The last couple of days have been pleasant, considering the summer so far. In fact, it almost felt like fall this morning. Tomorrow may be another story, but for the moment, we are enjoying the weather here in Iowa.
Something is blocking the trail....
Unless the sun comes out mid-day. Cheryl's long run started fine, but we timed the start a little later than planned. As a result, the noon sun came out of hiding and began to wither everything. Including Cheryl. She made most of the 16 miles run without walking, but the heat did manage to spoil things. If only that cloud cover could have persisted...
Looks like the old cottonwood is fallen...
So much for Hurdles...
In addition to that, we discovered one of the large cottonwood trees had fallen across the path. Slightly larger than something we would be able to move ourselves. The only choice... Climb over!
Cheryl leaves me & my bike behind.
Cheryl may be "pretty good" at running. But climbing is not her Forte. If only you could have seen her on the rocks of Duluth or Grand Haven.
She will never go to the Olympics with that form.
Still, we managed to get over the thing. Even with my bike. And there is no picture of me because I had the camera. And I look like a Gorilla. ( at least Gorillas can climb.)
So we managed to sell 5 stockings this week. We just finished them a few moments ago and will probably mail them later today. I'm impressed we have sold anything in July. It makes me consider cleaning up the machines and getting them ready for full production. Then again, it still may be a little optimistic for that at this time.
Something to look forward to tomorrow.
Hope everyone has a great Weekend. We are planning on Muscatine tomorrow, despite the hot weather that is predicted. At least they have a water fountain to clean, I mean, cool Cheryl off.
The Weekend is almost over, and Cheryl has been doing a bit of running. The heat has forced us to become a bit more flexible for our runs. And by that, I mean: running shorter but more often. Basically, we have been running in the morning AND evening. Which is great for me.... I actually like the evenings better.
Mornings in Muscatine
Down to the Fountain!
That does not mean we skip out on the mornings. on weekends, we usually head to Muscatine for some water therapy. Cheryl runs somewhere between 7-10 miles ( depending on heat and fatigue) and then she plays in the fountain there.
Cheryl's New favorite part of running.
The perfect place for a cool-down.
Since she discovered the fountain, (And now that it is operational...) Cheryl has been looking forward to going there and frolicking in the water. It is also always fun to run along the river.
And photo opportunity....
Back to Kewash.
However, we have also been taking a break from Iowa City as of late. The Kewash Trail has been fun to visit after such a long hiatus. ( basically, we have taken all of this winter and spring off from there.) So now that summer is upon us... and the berries are out in full swing, we have a renewed interest.
Well, the authorities have decided to pave over that area and make it passable! They even pit little rubber nubs on the ends to keep people from slipping! How awesome is that! I'm now curious if any other improvements have been made as we get closer to Washington.
Chasing Raccons.
And evening rabbits sometimes.
It is also noteworthy that the evening runs provide a new experience from time to time. Raccoons come out in the twilight. And the heat is much more tolerable in the evening.
Chasing the Moon as it rises.
Chasing the Sun as it sets.
Sometimes you are treated to a wonderful sun set followed by a moon rising. Add in fireflies and the evening rabbits and it is just a peaceful time to be out there. I'm actually looking forward to going back out there tonight. Maybe a little earlier so we will have time to stop and pick blackberries (they are now out in full force now, Would hate to miss them!)
Enjoying the cool (-er) scenes of Iowa.
Hope everyone is having a pleasant weekend. And if you can enjoy the evenings as the sun sets, all the better!
With a slight break in the scoring season, Cheryl has been itching to squeeze in a long run before the heat of Summer overtakes our running schedule. Normally we have to set aside a weekend or holiday for such things. And Cheryl only wants to run in the cool of the morning. This forces us to run in Coralville. And only about three miles at a time.
Coralville Dam and bridge
Rain creates gentle waterfalls.
To be fair, the Iowa sun does tend to heat things up rapidly. I started off with my light jacket, only to remove it about three miles in. Thankfully there was a light breeze blowing cool morning air.
Cheryl prepares for 14 miles!
High Blue Prairie Grass.
As mentioned int he title, we decided to go back to Kewash. Sure, there is no river out there, but it has been a while since we visited that area and thought it would be a nice day to give it a go. Plus it is far closer than Muscatine and it has been several days since it has rained... Meaning the trail will probably be nice and dry.
Running into the sun
And down the path
This was the first time we experienced to new parking spot during the "non-winter" months. I'm not sure what the grasses are, but I would guess either wheat or rye. (I'm not a farmer, and even though I took various Botany classes, we never had to ID the all of the grasses.) But there was a lot of it around the parking area and trail entrance.
Chasing Rabbits.
Or racing.....and winning.
Cheryl ran at a fairly fast pace...for a training run. She was wondering why it seemed so difficult today...and then she looked at her Garmin. I was just happy we did not have a melt down on the first day back.
The rabbits were back. Same as every spring. Even around our apartment, there are several "new" furry faces hopping around the yard. I think these guys seem a little friendlier than last years. Several times the rabbits ran right past me. Cheryl almost stepped on one!
Cheryl smearing sunscreen on the Subie.
Final approach
We listened to music for the majority of the run. (Something we have not been able to do since Boston, I think.) And when it was finally over, Cheryl felt as if she had accomplished something good. Yeah! I'm glad we were able to come back to Kewash and have a good experience right out of the gate. Perhaps we will have to integrate this path back into the rotation, along with Davenport and Muscatine. We shall see.
