In Which I Enjoy Spring, Phase 1

March 27--Bike at Mount Cavalry Cemetery on a sunny spring Sunday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1--No fooling, some bicycle parked at MMU. Mine is the far one. Spring, and a few more bicycles are starting to appear.

To me, many Midwestern seasons are broken into parts. And maybe it’s just the way my brain works, but I think of most of them in thirds. Take my recent bicycle rides, for example.

I’ve not reported them since March 19, which means this post covers almost a fortnight. And it’s definitely a fortnight of spring, phase 1. Here is how I think of spring in Iowa:

• Phase 1—Some early signs of change. A bit of greening in brown areas of grass. The first flowers, glory of the snow and crocus. Stuff that falls from the sky may be wet or white or transitioning in between. Nights are often or usually below freezing, days vary a lot, with lots of clouds, but some sunshine and some days that give the hope of better weather ahead—but the world is still largely brown, the trees, while there are early signs of change (blooming maples), are largely barren.

• Phase 2—Color suddenly bursts into the scene. Daffodils and early tulips and magnolia appear. Smaller trees and early trees start to tentatively show leave. Buds on red buds swell pink and pretty. Snow is not rare, but more rain falls from the sky. You think of planting outside, but wisely decide to wait a bit. Usually, Easter.

• Phase 3—Iowa is a verdant, green place. Trees are coming to life. The smell of lilac and crab apple (and, unfortunately, pear). Late daffodils and tulips galore. Peonies are springing up and the frilly fancy ones are budding and blooming. The later native flower plants—milkweed—can finally be seen. You know which trees and vines “made it,” and which fell to winter. The last frost, the first day in the 80s, you think of sun screen, bugs are becoming an issue.

Anyway, this stretch of rides is in Phase 1. I’ve seen it all, chilly drizzle, wet snows, beautiful sunshine, much variety.

On one Sunday in early spring, I had to ride to campus for some newspaper duties, and I took an indirect route, riding along the slowly growing Cemar Trail in Cedar Rapids, going under First Avenue, and I ended up looping around Mount Calvary Cemetery. There is something weirdly refreshing about a slow circuit of a cemetery on an early, sunny spring day—a reminder of life and eternity at the same time.

March 27--I arrive on campus after cemetery detour. Sunny Sunday.

Seen in the cemetery.

Statue of Saint Francis in cemetery.

I also chanced a rain in a wet morning snow—it was snowing very lightly, it was too warm to stick or freeze on the streets, and the afternoon was supposed to be drier. It was a gamble that worked out.

March 24--Riding on a snowy morning.

March 24--Riding to work on a snowy morning, but it's melting as soon as it falls.

March 24--Road closed? Turns out I can use sidewalk to first cross street, so the project on C Avenue didn't have as big of an impact as I thought.

March 24--I arrive at work a little damp, but not wet. At loading dock--going to park inside in the hall today. Bikers get the best parking places.

March 25--A grey, cool day, but dry. A sparrow rests on my bike as it's parked in a bike rack near the library.

March 26--Sunny Saturday afternoon ride on Boyson Trails. By creek on the trail to Mendards, sun makes old grass from fall shine.

March 26--Bike on bridge.

March 26--Deer stare at me as I photograph them from trial.

March 26--Late afternoon shadows on trail.

March 26--Cardinal sings spring song beside trail.

Most recently, on April Fools Day, I rode a bit extra, going down to Cedar Lake before heading home and taking my usually 7-mile commute and making the total for the day just over 10 miles. After arriving at home, my wife and I drove to a park. It was a cool afternoon, but somewhat milky-sunny, and we enjoyed a stroll around Lowe Park—there, we met artist Drew Evans.

Evans, a Marion bicycle mechanic and welder, also does art made of metal objects, often bicycle parts. One of his sculptures was a woman formed from bicycle chains.

April 1--Bike chain woman.

April 1--Artist Dale Evans with one of his sculptures. "It needs cleaning," he said.

It was a pleasant sight. He’s supposed to have a show later this year at the art gallery at Lowe Park, and I’ll watch for it. Maybe I’ll ride my bike there.

By then, it should be phase 3 of spring and a lot warmer. Still, even if I need gloves and a winter coat, even spring, phase 1, is a nice change of pace from winter bike riding.

Total for March: 157 miles. Year to date: 430.65 (10 of the miles in April).

April 1--Ride home via trail by Cedar Lake. Milky sunshine ends blue sky day.

April 1--C Avenue Pond on morning ride.