Where's Spring?

The Redfield Dam at Dawn

REDFIELD, IOWA - Saturday I had hoped to ride the RRVT from Adel to Redfield to enjoy a weekly event that draws a big crowd from around the area, the Saturday morning all-you-can-eat breakfast at the Redfield American Legion.  The fine folks in Redfield recently completed construction on a newer, more spacious and modern Legion Building where they hold the weekly breakfast which draws quite a few cyclists, paddlers and others from around the area for the great food.  Well, it was in the upper 20's when I departed so I opted to stay on four wheels today.
     Various community groups in Redfield volunteer to "work" the breakfast each week, this particular weekend it was the Redfield Historical Society.  As always the food was great and filling.  Once it warms up a little more I look forward to cycling to Redfield to enjoy the event again.

Sunrise on the RRVT over Waukee

     I took time to stop by the Redfield Dam to see how water levels were looking. Downstream it looks as if the river was up compared to the last time I was here, I'm hoping for better flows than what we saw last year as a result of the drought.  Paddling from Redfield downstream toward Kuehn Nature Area is one of my favorite spots on the Raccoon River.
     Snow is in the forecast for this weekend, but it looks like we might start to see some recovery in temperatures by next weekend.  Still managed to cycle the stretch of trail between Dallas Center and Minburn this Saturday, however.  Even though it was cold, it was not so bitter that one could not enjoy hitting the trail this weekend.  I encountered a couple of other "hardy" souls out enjoying the trail along with me.

Hints of Spring

Snowmelt filling the marsh between DC and Waukee.

DALLAS CENTER, IOWA - Finally, temperatures this week managed to get into the upper fifties on Friday.  With the switch to daylight savings time a week ago, it should make it easier to hit the trail and start getting some more time in the saddle!  On a quick ride between Waukee and Dallas Center on the RRVT today, I encountered about a dozen other cyclists out enjoying the balmy weather.  Looks like the weather is going to turn crummy later in the weekend, so today was probably the "choice" day to get out and enjoy the trail.
     Spring is getting closer.  Saw the first red wing blackbirds of the season along the trail today, and also heard a meadowlark.  Typically when those avian species start to show up, it's a pretty good sign that warmer weather is just around the bend and here to stay.  Also saw a few ducks, several hawks, and a lot of robins which is also a good sign.
     Lots of rides and activities are starting to show up on the bikeiowa.com calendar for the upcoming riding season.  Looking forward to the many opportunities to enjoy some organized rides around central Iowa this coming year!

Wolf Creek Snow Trek

Approaching the trestle just east of Beaman on the Comet Trail.

BEAMAN, IOWA - Central Iowa experienced what was, perhaps, the largest winter storm so far this season as March "roared in like a lion" and dumped several inches of snow from the southwest to the northeast portion of the state.  The bullseye of this particular storm seemed to be in a swath near Marshalltown northeast through Grundy and Tama Counties toward the Waterloo area with several reports of a foot or more of snow from communities in this area.
     It just so happened that we were planning a trip to the area to visit family the weekend after the storm so it provided the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the freshly fallen snow and trek a stretch of the Comet Trail from Beaman toward Gladbrook on the snowshoes.

The Beaman Lions' Club sponsors this 1/4 mile trail section.

     Temperatures were in the upper 20's as I departed from the shadow of Mid-Iowa Cooperative's "prairie silos" (cement grain elevators) and headed eastbound on the former CNW right-of-way.  As I was lacing up the snowshoes, a trio of snowmobiles appeared and were easily overheard contemplating taking the trail which, at least on this section, is prohibited according to the posted signage and makeshift barricade that had been put up across the trail.  A previous snowmobiler had obviously disregarded the signage as seen in the photo above.  The group then determined that the "official" snowmobile route out of Beaman (one that has been well laid out and organized by a group of snowmobile enthusiasts from Central Iowa) took a different path and they headed back west.  The Comet Trail from Beaman west to Conrad is open to snowmobiles, and based on the tracks is being well utilized this winter - which is great to see.

Looking west from the K Avenue Trail head

     I am used to seeing the Comet Trail from the saddle of a bicycle in more temperate conditions - spring, summer, and fall - so this particular journey was a different experience.  Having no foliage on the trees permitted you to see some things that you normally don't during those seasons, such as a glimpse of Wolf Creek through the heavily wooded area on the southeast side of Beaman.  The snowmobile tracks on this stretch actually made trekking through the snow fairly easy; once I reached the trailhead a quarter mile down the trail the snowmobile tracks were gone and now it was a good opportunity to see if the snow shoes would hold up in deep, powdery snow.

Snowshoe Tracks

     As I progressed east, there were more open areas where the snow had drifted to at least three or four feet deep.  Trudging through the snow was still a workout, even with snow shoes on.  The shoes did, however, prevent me from sinking as deep as I would have without them, and on the drifts that had hardened just a bit I was able to sail right over the top of them without getting buried much at all.  I made it just about to Wolf Creek Park before I had to turn around in order to get back in time for us to wrap up our visit. The return trek was obviously a little easier since I had already blazed a trail.  The snowshoes worked flawlessly and in relatively short order I was back at my starting point.
     After a long week of being inside, mostly in front of a computer, it was a tremendous feeling having the chance to get outside and enjoy some fresh air, get some good exercise, and enjoy the serenity of the winter time along the corridor of the former "Toledo and Northwestern Railroad" that laid rails here back in 1880.  It was the dose of Vitamin "N" that I really needed this weekend!