Very windy day today. For this reason, Cheryl suggested we squeeze our long run in yesterday. Today we traveled to Coralville and braved the usual 7 miles on the Clear Creek trail next to the Mall.
Today! Colder...windier!
Find the Eagle.
Nothing unusual to report, other than there were lots of Hawks and even an Eagle! Eagles are not rare there, but are not usual. Normally, they are way up high and impossible to capture with a camera. But this one landed close enough for me to snap a pic of him.
Beautiful Canadian Geese making friends.
While taking his pic and trying to get closer, the Hawks were not very happy with his presents. It's a funny hierarchy of avian social status. The Hawks hate the Eagles and bother them. The Crows hate the Hawks and bother them. The Canadian Geese hate everyone. Blue and White Herons are usually loners, but willing to tolerate most other birds. Possibly for some ulterior reason.
This looks suspicious.
But the poor Eagle, with their stately appearance and powerful beaks and talons are harassed constantly by Gulls, Crows, and now Hawks. About the only ones who seem to show them mutual respect are the Turkey Vultures whenever they are rarely seen together. ( Vultures head south for the winter, Eagles arrive in mid fall.)
Better picture...with a Hawk "friend"
Highlighted. Smart Phone only zooms so much.
I was so thrilled to finally have an opportunity to take this Eagles pic because I was not in a car traveling down a narrow rural road. On our way home, there were about 5 Eagles out in the middle of a green field on what looked like a deer carcass. If only I had a place to pull off, it would have made a better photo. Ah well, I have to take what I can get when the opportunity allows.
Needle Threader Issue.
Small Medal part catching the threader
Needle nose pliers to the rescue!
In other news, We sewed up a single stocking today; And I finally had enough time to fix the needle threader on my embroidery Machine. After taking it apart several times, I finally figured out that a piece of medal was catching on the spring. It looks like the piece is a "just fit" and must have been dirty or damaged during our busy stocking season. I quick bend with a needle nose pliers and everything is back to new!
Cheryl is currently working on Government stuff and requires my computer....because it is faster and hopefully untraceable by the IRS. ( Just kidding....They already have cameras and listening devices in our apartment...I just KNOW IT!) So I better log off and figure out the red tape that is our government "easy" form. Thanks for checking in and enjoy the windy Iowa weather.
We decided to try the Lake Mcbride Trail near Solon Iowa today. We have done this before with "mixed" results. The first time it was covered in snow and mud. The second time was "perfect"! And this time....well. Let us begin from there.
Looks kind of "deep"
Ethan attempts the crossing
The humidity is still up a bit, and the rain had stopped sometime last night. The clouds promised protection from the sun while not offering any signs of precipitation. Looked like it would be a good day for a run through nature.
Ethan finds a "deep" spot.
Barely a 1/4 mile down the trail....we hit a rut. The small creek next to part of the trail had crested its banks and started to cross over the trail. Not a "huge" problem for me, because I have a bike...right? NOT so fast!
Notice the rock on the side.
Notice the rock in the "deep" part.
The first time across, I was able to navigate the waters while only getting most of my shoes wet. Cheryl decided to take off her socks and shoes to cross, figuring this would be as bad as it would get. We were wrong!
On the return, I "found" a washed out hole in the middle of the water....with my front bike tire. Imagine a bicyclist flying over the handle bars and "sliding into home plate". Got it? Now imagine a "chubby" cyclist flying over the handle bars sliding into home plate in the most ungracious way possible.
I dust myself off. Cheryl puts on her shoes. We continue. Until...
The current looks stronger up ahead
And deeper! With LEACHES!
The next area around the bend is also flooded! I "cautiously" attempt to cross this one and notice a cute little black worm swimming in the water....wait! Worms don't "swim!" We were introduced to the local swamp leeches! I believe Bill Murray can take it from here:
The Leeches were a deal breaker for Cheryl. We attempted to run around the paved track, but discovered that the effects of yesterday's rain was still having an impact everywhere. We packed up and headed to our next event. Wilson's Orchard.
Cheryl is not amused!
Time for some Apple Cider!
We were forced to wait a bit since they opened at 10 AM. But Cheryl quickly spent that time finding large acorns! I'm not sure what type of Oak trees these were, but they all had different acorns to show off. I tried to capture the differences between the 3-5 different types of trees. My tree identification is a little rusty since my MSU days. I'm guessing they were members of the Red Oak family...but that is just a guess.
VERY large acorns!
Compare the 5 species and sizes!
After finding about a dozen or more of them, we headed into the apple store to buy apples, drink cider, and eat some fresh baked apple turnovers. Nothing trumps freshness! And these guys were still warm and flaky! Yummo!
MMM! Warm and flaky Apple Turnover!
A little taste of .... Heaven!
So we were a little bummed that the event we had been planning on for a week ended up being kind of a dud. But the Fall is just beginning and some of the apple species are not even out yet. There is still time to get it right...if we are feeling adventurous again. We shall see.
Wet feet, dirty clothes!
Time to "scrub up" Ethan
As for now, I washed up and changed my clothes and hopefully the damage will remain superficial to elbows, knees and wrists. Luckily, I was wearing my helmet...even thought I did NOT fall on my head. ( Figures! The only part of my body that was completely protected never was at risk to begin with.)
The last couple of days have been pleasant, considering the summer so far. In fact, it almost felt like fall this morning. Tomorrow may be another story, but for the moment, we are enjoying the weather here in Iowa. 
