such a sign at the south end, someone removed it before I got there.
Still, I found the rides this week to be pleasant, as Iowa is showing its pretty side. The weather will warm up and it will show its hot side, in time for RAGBRAI. Stay hydrated, biking friends!
Here are lots and lots of pretty pictures from the rides:
New park at Lowe Park looks almost done.
On Boyson Trail near Hanna Park.
Cedar Lake looking pretty.
Egret at Cedar Lake.
On the way to Otis Road, on stub of trail near future Sleeping Giant bridge.
Otis Road.
Bunny at Prairie Park Fishery.
Wildflower meadow near start of Sac and Fox.
North end of Sac and Fox. Now you tell me.
Bee near Milkweed, Cedar Lake.
Blackbird claims Cedar River Trail.
Bee on flower in meadow north of 42nd Street on trial.
More from the meadow.
Milkweed in bloom.
I guess I spent a few minutes there.
Coneflower.
Had not seen a Monarch before I got to Cedar Lake, but I saw this pretty butterfly.
Taking off.
Looking at Cedar Lake from trail bridge at north end, duck makes wake.
Milkweed in bloom a long Cedar Lake.
I find my Monarch at the lake. And below.
Bee approaches Milkweed.
Geese near Cedar Lake act like they own the place.
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