Snowshoeing near Minburn

     MINBURN, IOWA - First, I must admit I've taken a hiatus from blogging for several months.  Once RAGBRAI came and went, it seems like things at home and work continued to get busier and busier as we moved through harvest time right through winter and now into spring.  I hope to be back "on the air" now sharing some of my experiences enjoying the many great outdoor adventures I enjoy right in our own backyards here in Central Iowa.
     Admittedly, I'm a fair weather cyclist - meaning if the trails are snow and ice covered - I usually stay off the bicycle as I'd rather not ride on the road.  That being said, we've had a fairly mild winter and that has offered several opportunities to enjoy the local trails during the past couple of months.  With that in mind, I had been looking for an activity that I could still enjoy on the trail in snow and ice to help keep me physically active over the winter.  I am a horrible skier, but have been intrigued with snowshoeing after learning how easy, relatively inexpensive, and fun this can be.
     So, I made the plunge and picked up a pair of snowshoes and trekking poles over the Christmas break.  I've only had a couple opportunities to use them, with one of them being this past weekend at the Voas Nature Area west of Minburn.  The Voas nature area has quite a diverse habitat including wetlands, prairie, woodlands and has several excellent trails that meander through this rather spacious park.
     Last Sunday was balmy (temperatures around freezing) with no wind and plenty of sun.  It was a great day to get out and snowshoe around the trails. Plenty of wildlife was seen around the park this pleasant afternoon.
     I've found that snowshoeing works best on packed snow, but it's also kind of fun to blaze new trails and get a more intense workout on fresh, powdery snow.  The most recent storm we had earlier this week was primarily wet and heavy, and assuming we get some cold evenings it should harden the snow pack somewhat and make it perfect to get out and enjoy the trails.  I'm actually hoping the snow will stick around a bit to enjoy this activity some more!

Dog Days of June

A volcano erupting near Grimes?  No, just another sweltering sun rise on the RRVT!

GRIMES, IOWA - Des Moines had a high temperature of 101 degrees yesterday, the first time it's hit the century mark in some time.  Rainfall is well below normal, and much of Iowa is abnormally dry and considered to be in a minor drought.  This has put a damper on many streams and rivers that are popular for paddling, with water levels so low that dragging the bottom of the kayak or canoe is almost certain.  Unfortunately, the forecast does not seem to offer much relief in the next several days with high temperatures in the upper 90's and very minor chances for rain.
     This is all rather concerning for the crop conditions out there, given we are now moving into pollination time for corn (albeit a little bit earlier with the early heat unit accumulation this spring and summer), and the soybeans seem to be much shorter than normal and needing rain soon.  This will be three years in a row with conditions less than optimal for the crops around here.  Will be interesting to see how the rest of the summer shakes out.
     Cycling in the early morning or late evening seems to be the most comfortable time to be out on the trails right now.  The next leg of the RRVT "north" loop is scheduled to open by the end of this week; I hope to check it out and post some photos of this latest leg of the trail within a couple of weeks.  Looking forward to exploring a new section of the trail between Minburn and Perry soon.

June on the Trails

An ominous, yet gorgeous June sunrise on the RRVT near Waukee. 

WAUKEE, IOWA - As the final days of June come to a close, reflecting back on the month it has probably been one of the most enjoyable periods of time I've had exploring various trail systems in the state.  From the regular visits to the nearby Raccoon River Valley Trail, to the trails in Hardin and Grundy Counties, to the Quad Cities to visit the trail systems over there, it's been quite enjoyable.
     You really can take Iowa's trail network for granted until you visit some other states where such systems are not as well developed.  I recently returned from a trip to West Lafayette, Indiana for a week long agribusiness conference.  I brought along a bicycle, hoping there would be some opportunities for some cycling early in the morning or late in the evenings.  While I was able to get a little riding in, the trail system over there was much to be desired.
     After researching local trails, I came across the Wabash Heritage Trail which ran quite close to the area I was staying in.  It looked like it was a pretty extensive trail running from West Lafayette up to nearby Prophetstown State Park, so I was looking forward to checking it out.  Although segments of the trail were intact, it was quite disappointing to discover that the asphalt surface abruptly stopped in several spots giving way to just a dirt path, and then changing back to asphalt again further down the trail.  Eventually the trail crossed under some bridges in Lafayette and again ended at a gully with a sign that cycles were not permitted beyond that point.  Signage (other than the "no cycles permitted" sign above) was much to be desired along the trail, and many of the segments that veered off the trail to neighborhoods seemed to end up on heavily traveled roads that didn't appear to be too bicycle friendly.
     When visiting with a local about how popular bicycling was in the Lafayette and Purdue University area, I was told that "it's really not a big activity out here".  Obviously, that seemed to be the case.  It really made me appreciate the recreational assets we enjoy right here in Iowa.

With the Trail Comes Dollars

DALLAS CENTER, IOWA - It's been fun witnessing the flurry of activity the RRVT extension into Dallas Center has already created.  The restaurants in town can likely attest to the extra revenues trail users are already bringing to town, even with just the short six mile stretch that's been completed from Waukee to Dallas Center this past autumn.  It's not unusual to see several bikes parked outside the local cafe and ice cream shop at any given time.  I anticipate this is only a taste of what's to come, once the entire loop of the Raccoon River Valley Trail is completed through Dallas and Guthrie Counties by this coming autumn.  It's exciting to think about what other businesses might be opening in the small communities along the trail in the coming years catering to trail users as Central Iowa continues to become a destination for cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.